iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

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

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

By their fruits ye shall know them…

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

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

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Provo, Utah showing up for No Kings Day

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Thanks so much for sharing 🙏🏻

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

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

lex.page

Lex

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

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

craftsmanfilms.co

Craftsman Films

LEARN HOW TO PROFITABLY INVEST IN INDEPENDENT FILM

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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?

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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:

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

- 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

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

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

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

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)

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

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...

podprofitssummit.com

Join Us for the 2025 Podcasting Profits Summit!

Join Pod Profits Summit 2025 (Feb 4-7) and learn from 37+ experts how to grow your audience, monetize your podcast, and build your brand. Free event!

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

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.

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

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!

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

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...

youtube.com

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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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

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

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

(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.

craftsmanfilms.co

Craftsman Films

Producing profitable films and creating a truly independent film ecosystem

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Yes, Ted Sarandos and Netflix are outliers But the framework is universal The real questions are: 👉 How can you move from Level 1 to Level 2? 👉 From Level 2 to 3 or 4? Take a moment to consider it - it could change your career What do you think? Let me know in the replies!

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Netflix itself is the ultimate Level 4 company: • IP: Original films & shows • Media: Global distribution • Data: Millions of user insights • Software: The largest streaming platform All packaged into a public company worth $400B.

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

In 2000, Ted joined Netflix. That leap gave him ownership—moving him into Level 2 & 3. As Netflix grew, so did his wealth. Today, he’s one of Netflix’s largest shareholders, earning $50M annually, with a net worth of $240M.

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Let’s use Ted Sarandos (Netflix’s co-CEO) as an example: He started at Level 1 in the early '80s, working at a video rental store He climbed the ranks, eventually managing 500 stores Still Level 1: trading time for money

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Level 4: Financial Assets The final level? Packaging everything - your IP, media, data, and software - into a business A company that generates revenue and builds equity Here, the business itself becomes valuable - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Level 3: Data & Software This level is all about platforms and data Think email lists, streaming platforms, rental services The more you know about your audience, the better you can serve them - and the more leverage you have to grow

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Level 2: IP & Media To level up, you need ownership This means creating your own stories, films, or scripts When you own the work, you can license it, sell it, or build on it - disconnecting your income from your time The key? Move from working for owners to becoming one

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Level 1: Skilled Labor This is where most people start - working crew jobs, editing, or running a theater You’re trading time for money Even if you’re really skilled (think A-list actor charging millions), you’re still getting paid based on hours worked ZERO leverage

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

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: 🧵👇

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

I host monthly live Q&A calls for filmmakers as well You can come to your first one for free Sign up (for free) at craftsmanfilms.co and I'll send you the link

craftsmanfilms.co

Craftsman Films

Producing profitable films and creating a truly independent film ecosystem

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

If you need help finding someone to do this with, post in the comments Share your role and the project milestone you're trying to reach next Then come back over the next few days and connect with people to find a partner You can even do it in groups of 3-4 people if you want

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Then spend the last five minutes asking any follow up questions or sharing your thoughts on the other partner's plan If you commit to do this each day and each week, it's near impossible not to make progress

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Each day, you have to text the other person with an update on what you did that day to make progress toward your goal Then meet once a week - say Monday morning - and do a 15 minute call Each of you give a five minute update on what you plan to do this week

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

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:

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Who's in town for Sundance? Hit me up, would love to connect while you're here :)

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

(PS - if you want to join us at the next live Q&A call, just join the email list and I'll send you the info. First call is free, after that you'll need to be a paid member :) craftsmanfilms.co

craftsmanfilms.co

Craftsman Films

Producing profitable films and creating a truly independent film ecosystem

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

If you want to connect with someone, show that you're someone they want to connect with That's it. That's the secret. I'm grateful for the film community I've found here and am excited to watch it grow over the year

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

This all applies to more than just me You can offer to pay for anyone's time. I've done that many times over the years and have had meals or calls with some of the top indie producers and filmmakers out there (Not all of them make it as easy as sharing links on the internet ;)

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Learn what I'm doing and spending my time and money on And contribute value there The people I've connected with in this way over the last year are ALL taking action every day on their projects Rather than hoping that I'm the magic key that unlocks their career for them

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Daren Smith @darentsmith.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

5 - Bonus! What about a free option? Well, same principle applies. Spend time where I'm spending time Comment on LinkedIn (don't just send a connection request and pitch me in the first DM...) Form a real connection Subscribe to my blog for free (craftsmanfilms.co)

craftsmanfilms.co

Craftsman Films

Producing profitable films and creating a truly independent film ecosystem

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