After raising $55M in commitments in just 18 days, Angel is ringing the bell on Wall Street and the three founding brothers come on this special episode of The Media Odyssey Podcast for the first time ever!
In this episode, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with the Harmon brothers—Neal, Jeff, and Jordan, founders of Angel—to explore how they’ve turned an outsider’s vision into one of the most disruptive forces in global entertainment. What started as a family-driven mission to create values-based content has evolved into a studio powered by its audience, financed by its community, and structured to give creators a fairer share of success.
The conversation unpacks Angel’s radically different approach to greenlighting, where fans—not executives—decide which films and series move forward. It dives into how the studio has managed to outperform industry peers at the box office without relying on nine-figure budgets, and how its data-driven distribution gives it a marketing edge even the majors haven’t built. Along the way, the Harmons share why they believe cinema is still central to culture, how Angel is preparing to go public under ticker ANGX, and what a future of truly community-owned media could look like.
Key Takeaways: TakeawaysTakeaways
- Going Public Today
Angel officially lists under ticker ANGX, marking a major milestone in its journey from a community-funded experiment to a fully public studio. This IPO signals not just growth, but the next step in building a media company owned and guided by its audience, with a model that blends traditional box office, streaming, and fan-driven funding.
- From Fans to Gatekeepers
Angel’s 1.5M+ Guild members vote on which projects get made, flipping the Hollywood power structure on its head. This audience-led model ensures that projects are chosen by the very people most likely to support them, resulting in a slate that consistently resonates and drives strong audience scores. - Sustainable Box Office Hits
With $416M in box office revenue from just 12 films, Angel is outperforming competitors like A24 on a per-film basis. Instead of chasing tentpole blockbusters, they’ve built a strategy around steady, profitable “base hits” in the $5M–$30M range—proof that community support and precision marketing can rival studio scale. - A Fairer Deal for Creators
Angel offers filmmakers a two-thirds profit share, transparent reporting, and no hidden fees. By rejecting Hollywood’s opaque accounting and Netflix’s cost-plus model, Angel has created an environment where efficiency is rewarded and creators share directly in the upside of their work. - Data as a Superpower
Through direct integrations with 90% of U.S. exhibitors, Angel gets real-time box office data—something no other studio has secured. This allows them to target only the audiences most likely to engage, cutting waste and maximizing impact. It’s a technological edge that turns limited budgets into outsized results.
TMO listeners can receive 20% off Angel's subscription streaming service!
http://www.angel.com/TheMediaOdyssey
Read much more about Angel HERE.
Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8
Connect with us on Linkedin:
Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/
Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/
The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast
Neal Harmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealharmon/
Jeff Harmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyharmon/
Jordan Harmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharmon/
- (00:00) - Introduction to the Media Odyssey Podcast
- (00:12) - Spotlight on Angel
- (00:35) - Marion's First Encounter with Angel
- (00:51) - The Future of Independent Film
- (01:30) - How Angel Came to the Podcast
- (02:08) - Meet the Founders of Angel
- (02:50) - The Origin Story of Angel
- (04:14) - From Marketing to Media: The Early Days
- (08:05) - Crowdfunding and Community Building
- (10:00) - The Angel Guild and Audience Involvement
- (11:03) - Innovative Fundraising and Distribution Strategies
- (18:04) - Building a Tech-Driven Media Platform
- (20:03) - Empowering Employees and Encouraging Innovation
- (24:37) - The Wisdom of the Guild: Audience-Driven Content
- (29:59) - Box Office Success and Data-Driven Decisions
- (35:07) - The Importance of Theaters in Cultural Conversations
- (35:57) - The Power of Community in Cinema
- (36:27) - Theater vs. Streaming: A Unique Experience
- (37:33) - Angel's Release Strategy
- (38:30) - Subscription and Membership Benefits
- (39:29) - Series and Future Projects
- (41:41) - Going Public: The Journey and Vision
- (51:19) - Innovative Filmmaking Model
- (58:14) - International Expansion and Future Plans
- (01:03:07) - Conclusion and Reflections