Season Finale! From Studio Sets To Indie Film Hustle: Ken and Anthony Recap What It Takes to Greenlight Your Own Indie Film
Eight months. Tons of guests. Countless lessons from the trenches of indie filmmaking. In our Season 1 finale, Ken and Anthony pull back the curtain on their own projects, diving into the wild, unpredictable ride of producing indie films.We talk about:The razor’s edge of indie film financingThe difference (and similarities) between studio & indie filmmakingManifestation, meditation & the mental game of making moviesFinding and working with the right peopleWhy now is the time to make your movie — no excusesPlus — a huge thank you to Peliplat and Craftsman Films for fueling this first season. We’ll be back this fall with an even bigger, better Season 2. Until then… keep creating, keep hustling, and keep telling your stories off the lot.👉 Want to listen to the show? Check out www.offthelotpodcast.com/listen 👉 Want to watch the show? Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@offthelotpodcast💰 Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at www.peliplat.com/offthelot📚 Sponsored by Craftsman Films — Each week, successful indie producer Daren Smith shares his vast knowledge of indie filmmaking in a highly anticipated newsletter. If you sign up at the link below you'll get access to his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free! www.craftsmanfilms.co/offthelot🖥️ Follow us on Instagram: @offthelotpod, @ken_kabatoff, @epptri☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here! www.offthelotpodcast.com/support🎯 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss the Season 2 premiere!Mentioned in this episode:Peliplat
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Why Karen Lam Ditched Law To Direct Award-Winning Horror Films
Ready to peek behind the curtain of indie filmmaking? In this electrifying episode, award-winning director Karen Lam (The Curse of Willow Song, Bring It On: Cheer or Die) sits down to unpack her unique journey from entertainment lawyer to horror auteur.Karen dives deep into her latest projects—Armageddon Road, a supernatural thriller blending innovative volume wall tech with old-school miniature effects, and the award-winning short Mrs. Chang’s Perfect Teeth. Along the way, she offers practical advice for indie filmmakers navigating a changing industry, discusses the indie vs. studio filmmaking balance, and shares essential strategies for filmmakers looking to build sustainable careers without relying on traditional gatekeepers.📌 In this episode, you’ll discover:How Karen financed her latest feature using creative, indie-friendly strategies.Why mixing cutting-edge tech with classic practical effects can elevate your storytelling.The power of creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for "Hollywood to pick you."Insights into how Canadian filmmakers can leverage industry shifts to their advantage.Hit Subscribe to Off The Lot for more candid conversations and practical filmmaking insights!👉 Want to listen to the show? Check out www.offthelotpodcast.com/listen 👉 Want to watch the show? Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@offthelotpodcast💰 Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at www.peliplat.com/offthelot📚 Sponsored by Craftsman Films — Each week, successful indie producer Daren Smith shares his vast knowledge of indie filmmaking in a highly anticipated newsletter. If you sign up at the link below you'll get access to his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free! www.craftsmanfilms.co/offthelot🖥️ Follow us on Instagram: @offthelotpod, @ken_kabatoff, @epptri☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here! www.offthelotpodcast.com/support🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss a single episode!#KarenLam #IndieFilm #HorrorMovies #FilmmakingTips #WomenInFilm #FilmProduction #OffTheLotPodcast #ArmageddonRoad #MrsChangsPerfectTeeth #FilmmakingAdvice #VancouverFilm #FilmFinance #DirectorLifeMentioned in this episode:Peliplat
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BONUS EPISODE! The New Cinephile Clubhouse: Bob Woolsey On Peliplat & The Future of Film Communities
What if Letterboxd and a writer's room had a baby—and that baby was raised in a video store by cinephiles? That's Peliplat. And in this bonus episode, Off The Lot fave Bob Woolsey returns to break down exactly why Peliplat might be the next big thing for indie filmmakers and film lovers alike.We dive deep into how Peliplat is building a real community for creatives to:Develop IP in a transparent, collaborative way (yes, even in the age of AI)Share cultural perspectives on film that expand how we watch and talk about moviesReclaim the joy of movie discussion outside the noise of social mediaFind your tribe of writers, critics, and cinephiles who care as much as you do🎥 Bob’s been in the trenches for over 15 years — as a writer, director, and educator. If you're serious about building a career in film, you can’t miss this one.👉 Want to watch the show instead? Check out our YouTube channel here: Off The Lot YouTube💰 Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at Peliplat_OffTheLot📚 Sponsored by Craftsman Films — Each week, successful indie producer Daren Smith shares his vast knowledge of indie filmmaking in a highly anticipated newsletter. If you sign up here you'll get access to his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free!🖥️ Follow us on Instagram: @offthelotpod, @ken_kabatoff, @epptri☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here! 🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss a single episode! Mentioned in this episode:Peliplat
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Is Film School Worth It? Former Vancouver Film School Department Head Bob Woolsey On Education, Hustle & Making It In Film
Thinking about film school? Or wondering if you should skip it and just make a movie?🎓 In this episode, filmmaker and former Vancouver Film School department head Bob Woolsey breaks down:What film school actually teaches you (and what it doesn’t)Why networking and teamwork beat theory every timeWhether a $30,000 tuition is worth the ROIHow to break into the industry without formal educationWhy your attitude might matter more than your talent🎥 Bob’s been in the trenches for over 15 years — as a writer, director, and educator. If you're serious about building a career in film, you can’t miss this one.👉 Want to watch the show instead? Check out our YouTube channel here: Off The Lot YouTube💰 Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at Peliplat_OffTheLot📚 Sponsored by Craftsman Films — Each week, successful indie producer Daren Smith shares his vast knowledge of indie filmmaking in a highly anticipated newsletter. If you sign up here you'll get access to his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free!🖥️ Follow us on Instagram: @offthelotpod, @ken_kabatoff, @epptri ☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here! 🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss a single episode! Mentioned in this episode:PeliplatPeliplat
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How MJ Alhabeeb Jr. Made His Award-Winning Feature For $60K and Landed Theatrical Distribution
In this episode, we're joined by indie filmmaker MJ Alhabeeb Jr., whose debut feature Plight is racking up awards and heading to theaters. MJ takes us through his journey from shooting public access TV at 16, to premiering Plight in the very town where it was shot, to landing distribution with Indie Rights—all on a shoestring budget.We dig deep into:How he made Plight for $60KWhy failing forward mattersWhat filmmakers often get wrong about distributionBuilding a film career without the studio systemHis honest advice for every up-and-coming director🎥 This is a must-listen for anyone who’s felt stuck or sidelined in their filmmaking journey. MJ proves you don’t need permission—you just need to get going.📺 Plight is now streaming on Amazon Prime.👉 Want to watch the show instead? Check out our YouTube channel here: Off The Lot YouTube💰 Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at Peliplat_OffTheLot📚 Sponsored by Craftsman Films — Each week, successful indie producer Daren Smith shares his vast knowledge of indie filmmaking in a highly anticipated newsletter. If you sign up here you'll get access to his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free!🖥️ Follow us on Instagram: @offthelotpod, @ken_kabatoff, @epptri☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here! 🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss a single episode! Mentioned in this episode:Peliplat
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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