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The Most DEFF Podcast

The Most DEFF Podcast

Written by: Cindy and Casey Ball
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About this listen

The Most DEFF Podcast spotlights the filmmakers, creators, and culture-shapers pushing the Inland Empire forward. Hosted by DEFF founders Casey and Cindy Ball, each episode dives into real conversations with local directors, producers, writers, and creative entrepreneurs who are building a thriving film ecosystem outside of Hollywood.


From behind-the-scenes stories to hard-earned lessons, this podcast celebrates the resilience, resourcefulness, and ambition that define filmmaking in our region. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting out, you’ll get practical insights, honest perspectives, and a front-row seat to the people making the Desert Empire one of the most exciting emerging film communities in California.


This is where Inland Empire filmmakers come to be seen, heard, and supported.

This is The Most DEFF Podcast. 🎬

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Episodes
  • Favorite films, Tax Incentives, Origins | The Most DEFF Podcast Ep.2

    Favorite films, Tax Incentives, Origins | The Most DEFF Podcast Ep.2
    Nov 22 2025

    Cindy, Casey, and Erick dive deeper into who they are as filmmakers and why they founded the Desert Empire Filmmaker Foundation. From growing up obsessed with movies, to discovering filmmaking through theater, music, and indie sets, the team shares the real stories that shaped their creative paths.

    They talk favorite films (Jurassic Park, Clockwork Orange, Hercules, Pan’s Labyrinth, Grease, Road to El Dorado… the list gets wild), early set experiences, and how building a filmmaking ecosystem in the Inland Empire became their shared mission.

    The episode also covers breaking industry news, why Hollywood keeps shifting to new states, and why the Inland Empire is uniquely positioned as the next real filmmaking hub. Plus—festival updates, upcoming events, and a hilarious amount of movie-nerd chaos.

    If you love filmmaking, community building, indie hustle, or just good vibes, this one’s for you.

    Help us remove barriers for Inland Empire filmmakers.

    Your donation fuels equipment access, workshops, screenings, and real opportunities:

    👉 https://givebutter.com/DesertEmpireFilmmakerFoundation
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    57 mins
  • What's the vision? | The Most DEFF Podcast Ep. 1

    What's the vision? | The Most DEFF Podcast Ep. 1
    Nov 22 2025

    In this episode of The Most DEFF Podcast, Casey and Vince introduce the Desert Empire Filmmaker Foundation (DEFF) and lay out a vision for a real film ecosystem in the Inland Empire. They talk about local film programs, why so many projects get stuck in post, how DEFF wants to help with permits, gear, mentorship, and festivals, and what it looks like to build a blue-collar, all-hands-on-deck filmmaking community outside of LA. If you’re a filmmaker in the IE, Coachella Valley, High Desert, or just “LA-adjacent,” this one’s for you.
    It’s part podcast, part manifesto, part hangout — and all DEFF.

    ⸻

    ✨ Subscribe to follow the journey, hear from rad guests, and plug into the DEFF-iverse.
    🌐 Learn more about DEFF at def.foundation
    📲 Follow us on IG: @desertempirefilmmaker

    💌 Wanna collaborate? DM us or email at info@def.foundation

    Support IE filmmakers: https://givebutter.com/DesertEmpireFilmmakerFoundation
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    30 mins
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