Episode 63

full
Published on:

24th Aug 2026

5 Lessons From Making My First Feature Film | Ken Kabatoff | Remnant

I finally made my first feature film.

After years of working in film and television, raising the money, assembling the team, shooting Remnant, going through post-production and now entering distribution, there are things I understand about filmmaking that I simply didn’t before.

In this episode of Off The Lot, Anthony walks me through the entire filmmaking process as I break down five of the biggest lessons I learned making my first feature — from getting the movie financed and casting the right actors, to protecting the magic on set, testing the film with audiences, and thinking about distribution long before the movie is finished.

We get into what actually happens when the plan falls apart on set, why casting can make or break your movie, why filmmakers need to test their cuts, how to know what success means for your film, and why nobody is ever going to care about your movie as much as you do.

If you’re trying to make your first feature film, this is the episode I wish I could have listened to before making mine.

Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here:

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About the Podcast

Off The Lot: The Indie Filmmaking Podcast
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 delivers 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.