Off The Lot

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...

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 tha...

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 expe...

Anthony Epp sits down with Julie Bruns and Steven Kammerer, filmmakers and actors behind Beneath Crimson Sails for a wide-ranging conversation about fantasy storytelling, independent filmmaking, and the passion projects that keep artists creating. Drawing inspiration from worlds like The Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, and classic adventure cinema, the guests discuss building immersive universes,...

Anthony Epp sits down with filmmaker, visual artist, and Vancouver Film School instructor Chad Costen to discuss the long journey behind his new fantasy feature film, Mister Sandman. Chad reflects on discovering filmmaking through Star Wars, making homemade monster movies as a teenager, and building a career that spans directing, visual effects, creature design, and teaching. The conversation expl...

Anthony Epp sits down with producer Matt Cervi for an in-depth conversation about the realities of independent filmmaking in Canada, from financing challenges to the thrill of bringing ambitious genre stories to life. Matt reflects on studying at USC School of Cinematic Arts, working with companies behind The Walking Dead and The Terminator, and later building Mad Samurai Productions around his pa...

Anthony flies solo this week while Ken is deep in post-production on Remnant, leading to a thoughtful conversation about what really makes film sets succeed: chemistry, alignment, and trust. Inspired by the rebuilding of the Vancouver Canucks and comments from Ryan Johnson, Anthony compares hockey teams to indie film crews in a surprisingly relatable way. Drawing from his recent experience assista...

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony Epp sits down with casting director and producer Monika Dalman for a deep dive into the rapidly growing world of vertical micro dramas — the fast-paced, phone-first storytelling format becoming one of the biggest production booms in North America. From billion-dollar industry growth to nonstop productions shooting across Vancouver, Monika explains why the en...

This week on Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff sits down with directors Eric Foss and Brandon Pickering to discuss their new documentary Sell Your House — a behind-the-scenes look at the making of indie crime thriller The Last Stop In Yuma County that became something far bigger. The film follows producer James Claeys, who sold his own house to finance the movie after years of failed studio development, c...

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 r...

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....

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 C...

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...

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...

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 preparatio...

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...

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 majo...

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 d...

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...

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 sched...

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...

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, refinem...

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 aro...

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 horro...

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 episo...