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. Inside The Test Screening: Remnant

    2D AGO

    Inside The Test Screening: Remnant

    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 the importance of honest audience feedback — particularly from non-filmmakers — in revealing what is truly working and what is not. The conversation explores key takeaways from the screening, including clarity of storytelling, pacing, and the strength of the audience’s emotional connection to the protagonist. Ken discusses how this feedback translated into practical adjustments, from ADR to a targeted pickup shoot. The episode concludes with a reflection on additional photography and the realities of post-production, where thoughtful refinements and small changes can have a meaningful impact on the final film. 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

    49 min
  2. Directing As An Assistant Director

    APR 27

    Directing As An Assistant Director

    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 decisions constantly intersect. The conversation centers on the idea that strong directors must think like both artists and builders. From blocking to coverage and time management, Anthony shares how production knowledge can become creative leverage rather than a constraint. He also touches on the risk of becoming too practical — how understanding production too well can shrink ambition — and why directors need to protect the ideas that truly matter. If you want a grounded look at how directing is shaped by real-world constraints — and why learning production can make you a better filmmaker — 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

    41 min
  3. Making It Work: Production Pressure, Test Audiences & Financing Reality

    APR 20

    Making It Work: Production Pressure, Test Audiences & Financing Reality

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp checks in from the first week of production on his new horror feature, sharing with Ken Kabatoff what it’s like to jump straight into night shoots, complex logistics, and a packed schedule as an assistant director. From managing a challenging mix of elements — including animals, kids, stunts, and special effects — to finding unique locations in British Columbia, he offers a grounded look at the realities of being on set. The conversation also shifts into post-production, as a large test screening approaches for Remnant. Ken breaks down the importance of audience feedback, maintaining clarity without losing mystery, and how small adjustments — from ADR to structure — can reshape a film. The episode wraps with a deeper discussion on film financing, exploring investor relationships, what makes a project commercially viable, and why building the right partnerships is just as critical as the film itself. 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

    56 min
  4. Directing In Post Production: A Deep Dive Into The Editing of Remnant

    APR 13

    Directing In Post Production: A Deep Dive Into The Editing of Remnant

    In this episode of Off The Lot, Ken and Anthony break down the realities of moving from production into post — and what it takes to shape a film after the cameras stop rolling. Ken reflects on the final stretch of production and the early lessons that came out of the shoot, from coverage limitations to the impact of tight schedules and indie budgets. The conversation dives into the editing process — from rough cut to director’s cut — and the collaborative workflow with editors, reshaping scenes, refining pacing, and discovering the film in the edit rather than on the page. They also discuss the emotional shift after wrap, the role of test screenings, and the balance between creative vision and practical constraints in post. The episode closes with a candid look at the evolving role of AI in filmmaking, and why human creativity still drives the process. If you want an inside look at how a film evolves in post and what it really takes to push an indie project toward picture lock — 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

    58 min
  5. Special Episode: Eyes on the Floor - What Assistant Director Work Teaches About Producing

    APR 6

    Special Episode: Eyes on the Floor - What Assistant Director Work Teaches About Producing

    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 problem-solving, and how decisions around locations, setups, and time ultimately shape the film. Anthony also shares a ground-level perspective on production — from managing hundreds of setups to balancing creative ambition with practical constraints, and why communication, clarity, and preparation are what keep a set from falling apart. If you want a real-world understanding of how films are executed, and why the assistant director might be the most important hire on your project — 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

    31 min
  6. Build the Career You Can Control

    MAR 30

    Build the Career You Can Control

    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 instead reframes filmmaking as a process built through volume, repetition, and self-generated opportunities. From volunteering on set to making ultra-low-budget projects, they unpack why constraints are often the fastest path forward — and how rejection, lack of resources, and limited access can actually become advantages when approached correctly. If you’re trying to get your foot in the door, build momentum, and create a sustainable path into the industry — 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

    49 min
  7. Building Canadian TV That Travels: Erin Haskett On Running One of Canada's Most Prolific Production Companies

    MAR 23

    Building Canadian TV That Travels: Erin Haskett On Running One of Canada's Most Prolific Production Companies

    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 and strategist, and how projects actually get sold today. Erin also reflects on her path into the industry, the importance of early career hustle, and what makes a great creative partnership — alongside a broader look at where Canadian television is heading in a global market. For insight into modern TV development, producing, and what it takes to build stories that actually connect, check out this 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

    54 min
  8. Special Episode: How Film Investors Actually Get Paid

    MAR 16

    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
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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
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp
  • Show Website
    Off The Lot

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