Corey Payette did not wait for a studio to give him permission.

He built his stories on stage, proved them in front of live audiences, and then turned them into award-nominated films — including Star Walker, which earned 10 Leo Award nominations.

In this episode of Off The Lot, Corey breaks down how he went from theatre, music, and original Indigenous storytelling into feature filmmaking, how Star Walker evolved from a stage musical and TV series development process into a feature film, and what it actually takes to make a drag musical outside the traditional studio system.

We talk about:

How Corey adapted Star Walker from stage to screen

Why the film was made without traditional Telefilm or studio financing

The challenge of shooting a feature musical in drag on a tight schedule

How community, chosen family, and queer joy shaped the film

Why one story can become a stage show, feature film, album, tour, and published script

What Corey learned moving from theatre into filmmaking

This is a conversation about building durable creative work, making films outside the system, and finding a way forward when the industry says no.

Subscribe to Off The Lot for conversations with filmmakers building careers on their own terms.

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