Off The Lot

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

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

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

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

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