Filmmaker Strategy Calls
I'm Daren Smith, indie film producer, founder of Craftsman Films, and GP at Producer Fund.
I've produced four feature films, four seasons of television, two TV pilots, and countless short-form projects over my 18+ year career in film.
I also love helping others unlock progress and growth in their lives. That's my "zone of genius" as a producer.
If that's what you'd like help with, keep reading...
• Looking for me to produce your project or help you find money through my network
• Want me to do the work for you
• Aren't willing to take action
• Looking for a silver bullet
Problems I Help With
If you're an executive producer or investor with a project you want to make but haven't been able to find the right producer yet, I can help with that.
If you're a producer, writer, or director who's stuck and doesn't know why, I can help with that.
One of my favorite things in the world is to help filmmakers identify the constraints in their project or business and give them actionable strategies and systems to implement that work.
I've worked with dozens of filmmakers over the years, and thousands of creators through my newsletter, blog, podcasts, and community. In a single, 90-minute call together, we can unlock new growth and progress, give you the exact steps to take to get your outcome, and even help with the mindset shift you'll need to take massive action.
On your strategy call, we will:
- Identify the current constraint in your project or business
- Define the outcome for the next 90 days
- Overcome limiting beliefs and obstacles
- Create a step-by-step map for you to follow
- Share resources to help you find funding, production crew, and distribution
- Empower you to take control and responsibility and make progress every day
Case Studies
Garrett and I have worked together on his last two films. For Faith of Angels, he was trying to raise money for the project but was stuck. He'd only raised $150k toward a $500k budget.
Over a single meeting together, we mapped out a new offer and a new pitch for the movie. He went back to the same initial investor later in the week, gave the new pitch, and ended up with a $1 million budget and a green light for the production of the film.
An EP came to me with a project he'd been trying to move forward for over 30 years. In one week after our initial call, he had made contact with a big name, found a producer for his film, and moved the project forward.
Britt and Michael are a director/producer duo with an amazing horror project. After our strategy call, we crafted a new budget for the film, connected them with a tax-advantaged location and the contacts there, and set up a location scout for the movie.
The project they'd been working on for years now has new momentum, new interest from investors, and a target filming date for production.
An investor came to me with an idea for a TV show and a desire to self-produce a pilot for the show that could be shopped around.
Together, we produced the pilot over a two-day shoot, found a post-production team, and delivered an 8-minute teaser and pilot episode.
The investor then took the teaser around town and had meetings with Disney+, Netflix, NatGeo, and Discovery Channel.
A filmmaker came to me with a project they'd been trying to produce for years, only to be met with no after no.
We expanded the pitch and unlocked the limiting belief that there was only one budget and one way to produce the film. They were then able to connect with a group interested in funding the project and talent interested in the lead roles.
The project received a green light and has a team that can deliver an excellent film.
A filmmaker specializing in outdoor commercial video came to me with a business that wasn't delivering enough revenue to be sustainable for much longer.
We refocused him on a new outcome - getting enough of the right leads to be oversubscribed in his business, where demand outweighed his supply or capacity.
He went from making $2,500 per month to over $10k per month in 90 days and went full-time in his newly profitable business.
Wherever you're stuck, a strategy call can help you get clarity and unlock new momentum in your project or business.
Calls are $500 for 90 minutes or $2,500 for a package of six calls.
Schedule your call below.