Episode 50

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Published on:

25th May 2026

Special Episode: Building a Film Crew That Plays Like a Team

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 assistant directing Sundowning, he explores why many independent productions struggle — from people wearing too many hats to departments pulling in different creative directions. The episode covers leadership, prep, communication, crew dynamics, and how producers and directors can build teams that feel collaborative instead of chaotic.

It’s an honest, practical episode about making better movies by building better teams — perfect for filmmakers, film students, and anyone curious about the creative process behind independent filmmaking.

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

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About the Podcast

Off The Lot
indie film success on your own terms
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.
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About your hosts

Ken Kabatoff

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Ken Kabatoff is an accomplished writer and director with over seventeen years of experience in the film industry, delivering high-quality stories to millions of viewers.

Starting in 2016, Ken wrote for the critically acclaimed sci-fi Netflix series, Travelers, where he became co-producer. In 2020, he was nominated for the “Best Drama” Writers Guild of Canada Award for his final episode.

After directing multiple short films that have screened for tens of thousands of people around the world, Ken was awarded the prestigious Directors Guild of Canada BC Emerging Greenlight award to direct a deeply personal short film titled, The Doukhobor. The film is now on the festival circuit, allowing Ken to focus on his feature directorial debut, Remnant.

Anthony Epp

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Anthony Epp is a filmmaker, producer, and director with experience in both independent and studio filmmaking in Vancouver. His passion for high-stakes storytelling and hands-on production expertise has made him a driving force in indie cinema.

He began his career with the documentary Unspoken Rules (2009) and later directed 13 Miles, a character-driven sports drama. Currently, he’s developing The Quiet Canadians, an espionage thriller blending real-world intrigue with grounded action.

Anthony has worked as an Assistant Director on award-winning films like Seagrass (2023) and The Island Between Tides (2024) and served as Production Manager on Ruthless Bastards, starring Sean Patrick Flanery. His background in entertainment law gives him a strategic edge in film production.

As co-host of Off The Lot, Anthony shares industry insights, practical advice, and real-world experiences from the world of indie filmmaking.