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PODCAST

Off The Lot

Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp

Off The Lot is where serious indie filmmakers level up. Hosted by Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp, this podcast goes beyond the fluff to deliver real, hard-earned lessons from the frontlines of independent filmmaking. Each episode is a masterclass—featuring directors, producers, and creatives who are in the trenches, making movies happen without a safety net. If you want actionable insights, unfiltered conversations, and the blueprint to build your own career outside the studio system—this is the

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

52:59

Is Film School Worth It? Former Vancouver Film School...

Off The Lot ·

2025/07/25

Thinking about film school? Or wondering if you should skip it and just make a movie?🎓 In this episode, filmmaker and former Vancouver Film School department head Bob Woolsey breaks down:What film school actually teaches you (and what it doesn’t)Why networking and teamwork beat theory every timeWhether a $30,000 tuition is worth the ROIHow to break into the industry without formal educationWhy your attitude might matter more than your talent🎥 Bob’s been in the trenches for over 15 years — as a

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01:14:33

Jason Mills: The Ultimate Micro-Budget Filmmaker...

Off The Lot ·

2025/06/27

This week, we sit down with Vancouver indie legend Jason Mills—the one-man movie machine behind 18 feature films, including They Came From the Attic (picked up by Lionsgate UK). Jason talks about his DIY filmmaking roots, how he turns micro-budgets into maximum impact, and why passion beats permission every time.He breaks down:How to shoot a feature film in 5 daysWhy AI shouldn't replace you, but can empower youThe myth of waiting for the perfect budgetWhy YouTube is his ultimate distribution

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01:10:01

How a Sundance Rejection Sparked a Film Revolution |...

Off The Lot ·

2025/06/20

What do you do when Sundance says no? If you're Dan Mirvish—you start your own damn festival.In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of Slamdance Film Festival and self-proclaimed “cheerful subversive” Dan Mirvish. From launching the careers of Christopher Nolan and the Russo Brothers, to literally forcing the Oscars to change their rules, Dan’s career is a masterclass in indie film rebellion.🏆 This episode is sponsored by Peliplat – where passionate minds meet. Enter their monthly writing

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01:20:44

From Netflix To Indie Horror—Ken Kabatoff’s Journey...

Off The Lot ·

2025/06/06

Award-winning writer, director, and co-host Ken Kabatoff takes the hot seat in this deeply personal episode of Off The Lot. From his breakout work on Netflix’s Travelers to receiving the DGC BC Emerging Greenlight Award for his short The Doukhobor, Ken walks us through the grit, the pivots, and the relentless drive that got him here.Now, with his debut feature Remnant on the horizon, Ken shares the hard math of indie film production, the challenge of breaking through the noise, and the strategy

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01:04:36

Mike Johnston Was Named a Producer To Watch—And He’s...

Off The Lot ·

2025/05/30

In this jam-packed episode, we sit down with producer Mike Johnston—co-founder of Studio 104 Entertainment—for a deep dive into the creative chaos, financial finesse, and straight-up grit it takes to be an indie producer in Canada.From rat-infested film school basements to launching films at Hot Docs and getting national theatrical releases, Mike takes us through the real behind-the-scenes of building a production company from scratch. We talk about the film that made him fall in love with the craft

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59:13

Your Burning Questions Answered: From Indie Film...

Off The Lot ·

2025/05/02

Ever wondered what happens when a plane literally crashes into your film set? Or how filmmakers actually find money to make their movies? Ken and Anthony rip open the vault in this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, answering the questions that keep indie filmmakers up at night. From the "friends and family" funding reality check to the technical skills that actually matter (spoiler: it's not what film school taught you), this episode is packed with battle-tested wisdom from directors who are making

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01:10:13

The Secret Weapon of Filmmaking: How Costume Design...

Off The Lot ·

2025/02/28

Ever wondered how costumes shape storytelling? Or how a designer goes from styling indie films to crafting iconic looks for hit TV shows?This week we sit down with Mandi Line, the powerhouse costume designer behind Pretty Little Liars, Travelers, The Young and the Restless, and some of the wildest rock music videos of the 2000s (think Linkin Park, Korn, and System of a Down). Mandi shares her raw, no-BS journey from indie films to Hollywood, the intense grind of working on soap operas, and why

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01:06:33

The Indie Filmmaker’s Guide to Directing Hallmark...

Off The Lot ·

2025/02/21

Hallmark movies and indie films are more alike than you think. While these films may be known for their feel-good romance and holiday cheer, behind the scenes, they run like indie films—tight schedules, small budgets, and fast-paced productions.To break it all down, we sit down with Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, a seasoned actor-turned-director who made the leap behind the camera to helm character-driven Hallmark films. You might know Crystal from Signed, Sealed, Delivered and Primeval: New World, but

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01:27:52

Joshua Caldwell | How To Go From No-Budget Filmmaker...

Off The Lot ·

2025/02/14

How do you make a feature film for just $6,000 and turn it into a career? In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Caldwell (Layover, Infamous, Mending the Line) to break down his indie filmmaking journey—from shooting his first feature Layover on a micro-budget to directing multiple films with Hollywood talent.Instagram@offthelotpod@ken_kabatoff@epptri@joshuacaldwelldirector

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01:30:50

Laura Adkin | From Actor To Director: How To Make a...

Off The Lot ·

2025/02/07

In this episode of Off The Lot, we sit down with writer-director Laura Adkin to discuss her indie feature film Re:Uniting (2023). From securing funding to assembling a cast and navigating the challenges of indie filmmaking, Laura shares her journey and hard-earned lessons.💡 If you’re an indie filmmaker looking for inspiration, insight, and practical advice on making a feature film happen no matter what, this episode is for you!Instagram@ken_kabatoff@epptri@lauraadkin

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01:02:29

Episode 3: Big Ideas, Small Budgets | How To Set Your...

Off The Lot ·

2025/01/31

In this episode, Ken and Anthony discuss the essential role of storytelling in indie filmmaking and how your script can make or break your film. Drawing from their own experiences, they dive into:Writing to your resources and making the most of what you have. Why character and theme are key to creating a compelling story. Lessons from films like Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Outfit on achieving big impact with small budgets. The importance of refining your script and getting

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01:09:25

Episode 02: “The Stickman's Hollow” Director Jack...

Off The Lot ·

2025/01/24

This week, Ken and Anthony sit down with Jack Cox (director) and Cole Hewlett (producer) to talk about their incredible microbudget horror film, The Stickman’s Hollow. Made on a $30,000 budget, this found footage feature captures the eerie tale of Clara Hall, a child allegedly suffering from demonic possession, told through four chilling perspectives.🎥 In this episode, we cover: - How Jack and Cole developed the concept. - Turning a short film into a proof of concept for the feature. - Challenges

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01:08:13

Episode 01: Be Your Own Gatekeeper

Off The Lot ·

2025/01/17

Welcome to Off The Lot! Episode 01: Be Your Own Gatekeeper In the debut episode, your hosts Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp introduce you to Off the Lot, a podcast diving into the wild world of indie filmmaking. Whether you’re an industry pro, a budding filmmaker, or just curious about how movies come together, this podcast is your backstage pass. Ken and Anthony share their journeys into filmmaking, the lessons they’ve learned, and why they believe now is the perfect time to take on independent

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00:00:59

Off The Lot Trailer

Off The Lot ·

2025/01/15

Off The Lot is your backstage pass to the world of indie filmmaking. Hosts Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp break down the art and hustle of making films on your own terms, chat with indie creators from around the world, and inspire you to take the leap and tell your story. New episodes every week.

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14 results

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