034: Deep Dive with Daren Smith: Inventing a New Financing Model for Indie Features

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.---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.---Listen to hear Daren discuss:The five key challenges of independent filmmakingCraftsman Films’ new model for indie film financingHow to approach a pitch so that private investors will listenThe importance of building your personal brandHow reaching out on LinkedIn beats cold emailingWhy it’s important for a film fund to have a clear thesisThe difference between asking ‘what’ questions and ‘why’ questionsFollow Daren and his work:Daren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darentsmithDaren on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2743912Craftsman Films: https://www.craftsmanfilms.coGet your free copy of Blockbuster: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/blockbuster ---This Deep Dive interview is hosted by ⁠⁠Kirsty Stark and edited by Brandon Boyer.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠---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.