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PODCAST

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast

Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp

Off The Lot is where serious indie filmmakers level up. Hosted by Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp, this podcast delivers 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 show.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

01:04:20

Nat Boltt — 10 Years To Make Holy Days & The Broken...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/08/31

Writer-director Nat Boltt joins Off The Lot to break down the decade-long journey behind her feature directorial debut, Holy Days.The film stars Judy Davis, Jacki Weaver and Miriam Margolyes, topped the box office in New Zealand, and went on to a global theatrical release — but getting there meant surviving years of development, financing setbacks, international co-production challenges, lost investors and an ambitious 26-day shoot.Nat takes us inside how she landed her cast, navigated funding

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01:04:16

Are Movie Theaters Actually Making a Comeback?

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/07/26

Movie theaters aren’t dying. In fact, more people are buying tickets—and the films succeeding are challenging several assumptions Hollywood has made over the last decade.In this episode of Off The Lot, we examine why theatrical admissions are rising, how longer release windows and a stronger supply of original movies are rebuilding the moviegoing habit, and why audiences no longer simply “go to the movies”—they choose one specific film worth leaving home to see.We also break down one of the most

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01:15:33

Mayumi Yoshida on Making Akashi and Changing...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/07/20

Mayumi Yoshida spent nine years turning a deeply personal idea into her first feature film, Akashi—writing, directing, producing, and starring in a story that crosses generations, countries, and languages.In this episode, Mayumi reveals how a conversation with her grandmother evolved from a stage play into an award-winning short and, eventually, a critically acclaimed feature. She also breaks down the fight to finance an 80% Japanese-language Canadian film—and how she and a coalition of filmmakers

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01:13:16

What Film Investors Actually Want In Your Pitch Deck

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/07/13

Most filmmakers build pitch decks around the movie they want to make. But an investor is looking at your project through a completely different lens:How do I get my money back—and what protects my downside?In Episode 57 of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Furey break down what an effective indie film investor deck actually needs to accomplish.We discuss:• The difference between a creative pitch deck and an investor deck• What private film investors actually need to understand• How to explain

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01:04:07

Corey Payette on Turning Stage Musicals Into...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/07/06

Corey Payette did not wait for a studio to give him permission.He built his stories on stage, proved them in front of live audiences, and then turned them into award-nominated films — including Star Walker, which earned 10 Leo Award nominations.In this episode of Off The Lot, Corey breaks down how he went from theatre, music, and original Indigenous storytelling into feature filmmaking, how Star Walker evolved from a stage musical and TV series development process into a feature film, and what it

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01:01:07

Telefilm, Gatekeepers & The Financial Reality of...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/06/29

Anthony Epp sits down with Ken Kabatoff for a candid conversation about the recent changes to Telefilm Canada's development funding, the challenges facing emerging Canadian filmmakers, and the growing need to balance creative ambition with financial sustainability.They reflect on networking, content creation, building an audience, and why long-term careers are built through persistence rather than overnight success.Listen now for an honest discussion about filmmaking, funding, creative resilience,

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01:19:19

Remnant, Obsession, and The New Path For Filmmakers

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/06/22

Anthony Epp and Ken Kabatoff discuss two of the biggest stories in independent filmmaking right now: the debate over crew compensation on breakout indie hits and the growing influence of YouTube creators in the film industry.Using the success of Obsession as a starting point, they explore backend points, producer risk, union protections, and what filmmakers and crew members can realistically expect from low-budget productions. They also examine how creators like Curry Barker, Kane Parsons,

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49:07

Inside The Test Screening: Remnant

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/05/04

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony reflects on the intensity of his current horror shoot — managing complex elements like fire, special effects, and working with animals, all within tight production constraints. He highlights how the genre demands precision in both timing and execution, and why capturing multiple variations on set is essential to support the edit.Ken shares insights from a recent test screening of Remnant, describing the experience as challenging but invaluable. He emphasizes

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41:21

Directing As An Assistant Director

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/04/27

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp reflects on how working as a first assistant director has become one of the most valuable forms of training for his growth as a filmmaker.Drawing from his current experience on Sundowning, he explores the relationship between directing and production — not just creating a vision, but understanding how to execute it within real limits of time and budget. He highlights how the AD role offers a unique vantage point on set, where creative and logistical

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31:10

Special Episode: Eyes on the Floor - What Assistant...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/04/06

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp takes a solo deep dive into the role of the assistant director — unpacking how films actually come together in the final stages of pre-production.Using his 20 plus years of experience, he breaks down the critical alignment between script, budget, and schedule, and how a screenplay transforms from a creative document into a logistical blueprint for every department. The conversation explores the AD–director relationship, the importance of early

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49:24

Build the Career You Can Control

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/03/30

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp breaks down what it actually means to start a career in the film industry — especially when you’re starting from zero or coming in later in life.They explore the mindset shift from waiting for permission to taking control, using a stoic framework to focus on what’s within your control: the quality of your work, consistency, collaboration, and preparation. The conversation challenges the idea of “breaking in” through luck, festivals, or gatekeepers, and

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54:25

Building Canadian TV That Travels: Erin Haskett On...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/03/23

In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp sit down with veteran producer Erin Haskett to unpack the evolving landscape of television — from linear broadcast to the streaming-first era.They explore how audience behavior has reshaped storytelling, why pilots matter more than ever, and the challenge of hooking viewers in the first minutes of an episode. The conversation dives into the balance between creative vision and market realities, the role of the producer as both storyteller

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35:53

Behind The Scenes of Remnant Week 2! Indie Film Now...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/02/23

In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp check in at the end of week two of production on Remnant — officially crossing the halfway mark of the shoot.They unpack working with veteran actor Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy, Waterworld), what it’s like directing a performer with 40+ years of experience, and how preparation — without rehearsal days — becomes critical on an indie schedule. Ken reflects on adapting his directing style to different actors, capturing multiple tonal

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24:21

Special Episode: How To Find A Private Investor

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/02/09

In Episode 5 of Season 2 of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp goes solo while Ken Kabatoff wraps the first week of production on Remnant.Anthony uses the episode to pull back the curtain on a part of filmmaking many creators avoid: raising money. He shares a candid breakdown of his current sprint to finance The Quiet Canadians, reframing fundraising as direct action instead of endless preparation, refinement, or “pseudo-activity.”The episode focuses on mindset shifts, investor outreach, and why real progress

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40:28

The Devil’s In The Details: Remnant Pre-Production...

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/01/26

In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp share updates from the front lines of indie filmmaking, including early details on the psychological thriller Blue Box.They discuss investor strategy, why genre matters, and the importance of building sustainable, repeatable paths to get films made outside traditional systems.The episode also checks in on pre-production for Ken’s horror feature Remnant, covering department coordination, planning challenges, and the constant balance between

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46:32

Making of "Remnant": Pre-Production Week 1!

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

2026/01/19

Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp dive into the early realities of getting a film off the ground — from reclaiming responsibility over financing to stepping into the chaos of official pre-production.They discuss stepping back from oversubscribed government funding programs to focus on private investors, brand partners, and audience-building, and why waiting for permission can stall momentum.The episode then breaks down the first week of pre-production on Ken’s horror feature Remnant, covering script

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52:59

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

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

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: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

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: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

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: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast ·

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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30 results

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