Let today be a reminder that we have to demand that our leaders protect our democracy.
Daren Smith
@darentsmith.bsky.social
Indie film producer | Owner - Craftsman Films | GP at Producer.Fund https://CraftsmanFilms.co
I'm attending No Kings's event, “One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism · No Kings
Across the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous. Trump and his allies are not hiding their agenda: mass deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and f...
mobilize.us
Mike Lee is a disgrace, to the senate and to the state of Utah
You've heard of Trump's "Foreign Film Tariff" announcement by now. But do you have the context for why such things are happening in this moment? I wrote about it here: www.craftsmanfilms.co/2025s-chaos...
2025's Chaos Isn't Random. It's Right On Schedule.
What feels like unprecedented chaos in 2025 actually follows a predictable pattern. For months, I had been trying to make sense of the accelerating chaos around us. Each day seemed to bring more institutional collapse, more uncertainty, more evidence that things were unraveling at an alarming rate. I found myself
craftsmanfilms.co
Yes, filmmaking is hard. But it's not so hard that it's not worth it. We got real in this episode of Truly Independent www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4...
S2 EP15 | Funding Challenges, and Industry Realities
In this episode of 'Truly Independent,' hosts Darren Smith and Garrett Batty dive deep into the intricate process of independent filmmaking. Darren updates l...
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Play The Long Game world.hey.com/daren/play-...
Play The Long Game
There are two paths in creative business: chase quick wins, or build lasting value. Here's why I'm choosing the latter. Disney started with a single animated short. Today, they own the IP of hundreds of their own films, as well those from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. That's what playing the long game looks like. Most filmmakers chase ...
world.hey.com
The Gift Of Time world.hey.com/daren/the-g...
The Gift Of TIme
I sat across from a filmmaker who was trying to get their project funded. "I don't get it," they said, frustration etching lines around their eyes. "Everyone says it's great. The pitch deck is solid. Why isn't it happening?" I asked a simple question: "How long have you been actively pitching?" Their answer: "Three months. Isn't that e...
world.hey.com
Each week I write essays to help you learn how to (profitably) invest in indie films They hit your inbox every Monday If you want to get the next one, sign up for free at craftsmanfilms.co
Craftsman Films
LEARN HOW TO PROFITABLY INVEST IN INDEPENDENT FILM
craftsmanfilms.co
How do you find a story worthy of the big screen? Investors ask me this all the time when I'm telling them about Producer Fund - "how are you finding and selecting projects?" I've got two criteria:
Even the mid-tier studios understand this principle The more you take responsibility for, the greater the upside Amazon MGM Studios is expanding their business to include an international business arm - meaning rather than relying on Warner Bros (and splitting the profits with them)
Today is the day! The Pod Profits Summit 2025 starts soon, and you don’t want to miss it. If you’re ready to grow your business, build authority, and monetize your podcast, this FREE summit is for you.
Weekend thoughts... There are people who have large audiences because of what they do *on* the platform And there are people who have large audiences because of what they do *off* of the platform I want to be the latter Have a great weekend everyone!
This is bonkers: Brandon Sanderson (yes, THE Brandon Sanderson) is filming and sharing his lectures from his writing class at our Alma Mater BYU For free. On the internet. Check it out: youtu.be/MEUh_y1IFZY...
The Philosophy of Professional Writing: Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture #1 (2025)
Brandon Sanderson's iconic writing course is back for a new 2025 edition. Come one, come all, class is in session for aspiring fantasy and science fiction wr...
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Filmmakers, this is a must-read 🎬 In a conversation between Daniel Priestley and Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO, Daniel shared a game-changing model for climbing the ladder in any industry And it applies perfectly to filmmaking Here’s the breakdown: 🧵👇
Want to make progress on your film in the next 90 days? Try this: Find an accountability partner - someone else who has a big milestone (raising money, attaching and packaging, production, distribution) that they want to achieve in the next 3 months Then partner with them:
Who's in town for Sundance? Hit me up, would love to connect while you're here :)
Here are 4 ways to get a hold of me: 1 - "Pick my brain" I don't always have time to say yes to every (any) request to "pick my brain", but I don't like saying no.
Looking for a distributor for your film? Here are two thoughts: 1 - talk to them *before* you go into production Finding a partner early on will help you navigate the marketplace and make a movie that will sell 2 - go to this website: www.the-numbers.com/market/dist...
Distributors Movie Breakdown 1995-2025
Distributors Movie Breakdown 1995-2025
the-numbers.com
Why did we stop investing in indie film? When did it become content to fill digital library shelves? Why is it harder now to get into film than it was before? I have some thoughts: craftsmanfilms.co/invest-in-i...
Invest In Indie Film
A Manifesto We messed up. We stopped investing in indie film. But we shouldn’t have. It feels amazing to discover a new independent voice at a festival or on your TV at home. To connect with a story that wouldn’t – couldn’t – have been told any other way.
craftsmanfilms.co
This convo with Jewel Powell on her experience writing, producing, and directing her feature film “Unfailing Love” will change how you think about the obstacles in your path as you try and make your film youtu.be/oFgnOnQK_Go...
S2 EP7 | Meeting with independent Filmmakers
Jewel Powell's Faith-Fueled Filmmaking JourneyIn this episode of 'Truly Independent,' hosts Garrett Batty and Darren Smith kick off the new year with guest J...
youtube.com
"What are you looking for as a producer?" This question came up quite a bit in the last two weeks I was lucky to be on the panel at the Utah Film Festival pitch session, and I didn't have an answer that people liked... "I'm making films that change people for good..."
The topic I get asked about the most is fundraising for film projects How do you do it? Better yet, how do you master it?? Here’s an entire episode dedicated to helping you learn the craft of fundraising Give it a watch or listen, then let me know what questions you have!
WTF is a film waterfall? You may have heard the term "recoupment waterfall" before if you invest (or want to invest) in indie films But getting a clear description of what it is and how it works can be hard to find
Want to learn from a 4x independent producer...for free? Tomorrow I'm hosting the first live Q&A call for members of my email list After this month's call, they'll be reserved for just the paid members of my community
