Daren Smith
@darentsmith.bsky.social
Let today be a reminder that we have to demand that our leaders protect our democracy.
July 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Let today be a reminder that we have to demand that our leaders protect our democracy.
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...
www.mobilize.us
July 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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
Jeffries winds down his speech: "We don't work for President Trump ... we work for the American people."
July 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
More of this, please
By their fruits ye shall know them…
7 things everyone should know about Trump's megabill:
Cuts $930 billion from Medicaid
16 million lose health care
Slashes nutrition aid by $186 billion
Less income for bottom 40% of families
Increases debt by $3.3 trillion
$45 billion for immigration jails
Billions for defense contractors
Cuts $930 billion from Medicaid
16 million lose health care
Slashes nutrition aid by $186 billion
Less income for bottom 40% of families
Increases debt by $3.3 trillion
$45 billion for immigration jails
Billions for defense contractors
7 things everyone should know about Trump's megabill
The Republican reconciliation legislation, which Trump calls his "big, beautiful bill," is massive.
popular.info
June 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
By their fruits ye shall know them…
Mike Lee is a disgrace, to the senate and to the state of Utah
June 16, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Mike Lee is a disgrace, to the senate and to the state of Utah
Provo, Utah showing up for No Kings Day
June 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Provo, Utah showing up for No Kings Day
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...
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
www.craftsmanfilms.co
May 6, 2025 at 4:01 AM
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...
I wrote about it here:
www.craftsmanfilms.co/2025s-chaos...
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...
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...
www.youtube.com
March 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
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...
We got real in this episode of Truly Independent
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4...
The Gift Of Time
world.hey.com/daren/the-g...
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
March 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Gift Of Time
world.hey.com/daren/the-g...
world.hey.com/daren/the-g...
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
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
www.craftsmanfilms.co
February 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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
They hit your inbox every Monday
If you want to get the next one, sign up for free at 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:
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:
February 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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:
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)
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)
February 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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)
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.
If you’re ready to grow your business, build authority, and monetize your podcast, this FREE summit is for you.
February 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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.
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!
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!
February 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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!
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...
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...
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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...
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...
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: 🧵👇
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: 🧵👇
January 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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: 🧵👇
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:
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:
January 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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:
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 :)
Hit me up, would love to connect while you're here :)
January 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Who's in town for Sundance?
Hit me up, would love to connect while you're here :)
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.
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.
January 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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.
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...
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
www.the-numbers.com
January 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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...
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...
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...
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.
www.craftsmanfilms.co
January 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
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...
will change how you think about the obstacles in your path as you try and make your film
youtu.be/oFgnOnQK_Go...