Daren Smith

Let today be a reminder that we have to demand that our leaders protect our democracy.

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...

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...

More of this, please

By their fruits ye shall know them…

Mike Lee is a disgrace, to the senate and to the state of Utah

Provo, Utah showing up for No Kings Day

Maybe only once per day

Thanks so much for sharing 🙏🏻

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...

Have you tried using Lex.page? I don’t know your workflow specifics but I’ve done lots of long-form writing with it

In this episode of 'Truly Independent,' hosts Darren Smith and Garrett Batty dive deep into the intricate process of independent filmmaking. Darren updates l... S2 EP15 | Funding Challenges, and Industry Realities

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...

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 ...

Play The Long Game

world.hey.com/daren/play-...

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...

The Gift Of Time
world.hey.com/daren/the-g...

Tension Seeks Resolution We don't buy products. We buy the resolution of tension. I discovered a simple truth watching two identical film pitches play out with drastically different results. The successful one raised millions...

Tension seeks resolution

world.hey.com/daren/tensio...

16 minutes Some facts and assertions about healthcare (particularly in the US) and then an outline of a change agent that could improve health, perhaps dramatically. We spend an enormous amount of time and mo…

Paging @mcuban.bsky.social

seths.blog/2025/02/16-m...

Craftsman Films LEARN HOW TO PROFITABLY INVEST IN INDEPENDENT FILM

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

How to find a story worthy of the big screen I've been at a number of film festivals and have received hundreds of pitches over the years as a producer. Being able to tell a great story apart from...something else...is an important skill. Often what happens is that a filmmaker has a great idea for a scene, or

It all comes down to personal taste, and defining the criteria for myself. I don't recommend you choose the same criteria as me, but that you come up with your own

This recent blog post will help: www.craftsmanfilms.co/how-to-find...

1. Is there leverage somewhere in the project? Essentially - can I produce it for less than anyone else can?
2. Do I feel compelled to make this film?

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:

Amazon MGM Studios Plans International Distribution Division Amazon MGM Studios is looking to launch its own international theatrical distribution arm, TheWrap has learned.

So how are you expected to make any money as a filmmaker? Do more of it yourself.

www.thewrap.com/amazon-mgm-...

- The theater chains take 50-60% of box office sales
- A distributor takes 20-40%
- A sales agent takes 15-30%
- The investors get 50% of net returns
- Each actor who negotiated a producer credit gets 5-10 points on the backend

They will handle it all themselves

The same principle applies to indie filmmakers - the more you take responsibility for, the greater the upside

Every time you bring on a new sales agent, marketing firm, distributor, lendor, or partner, you potentially give away a chunk of the returns

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)

With 37+ experts sharing their best strategies, you’ll walk away with the tools to take your podcasting game to the next level.

📲 Grab your free ticket now!

podprofitssummit.com/registratio...

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!

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... The Philosophy of Professional Writing: Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture #1 (2025)

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...

That book and Key Person of Influence were game changers for me over the last two years

Craftsman Films Producing profitable films and creating a truly independent film ecosystem

(PPS - I'm hosting monthly live Q&A sessions over zoom with a group of amazing filmmakers

If you'd like to join us, the first one is free! Just join at craftsmanfilms.co and I'll send you the link.

Daniel Priestley is an award-winning serial entrepreneur who has built the entrepreneur accelerator company Dent Global and co-founded the quiz marketing pla... The Money Making Expert (NEW): The 7,11,4 Hack That Turns $1 Into $10K Per Month! Daniel Priestley

PS - Here's the link to the chat between Daniel and Steven

youtu.be/sFkR34AMPw8...