Conversation with Angel Studios - 2025-03-26

Key Topics

• Angel Studios' upcoming "King of Kings" animated movie for Easter
• Their direct ticket sales model and data feedback needs
• Current AI implementation progress and opportunities
• Potential consulting arrangement focusing on AI evangelism
• Integration of faith and technology (Christofuturism)
• Possible connections to LDS church for future initiatives
• Media team's vs engineering team's AI adoption differences
• Angel Studios' approach to unifying Christian denominations through content

Action Items

• Create and send proposal for 2-month consulting engagement
• Include hackathon weekend concept in proposal
• Consider involving Travis Oliphant (AI pioneer and LDS member) as guest speaker
• Target beginning of next month for potential start date

Interesting Insights

• Angel Studios sells tickets directly to audiences for data feedback (unlike major studios with $20-25M marketing budgets)
• One team has built an MCP tool for customer support automation
• Their media team has found clearer applications for AI (editing, soundtracks, translations) than engineering
• Angel Studios uses a multi-denomination steering committee to create unifying content
• They occasionally receive requests to white-label their platform for church use

Business Model Notes

• Sell tickets directly through their platform (similar to Fandango)
• Required to add online purchase fees by theaters
• Use presale data (10-15% of total) to optimize marketing and track campaign performance
• "Walk-ups" still represent 85% of theatrical box office

Personal Connections

• Keith has kids who watched early screenings of their new movie
• Team values deadline-driven sprints and clear objectives
• Has considered taking engineers to an Airbnb for two-week innovation periods
• Located in Provo, Utah (about an hour from Salt Lake City)

Current AI Implementation

• Most team members using Cursor or similar AI assistants for coding
• Weekly "AI deep dives" happening but need more structure
• Customer support MCP tool handling simple tickets (cancellations, etc.)
• Want to expand to theater reservation management and privacy requests
• Media team further along with AI implementation than engineering

Potential Consulting Structure

• 2-month initial engagement rather than full-time position
• Focus on evangelism, education and excitement building
• Potentially organize hackathon weekend
• Identify and develop internal AI champions

Side Conversation with Kevin

• Secured consulting deal with Good Party
• Angel Studios deal developing
• Strategy to build reputation as movement engineers
• Potential to consult for LDS church in the future
• Kevin heading to Miami/Puerto Rico with Joseph and his AI crew