We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danny Machado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danny below.

Danny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I was actually very fortunate to make money from film before I even knew I loved it. I just thought it’d be cool to work on a show when I got a job as an extra and on that set fell in love with filmmaking. I was then able to continue working as an extra, pa and grip. The first time I made money off a film I created was a weird one. I actually won a film festival cash prize for an experimental film I randomly put together just 3 mins long I think but I was fortunate enough to have a friend quickly compose a song for it, I think that set it apart.
Ultimately, we get to Danny Machado LLC and the company’s first dollar earned actually came in late 2022 when we were fortunate enough to sell a tv series to an amazing company. I guess I kind of see it as different phases but I think whether you’re performing on the street or in the Olympics you can monetize along each step, in unique ways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Currently, I’m a film producer but along the journey I’ve wore several hats on and off set. My focus right now is Danny Machado LLC in our first year we’ve been able to publish our new book “First Generation Filmmaker”, sell a tv show and begin development on several projects. I’d like people to buy the book if they’re looking to get in to Hollywood and reach out if they have a great story. I’m eager to tell stories that impact the world and spark conversation.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

People often see Hollywood and filmmaking like some crazy dream world. At the end of the day it’s a business like all other methods of creativity. If you have a passion for art find a way that it can provide others value and people will rally around it. That’s not to say you just make a business plan and you make it but if you have a plan and determination… I like your odds!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Pursuing a passion, a dream… while having a day job, traveling, building a family… it’s tough. It’s difficult to strike a balance and even more difficult is staying motivated when the world is telling you no. I don’t have a specific story that I’m ready to share but I’ve struggled with poverty, films never being completed, bad contracts, arguments, theft(literally had a set robbed once)… the list is endless and I’ve had many nights when I swore I’d given up but as long as you don’t… the dream lives on!

Contact Info:

• Website: DANNYMACHADO.com
• Instagram: @machadofilm
• Linkedin: @machadodanny
• Twitter: @machado_film
• Youtube: @machadofilm
• Other: Book available on Amazon!

Image Credits
Photo Editor: Emily Machado