an open mic opera
An open mic, the people who come, and the new one experiencing it all for the first time.
A young woman goes on a cathartic journey through memory and imagination inspired by the performers at an open mic. A story of self-discovery, acceptance, and the transformative power of art.
Arianna BascoArianna Lady Basco’s art—from film, stage, music, poetry—is forever inspired by and bound to her tribe. Arianna co-wrote and plays the sister in THE FABULOUS FILIPINO BROTHERS, her brother Dante Basco’s directorial debut out now on HULU. She also produced and is a supporting role in feature MY FIRST HORROR FILM (2024) directed by world renowned poet turned filmmaker Shihan Van Clief. She is the lead in short film BLESS from award winning director Drea Castro. She is also the director, writer, producer, and lead of GLIMMER with Rosario Dawson. She has graced the stage on and off in her original play Heartstorms, (gasp), Bern’s Echo, Body Quakes, Tragic Ecstasy of Girlhood (received the HBO Diversity Grant), StanD and #DONT (featured on CNN Philippines). She has done countless productions with her art community she helms Palms Up Academy from shows, #RECESSmic, teaching, to holding space. Arianna is most proud of being a single mom to her kids and is currently working on a new book of poems and the sequel to THE FABULOUS FILIPINO BROTHERS. She lives by the motto "You Shine, I Shine." Arianna is very much looking forward to sharing HEARTSTORM with the world, shining the light on this diverse, dynamic, niche yet universal collective of artists.
Magdalena Sanchez Valencia is a lover of words and sounds. Focused on transforming pain into purpose, rhythm and flow. Knowing that creation is our liberation she believes, wholeheartedly, that we can save ARTselves. Heartstorm is her feature film acting debut.
Christopher AguilarChristopher Aguilar is a Huntington Beach, CA native and leads a group that helps break the stigma of mental illness by presenting a play he wrote called "StanD" along with post-show discussions on mental health (www.StanDtheplay.org). He holds an MA in Music Theatre from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and dedicates this film to his parents for their unending support and encouragement.
Sebastian SozziSebastian Sozzi is the son of two artist/freedom fighters who immigrated to the USA from Mendoza, Argentina in the early seventies. Born in NYC in 1982, Sebastian studied to become a performer at PPAS High School, Juliard, HB studios and more. Starting his career in theatre on and off Broadway helped hone his skills as an actor, singer and songwriter. Now Working primarily in TV and film, Sebastian is known for his work on TV shows such as “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Blue Bloods,” and in movies including “Batman v Superman” and “Dashing Through the Snow.”
Aurora BascoAurora Blessing Basco, aka ROR, is an actress and athlete. Having grown up from the womb in her mom’s art spaces—inherently, music is how she RORs. Her album 90241 is out now on all streaming platforms. She performs weekly at Palms Up Academy.
Renee "Kooki" ChatmanRenee Buckley-Chatman, lovingly known as "Kooki,” is a published author (“My Father's Son,” World Stage Press) and a poet. Locally, she has graced the stages of World Stage, 5th Street Dicks, The Poetry Cafe, Da Poetry Lounge, A Mic & Dim Lights, Our Mic, RecessMic, and more. Known for her sexy nod to being in love, poetry has taken her to stages in Chicago, New York, and New Orleans—from The Apache in Atlanta, Busboys and Poets in Washington DC, to the International stages of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Kooki is a member of Diverse Verses LA, a production group that has produced the Pan African Film Festival's Poetry Fest annually since 2016. Diverse Verses LA was nominated for Best Documentary in the Glendale Film Festival 2023.
Madeline DimayugaMadeline Dimayuga is a seasoned musician, improviser, and filmmaker with ten years of experience under her belt. As a filmmaker, she was awarded the 2017 Wonder Woman Award from the Austin Under the Stars Film Festival for her directorial debut of her short film, "Play Pretend." She has starred in independent comedy projects, notably "Night on Sixth" (2021), and several sketch and improvisational stage shows with Fallout Theatre and Coldtowne Theatre—both based in Austin, Texas. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2019, she has re-ignited her creative efforts towards songwriting and music performance under the stage name "Madima." Her band, Madima and the Switch, originated from the Palms Up Academy community and has gone on to perform at historic LA venues including Hotel Cafe, The Mint LA, and The Viper Room.
Tu Ben NgoTu Ngo started writing poetry at the age of 14 and began making music in 2010. He is The Counselor at Palms Up Academy and at 34 years old, is making his acting debut with Heartstorm. His debut album and sophomore album, Death Is Promised and The Gold Album, respectively can be found under the moniker of MaJiK MC across all platforms. He has performed on stages up and down California and is releasing his third album, King Ngo, in 2024. NFNT Studios is a multi-creative space owned by Tu Ben Ngo/MaJiK MC and will be opening soon for all creative endeavors including music recording, film and photography shoots, dance classes and various workshops, and will be a streaming and podcast resource as well.
Austin Howell is an experienced actor/comedian who has performed, written, and produced several live comedy shows of varying genres with stand-up, improv, and sketch being his specialties. He has also starred in several projects on multiple platforms, including "Two Sides" (2019-2021, Snapchat) and "Panic" (2021, Amazon Prime). Austin's newest passion outside of comedy is carpentry and scenic design—his work has been featured at numerous LA premiere events for film and television as well as large-scale private conferences throughout the United States.
Fenix Rising Basco is one of the youngest members of the Basco family and from the womb grew up in his mom’s art spaces. He is an actor, drummer, budding piano player, and lately having lot of fun on the synth.
Chelsea Sik is a breakthrough actor, executive producer, and digital creator, known for her award winning short film Foreign Planetary and growing social media presence. Under her brand as a "Clown", Chelsea has amassed over a hundred thousand followers and multi-millions views across platforms.
Jeffrey Han is a performer based out of Los Angeles, California. Before landing in LA, he earned his MFA in performing arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is grateful to be a part of Heartstorm, and to have worked with its cast and crew of multi-talented artists. Notable credits include Expect-Asian, his one-person show, with Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, Scrimmage with East West Players, and a touring production of The Taming of the Shrew with The Festival Players in the United Kingdom. Jeffrey enjoys practicing martial arts, and listening to country music while stuck in LA traffic. www.jeffreyhan125.com
Directed by
Jerry White Jr.
Produced by
Arianna Basco
Jerry White Jr.
Rawn Erickson
Executive Producers
Arianna Basco
Jerry White Jr.
Matthew J. Suhr
Cinematography by
Geoffrey Marschall
Edited by
Jerry White Jr.
Associate Producers
Geoffrey Marschall
Ashley Lanuza
Composer
Darryl J. Basco
Jerry White Jr. has been making films since he was a teenager, getting his start with public access television in Metro Detroit during the early 90s. He is a lifelong student of DIY guerrilla filmmaking as well as a MFA graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. As a director, actor, and producer, he has screened at over a hundred film festivals worldwide, winning numerous awards and securing international distribution for 20 Years of Madness, a film more than two decades in the making. In 2017, he founded the Vidlings & Tapeheads Film Festival to promote unconventional storytelling and bring together eclectic, unorthodox, and progressive filmmakers, musicians, and artists. Jerry is drawn to niche creative subcultures, outsider artists, and passionate amateurs. Heartstorm is his feature directorial debut. www.jerrywhitejr.com
Arianna Lady Basco is a single mom, curator of words, and believer of dreams. Author of PALMS UP, poet, and filmmaker. She is the director and lead of the short film GLIMMER with Rosario Dawson, co-wrote and co-starred in THE FABULOUS FILIPINO BROTHERS out now on HULU, producer and actress of the upcoming MY FIRST HORROR FILM directed by Shihan Van Clief, and currently in post-production for HEARTSTORM as a co-producer, co-writer, and lead inspired by the work she does at her arts organization PALMS UP ACADEMY. Playwright of (gasp), HEARTSTORMS, and BERN’S ECHO. Arianna and her family have been recognized by the State of California, City of Artesia and Cerritos, and named “The First Filipino Entertainment Family” by the City of Los Angeles for their contribution to the arts. She has been spotted at the intersection strumming the six string and singing a tune or two. www.palmsupacademy.com
Ronald Erickson II is the Co-Founder of Maker Studios, an MCN that pioneered digital marketing before its exit to The Walt Disney Company in 2014. In 2017 he co-founded The|Machine, a Verified Member Network of talent, talent representatives, and ad agencies in the influencer marketing, and branded content ecosystem. As a producer he is focused on borderless media with an eye toward international stories that expose universal truths through underexposed cultures and sub-cultures. His latest production The Fabulous Filipino Brothers can be seen on Hulu now.
