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 $60K
• Why failing forward matters
• What filmmakers often get wrong about distribution
• Building a film career without the studio system
• His 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

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☕️ Help support the show! Buy us a cup of coffee for those long editing nights by leaving a tip here!

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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.

Spread the word and help indie filmmakers around the world level up today!

This week, we’re answering your burning questions—and holding nothing back.

Whether you're stuck in development hell, figuring out how to light your film without pro gear, or wondering how to work with (or walk away from) an investor with strings attached—this episode is for you.

We cover:

🔥 How to make your indie film look cinematic on a shoestring

💰 The financial model that actually gets investors paid back

🎭 Directing actors (even when you have zero rehearsal time)

🎥 The red flags that should make you walk away from a “dream” investor

📽 Why Hollywood won’t “pick” you—and why that’s a good thing

🧠 The spiral theory of filmmaking that will change how you prep your movie

Plus: Ken drops the real update on Remnant—how close they are to greenlight, and what it means to go all in.

🎥 Whether you're an indie filmmaker or a fan of genre movies, this episode is packed with actionable insights, brutal honesty, and a lot of laughs.

👉 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

📢 Got your own question? Email us at: [email protected]

☕️ 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

In our first-ever live show, we sit down with the powerhouse duo behind Freaks and the upcoming Freaks Underground — director Zach Lipovsky and cinematographer Stirling Bancroft — to uncover how they pulled off a visually stunning sci-fi indie on a micro-budget and what it takes to keep your voice in this industry.

From guerrilla filmmaking in Shaughnessy to shooting volume plates like pros, hear how the team created massive scope on minimal resources, built their careers without waiting for permission, and dove straight into Freaks Underground the day after wrapping Final Destination: Bloodlines.

Whether you're an indie filmmaker or a fan of genre movies, this episode is packed with actionable insights, brutal honesty, and a lot of laughs.

Watch the episode on YouTube for the full live show experience! https://youtu.be/06Hk70UytMo

Sponsored by Peliplat — Enter monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes. Join at https://www.peliplat.com/offthelot

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Sponsored by Daren Smith at Craftsman Films — Sign up at https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/offthelot to get his must-read book Blockbuster absolutely free.

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This week, we sit down with Vancouver indie legend Jason Mills—the one-man movie machine behind 18 feature films, including They Came From the Attic (picked up by Lionsgate UK). Jason talks about his DIY filmmaking roots, how he turns micro-budgets into maximum impact, and why passion beats permission every time.

He breaks down:

• How to shoot a feature film in 5 days
• Why AI shouldn't replace you, but can empower you
• The myth of waiting for the perfect budget
• Why YouTube is his ultimate distribution platform
• The one piece of advice he'd give his younger self

💸 This episode is sponsored by Peliplat — where filmmakers and writers battle it out in monthly screenwriting challenges. Submit your work for a chance to win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes!

✍️ Join today: www.peliplat.com/offthelot

👇 If you're an indie filmmaker, this one’s for you. Like, comment, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly conversations with the boldest voices in independent film.

🔔 New episodes drop every week.

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What do you do when Sundance says no? If you're Dan Mirvish—you start your own damn festival.

In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of Slamdance Film Festival and self-proclaimed “cheerful subversive” Dan Mirvish. From launching the careers of Christopher Nolan and the Russo Brothers, to literally forcing the Oscars to change their rules, Dan’s career is a masterclass in indie film rebellion.

🏆 This episode is sponsored by Peliplat – where passionate minds meet.

Enter their monthly writing challenges and win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes!

✍️ Join the community at: www.peliplat.com/offthelot

👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your favorite indie film hustle story in the comments.

Mentioned in this episode:

Peliplat

Join us for a captivating deep dive into the world of indie filmmaking with the multi-talented Anthony Epp! Known for his extensive experience—from directing and producing to script coordinating and lighting—Anthony shares invaluable insights from his diverse career. Hear the fascinating story behind his debut feature, 13 Miles, the triathlon drama that took two years of passionate persistence to complete, and is now streaming on Amazon, Tubi, and Apple TV.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor Peliplat! Are you a storyteller with a unique take? Participate in Peliplat’s monthly writing challenges for a chance to win cash prizes up to $2400 USD! Let your creativity shine—join now at www.peliplat.com/offthelot.

Mentioned in this episode:

Peliplat

Award-winning writer, director, and co-host Ken Kabatoff takes the hot seat in this deeply personal episode of Off The Lot. From his breakout work on Netflix’s Travelers to receiving the DGC BC Emerging Greenlight Award for his short The Doukhobor, Ken walks us through the grit, the pivots, and the relentless drive that got him here.

Now, with his debut feature Remnant on the horizon, Ken shares the hard math of indie film production, the challenge of breaking through the noise, and the strategy behind building sustainable momentum in a saturated industry. It’s a must-watch for anyone trying to make it outside the studio system.

📢 Sponsored by Peliplat — the global platform for storytellers and screenwriters. Explore their writing challenges and resources at www.peliplat.com/offthelot

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this jam-packed episode, we sit down with producer Mike Johnston—co-founder of Studio 104 Entertainment—for a deep dive into the creative chaos, financial finesse, and straight-up grit it takes to be an indie producer in Canada.

From rat-infested film school basements to launching films at Hot Docs and getting national theatrical releases, Mike takes us through the real behind-the-scenes of building a production company from scratch. We talk about the film that made him fall in love with the craft (Jaws, naturally), the evolution from aspiring director to full-time producer, and the delicate balancing act between art and commerce.

Get ready for a filmmaking masterclass as directors Austin Andrews and Andrew Holmes take us behind the scenes of their supernatural thriller "The Island Between Tides" (known as "The Lost Daughter" in the US). This Emmy-winning duo reveals the raw truth about indie filmmaking: the triumphs, the challenges, and everything in between!