Ep 34: Inventing a New Financing Model for Indie Features
Daren Smith on the challenges of independent filmmaking, and a venture capital-inspired financing model for film production
Our 34th episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast is live!
Listen to Episode 34 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year.
In this episode, Kirsty talks to Daren Smith of Craftsman Films, a Utah-based independent producer with four features and multiple seasons of TV under his belt.
Daren shares how he set up Craftsman Films, as an independent studio, and the new $10 million dollar film fund he’s raising, with the goal of producing ten profitable “blockbuster indies.”
He also discusses the challenges of independent filmmaking, including financing, development and distribution, and how he’s addressing these issues through a new model inspired by venture capital structures.
Listen to hear Daren discuss:
The five key challenges of independent filmmaking
Craftsman Films’ new model for indie film financing
How to approach a pitch so that private investors will listen
The importance of building your personal brand
How reaching out on LinkedIn beats cold emailing
Why it’s important for a film fund to have a clear thesis
The difference between asking ‘what’ questions and ‘why’ questions
Listen to Episode 34 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
Follow Daren and his work:
Daren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darentsmith
Daren on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2743912
Craftsman Films: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co
Get your free copy of Blockbuster: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/blockbuster
This Deep Dive interview is hosted by Kirsty Stark and edited by Brandon Boyer.
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This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year.
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