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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

43:39

Season Finale! From Studio Sets To Indie Film Hustle

Off The Lot ·

2025/08/15

Eight months. Tons of guests. Countless lessons from the trenches of indie filmmaking. In our Season 1 finale, Ken and Anthony pull back the curtain on their own projects, diving into the wild, unpredictable ride of producing indie films.We talk about:The razor’s edge of indie film financingThe difference (and similarities) between studio & indie filmmakingManifestation, meditation & the mental game of making moviesFinding and working with the right peopleWhy now is the time to make your

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01:11:30

Why Karen Lam Ditched Law To Direct Award-Winning...

Off The Lot ·

2025/08/08

Ready to peek behind the curtain of indie filmmaking? In this electrifying episode, award-winning director Karen Lam (The Curse of Willow Song, Bring It On: Cheer or Die) sits down to unpack her unique journey from entertainment lawyer to horror auteur.Karen dives deep into her latest projects—Armageddon Road, a supernatural thriller blending innovative volume wall tech with old-school miniature effects, and the award-winning short Mrs. Chang’s Perfect Teeth. Along the way, she offers practical

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29:46

BONUS EPISODE! The New Cinephile Clubhouse: Bob...

Off The Lot ·

2025/08/01

What if Letterboxd and a writer's room had a baby—and that baby was raised in a video store by cinephiles? That's Peliplat. And in this bonus episode, Off The Lot fave Bob Woolsey returns to break down exactly why Peliplat might be the next big thing for indie filmmakers and film lovers alike.We dive deep into how Peliplat is building a real community for creatives to:Develop IP in a transparent, collaborative way (yes, even in the age of AI)Share cultural perspectives on film that expand how we

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56:29

How MJ Alhabeeb Jr. Made His Award-Winning Feature...

Off The Lot ·

2025/07/18

In this episode, we're joined by indie filmmaker MJ Alhabeeb Jr., whose debut feature Plight is racking up awards and heading to theaters. MJ takes us through his journey from shooting public access TV at 16, to premiering Plight in the very town where it was shot, to landing distribution with Indie Rights—all on a shoestring budget.We dig deep into:How he made Plight for $60KWhy failing forward mattersWhat filmmakers often get wrong about distributionBuilding a film career without the studio

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00:48

Off The Lot Trailer - Level Up Your Indie Film Career...

Off The Lot ·

2025/07/16

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

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54:02

We Answer Your Toughest Indie Film Questions...

Off The Lot ·

2025/07/11

This week, we’re answering your burning questions—and holding nothing back.Whether you're stuck in development hell, figuring out how to light your film without pro gear, or wondering how to work with (or walk away from) an investor with strings attached—this episode is for you.We cover: 🔥 How to make your indie film look cinematic on a shoestring 💰 The financial model that actually gets investors paid back 🎭 Directing actors (even when you have zero rehearsal time) 🎥 The red flags that should

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46:40

Final Destination: Bloodlines To Freaks Underground:...

Off The Lot ·

2025/07/04

In our first-ever live show, we sit down with the powerhouse duo behind Freaks and the upcoming Freaks Underground — director Zach Lipovsky and cinematographer Stirling Bancroft — to uncover how they pulled off a visually stunning sci-fi indie on a micro-budget and what it takes to keep your voice in this industry.From guerrilla filmmaking in Shaughnessy to shooting volume plates like pros, hear how the team created massive scope on minimal resources, built their careers without waiting for

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01:00:38

From Crew To Director: Anthony Epp’s Indie Filmmaking...

Off The Lot ·

2025/06/13

Join us for a captivating deep dive into the world of indie filmmaking with the multi-talented Anthony Epp! Known for his extensive experience—from directing and producing to script coordinating and lighting—Anthony shares invaluable insights from his diverse career. Hear the fascinating story behind his debut feature, 13 Miles, the triathlon drama that took two years of passionate persistence to complete, and is now streaming on Amazon, Tubi, and Apple TV.Special Thanks to Our Sponsor Peliplat! Are

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01:21:19

The Making of "The Island Between Tides": How Austin...

Off The Lot ·

2025/05/23

Get ready for a filmmaking masterclass as directors Austin Andrews and Andrew Holmes take us behind the scenes of their supernatural thriller "The Island Between Tides" (known as "The Lost Daughter" in the US). This Emmy-winning duo reveals the raw truth about indie filmmaking: the triumphs, the challenges, and everything in between!

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53:28

Indie Film Financing: A Producer's Journey With Amber...

Off The Lot ·

2025/05/16

Producer Amber Ripley pulls back the curtain on independent film financing in Canada, sharing her journey from skeptical film school graduate to successful producer with 11 feature films under her belt.

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51:59

Behind The Cut: Andrew Gust On Editing Apple TV+'s...

Off The Lot ·

2025/05/09

In this captivating conversation, we explore Andrew Gust's impressive career trajectory from Canadian film school to becoming an editor on Apple TV+'s flagship series "The Morning Show," while maintaining his passion for independent cinema.

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01:00:30

Beyond The Gatekeepers: Seed&Spark’s Emily Best On...

Off The Lot ·

2025/04/25

In this game-changing episode, we sit down with Emily Best, the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark who has helped nearly 6,000 indie filmmakers raise OVER $72 MILLION in funding. She drops tactical knowledge about why the traditional film financing model is DEAD and what you need to do RIGHT NOW to build a sustainable filmmaking career.

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01:11:31

Punk Rock Filmmaking: Inside the Festival That Breaks...

Off The Lot ·

2025/04/18

Filmmakers and creative rebels—RNG REGISTRATION WEEKEND IS UPON US. So buckle up for a raw, unfiltered dive into Vancouver's revolutionary film festival! We sit down with Joel McCarthy and Sasha Duncan, the maverick leaders of Run N Gun - the scrappy 48-hour competition that's transformed from indie underdog to Vancouver's hottest ticket in filmmaking.

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01:22:43

Indie Film Revolution: How to Build a Profitable Film...

Off The Lot ·

2025/04/11

This is the episode indie filmmakers CANNOT MISS! Producer Daren Smith delivers a game-changing masterclass on achieving true independence and profitability. Whether you're struggling to fund your first feature or trying to build a sustainable filmmaking career, the strategies revealed in this conversation could completely transform your approach to the business of indie film.

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01:17:21

The Brutal Truth About Film Development: Indie...

Off The Lot ·

2025/04/04

"If you can't sell your film, nobody else is going to sell it for you."In this raw and honest episode, we dive deep into the REAL development process of independent films. Not just writing the screenplay, but building the entire system needed to get your film made and seen. This episode is REQUIRED viewing for any filmmaker serious about getting their independent project off the ground. Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share your development challenges in the comments below!

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01:23:31

Stunts, Shogun, and Indie Feature Films—Lauro...

Off The Lot ·

2025/03/28

What does it take to go from crashing through windows to calling the shots on set? This week, we sit down with legendary stunt coordinator, second unit director, and filmmaker Lauro “Lash” Chartrand-Del Valle, whose career has taken him from blockbuster stunts to directing action-packed films.With over three decades in the industry, Lauro has worked on massive projects, including the FX series Shogun, where he served as stunt coordinator and recently won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a

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01:04:50

From DIY Filmmaker To Feature Director—Ava Maria...

Off The Lot ·

2025/03/21

If you’re an indie filmmaker wondering how to level up your career, this episode is for you. In just a few short years, Ava Marie Safai went from directing high school short films to being selected for Vancouver’s prestigious Crazy8s film festival and now she’s making her feature directorial debut with Foreigner–part of Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program.In this episode, we break down how Ava turned ambition into action, secured major funding, and took the leap into feature filmmaking—all on

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01:24:00

The Indie Producer’s Survival Guide: Budgets, Crews &...

Off The Lot ·

2025/03/14

This week, Ken and Anthony sit down with Amanda Verhagen, an indie producer, line producer, and founder of Notable Studios. From managing million-dollar budgets to finding creative workarounds, Amanda shares real-world strategies for getting your film made.Whether you’re producing your first indie or looking to level up, this episode is packed with insider knowledge, budgeting tips, and industry wisdom you won’t find anywhere else!Follow us for more filmmaking content:Instagram: @offthelotpodKen

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01:09:03

From Unforgiven to Heretic: A Prop Master’s...

Off The Lot ·

2025/03/07

Ever wondered how the smallest details in a movie can make or break the story? Props aren’t just objects—they’re storytelling tools. And no one knows that better than Dean Goodine, a legendary Hollywood prop master with over 39 years in the business.He’s worked on everything from Unforgiven and Inception to 2024's indie horror juggernaut Heretic, and breakout indie thriller The Order. Today, he’s here to drop major knowledge on how props shape performance, enhance world-building, and why indie

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