Daryn Tufts

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Daryn Tufts
Born April 1, 1973 (1973-04-01) (age 35)
Arcadia, California, United States
Occupation Writer, Producer, Director, Actor
Official website

Daryn Tufts (born April 1, 1973 in Arcadia, California) is a writer, director, producer, and actor. Best known for his acting in LDS cinema, Tufts’ writing, producing and directing credits include national feature films, documentaries, and television commercials. Tufts has also performed and taught sketch comedy and improvisational comedy with several professional comedy troupes.

Contents

[edit] Education

After graduating from high school in Santa Clarita Valley, California, Tufts received a degree in Journalism from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho and a degree in Marketing Communications from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

[edit] Career

[edit] Live Comedy

While attending BYU, Tufts joined The Garrens Comedy Troupe[1][2], a popular sketch and improvisational troupe that performed live shows to often sold-out audiences nearly every weekend. It was on The Garrens that Tufts got his first professional experience writing and performing for paying audiences and was involved with the troupe for over two years. After graduation, Tufts was asked to help launch the Utah chapter of ComedySportz, a national improvisational comedy franchise. Tufts acted in Provo as the first improvisational teacher for the new cast and principle cast member for live shows. Tufts performed with ComedySportz for two years.

[edit] Writing

During this time, Tufts began his career as a professional writer, writing commercials and other forms or marketing, advertising, and promotions for advertising agencies and production companies[3][4][5]. Soon after, he began to experiment with longer forms of writing, including screenplays and novels.

[edit] LDS Cinema

Tufts’ film career began in 2002 with the release of The Singles Ward , regarded as the first LDS comedy feature film. Tufts played the role of Eldon, the Franklin Day Planner enthusiast and acted as script doctor, writing and editing several scenes in the film’s script. The Singles Ward was a box office success that launched the genre of LDS comedies as well as Tufts’ acting career.

After The Singles Ward, Tufts went on to appear in the films The R.M., The Home Teachers, Church Ball, and The Singles 2nd Ward, the sequel to the 2002 film.

[edit] American Mormon

In 2004, Tufts began working on American Mormon, his first documentary. Partnering with local actor and businessman Jed Knudsen, Tufts began traveling across the United States, shooting the documentary. American Mormon was shot in Washington D.C., New York City, New Orleans, Memphis, Las Vegas Los Angeles and other locations. Tufts, on camera, approached random people. Upon their consent, Tufts interviewed these people, “man on the street” style with one objective: find out what people across the United States know about the Mormons. After several weeks of traveling and shooting, Tufts and Knudsen began to compile the footage which would become a comedic cross-section of people from all over the country.

Released by Excel Entertainment Group in 2005, American Mormon took a unique look at the LDS religion and culture from an outside point of view. Upon the success of the documentary, Excel partnered with Tufts and Knudsen to produce a sequel - American Mormon in Europe. For it, the two men traveled all over Western Europe, including Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Their goal this time was to find out what people from different parts of the world knew about the Mormons. However, Tufts and Knudsen also decided to add a new element to this documentary. All over Europe, the two men also talked, on camera, with members of the LDS faith to document the experiences of people who are members of the LDS church outside of the United States. This included an in-depth discussion with LDS members who lived in West and East Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down and a visit to the Gadfield Elm Chapel, the oldest LDS chapel on earth, in Herefordshire, England.

American Mormon in Europe was released by Excel in 2006.

[edit] Stalking Santa

In 2006, Tufts released Stalking Santa, his first national feature film that was not associated with any LDS characters, references, or themes. The film was a comedy centered around a man’s obsession to scientifically prove the existence of Santa Claus. Daryn acted as screenwriter and co-producer of the project while also acting in one of the lead roles.

Stalking Santa was Executive Produced by William Shatner, who also acted as narrator of the film. Greg Kiefer, the other Executive Producer, directed the film through Cosmic Pictures in Salt Lake City, Utah.

[edit] The Questar Gas Energy WiseGuy

Currently, Tufts can also been seen across the state of Utah as Therm: The Questar Gas Energy Wiseguy[6][7] (official Questar Gas Spokesperson)

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Actor

  • The Singles 2nd Ward - Eldon (2007)
  • Stalking Santa - Clarence Onstott (2006)
  • American Mormon in Europe - Himself (2006)
  • Church Ball - Misfit Polynesian Basketball Player (2006)
  • American Mormon - Himself (2005)
  • The Home Teachers - Joel {2004)
  • The R.M. - Basketball Player (2003)
  • The Singles Ward - Eldon (2002)

[edit] Writer

  • Stalking Santa (2006)
  • American Mormon in Europe (2006)
  • American Mormon (2005)

[edit] Producer

  • Stalking Santa (2006)
  • American Mormon in Europe (2006)
  • American Mormon (2005)

[edit] Director

  • American Mormon in Europe (2006)

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Guy’s Apartment" by The Garrens Comedy Troupe, Provo, Utah, 1996
  2. ^ “Ditch The Girl" by The Garrens Comedy Troupe, Provo, Utah, 1996
  3. ^ “Keep It Simple" Tivoli - IBM, written by Daryn Tufts
  4. ^ “Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out" Tivoli – IBM, written by Daryn Tufts
  5. ^ “How Important Is Your Vision To You?" The Eye Institute of Utah, written and directed by Daryn Tufts
  6. ^ “ThermWise.com" Questar Gas’ Official Information Site for Conservation Tips and Rebates
  7. ^ “Vote For Therm" Questar Gas Television Commercial, 2008

[edit] External links