Episode 28

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Published on:

25th Jul 2025

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 time
  • Whether a $30,000 tuition is worth the ROI
  • How to break into the industry without formal education
  • Why 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

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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 fifteen 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.