Off The Lot

Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp
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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 show.

  1. Special Episode: How Film Investors Actually Get Paid

    3 DAYS AGO

    Special Episode: How Film Investors Actually Get Paid

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp goes solo while Ken focuses on finishing the director’s cut of Remnant, diving into one of the most misunderstood aspects of filmmaking: how money actually flows through a film project. Using the history behind the making of Casablanca as a starting point, Anthony explores the idea that film has always been both art and business. He breaks down why major creative decisions — from casting to release timing — have historically been driven by commercial thinking, and why independent filmmakers need to approach their projects with the same level of financial strategy. The episode then unpacks the mechanics of film financing in Canada, from public funding stacks and federal tax credits to private equity and revenue “waterfalls.” Anthony explains how structures like the Canadian Media Fund and refundable tax credits reduce risk for investors, and why building a clear financial architecture before production is essential for creating sustainable independent films. Real-time look at the financial side of filmmaking, how investors get paid back, and why understanding the business structure behind a film is just as important as the story itself in this week’s episode of Off the Lot. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    1h 4m
  2. Inside the Indie Action Film Ruthless Bastards with Director Bruce Fontaine

    9 MAR

    Inside the Indie Action Film Ruthless Bastards with Director Bruce Fontaine

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp sit down with filmmaker, stunt performer, and fight choreographer Bruce Fontaine to discuss his journey from Hong Kong action cinema to directing independent features in Canada. Bruce reflects on his career working in the golden age of Hong Kong filmmaking, performing alongside some of the industry’s biggest martial arts stars before transitioning into directing his own projects. The conversation explores the making of his latest film Ruthless Bastards, the challenges of producing independent action films, and how persistence, networking, and private investment helped bring the project to life. They also dive into the realities of building commercially viable indie films — from casting recognizable names that help sell a movie internationally to designing action sequences that work within tight budgets. Bruce shares insights into why action remains one of the most exportable genres, the importance of prioritizing stunt performance on screen, and his mission to showcase Canadian talent while still making films that travel globally. A candid conversation about independent filmmaking, global action cinema, and what it takes to build commercial genre films outside the traditional studio system in this week's episode of Off the Lot. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    1 hr
  3. That’s a Wrap! Behind The Scenes of Remnant's Final Days of Production!

    2 MAR

    That’s a Wrap! Behind The Scenes of Remnant's Final Days of Production!

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp check in at the end of production on Remnant — officially wrapping an ambitious 18-day horror shoot. They unpack filming a massive eight-page exorcism sequence with 41 setups in a single day, executing complex stunts and practical fire gags, navigating the pressure of company moves, daylight-dependent exteriors, and zero overtime cushion. Real-time look at wrapping a first feature, balancing creative instinct with business reality, and trusting the prep when the clock is ticking in this week's episode of Off The Lot. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    46 min
  4. Behind The Scenes of Remnant Week 2! Indie Film Now In Production

    23 FEB

    Behind The Scenes of Remnant Week 2! Indie Film Now In Production

    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 variations for the edit, and why casting truly is 90% of directing. The conversation also dives into the logistics of shooting in a single house location, managing large lighting setups, building a distinct “nightmare world” look through lenses, LUTs, haze, and camera movement, and surviving one of the most difficult seven-page finale days of the shoot — complete with practical fire gags and major technical pivots. Real-time look at navigating performance, pressure, production constraints, and creative problem-solving halfway through a feature in this week's episode of Off the Lot Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    36 min
  5. Behind The Scenes of Remnant Week 1: Indie Horror Feature Now In Production

    16 FEB

    Behind The Scenes of Remnant Week 1: Indie Horror Feature Now In Production

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp recap the first week of production on Remnant, as Ken officially steps into the director’s chair on his debut feature. They break down the realities of week one — company moves, complex lighting setups, blue-hour stunts, horror sequences, and the constant pressure of making an 18-day schedule work. The conversation explores working with actors versus technicians, discovering performance in the moment, and how “happy accidents” on set can redefine a scene. Ken also reflects on how the film begins to reveal its own language during production — adjusting shot lists, simplifying coverage, maximizing a two-camera setup, and learning how the house location dictates the visual strategy. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    35 min
  6. Special Episode: How To Find A Private Investor

    9 FEB

    Special Episode: How To Find A Private Investor

    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 comes from conversations, not pitch decks. Anthony discusses private investment, confidence through repetition, and how filmmakers can reposition themselves from asking for permission to offering meaningful partnerships. If you’re an indie filmmaker struggling with financing, avoidance, or the leap from planning to action — this episode is for you. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    24 min
  7. Time To Shoot! Remnant’s Final Week of Pre-Production!

    2 FEB

    Time To Shoot! Remnant’s Final Week of Pre-Production!

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp reflect on the final days of prep as Remnant officially heads into production, opening with a discussion on the passing of Catherine O’Hara and her lasting impact on film and television. They discuss the intensity of week three of pre-production, from major art department transformations and schedule reshuffling to creative decisions around camera strategy, lenses, aspect ratio, and visual texture. The conversation also touches on the current moment in Canadian film and television, legacy creators, and why risk-taking still matters. The episode closes with a look at how preparation, collaboration, and creative commitment shape the first days of a shoot — and what it means to step onto set ready to make decisive choices. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com/about Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    46 min
  8. The Devil’s In The Details: Remnant Pre-Production Week 2

    26 JAN

    The Devil’s In The Details: Remnant Pre-Production Week 2

    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 creative ambition and logistics. If you want an honest look at how films actually get made before cameras roll — this episode is for you. Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here: www.remnantmovie.com Follow Ken Kabatoff's newsletter The Film Founder here: https://kenkabatoff.substack.com Follow Anthony Epp's newsletter The Filmmaker's Notebook here: www.anthonyepp.com Follow Ken & Anthony on Instagram here: @ken_kabatoff @epptri

    40 min
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About

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 show.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp
  • Show Website
    Off The Lot

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