Heartstorm

A young woman goes on a cathartic journey through memory and imagination inspired by the performances shared at an open mic. A self-love story of discovery, acceptance, and the transformative power of art.

  • Jerry White Jr.
    Director
  • Arianna Basco
    Writer
  • Jerry White Jr.
    Writer
  • Arianna Basco
    Producer
    Fabulous Filipino Brothers, My First Horror Film, Glimmer
  • Jerry White Jr.
    Producer
    20 Years of Madness
  • Ron Erickson II
    Producer
    Fabulous Filipino Brothers, My First Horror Film
  • Magdalena Valencia
    Key Cast
    "Lucia"
  • Arianna Basco
    Key Cast
  • Christopher Aguilar
    Key Cast
  • Sebastian Sozzi
    Key Cast
  • Aurora Basco
    Key Cast
  • Renee Chatman
    Key Cast
  • Madeline Dimayuga
    Key Cast
  • Tu Ben Ngo
    Key Cast
  • Austin Howell
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, Musical, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.90∶1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jerry White Jr.

I was the class clown who dreamed of being a movie/rock star. In many ways, I've never lost those dreams, but they've evolved and branched out over the years. I've been making videos for most of my life now—Super-8, VHS, Hi-8, D8, HD, 4K, etc.—and while the technology has changed, my reasons for sticking with this life have remained pretty much the same. I love creative collaboration, I love unconventional storytelling, I care about expression, problem-solving, making memories with people you care about, exploring real and fictional worlds.

I'm a student of both guerilla filmmaking and a USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA grad (with the student loan debt and diploma to prove it). I produced a feature documentary in 2015 called 20 Years of Madness that premiered at Slamdance on opening night (and won an Honorable Mention). After many years of striving and hoping and dreaming, I'm excited and proud to have directed my first feature film, Heartstorm.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I began attending and performing at open mics as a teenager in the early nineties. I was fascinated with all of the characters in the room, a diverse group of men and women of all ages, exposing their darkest thoughts, secrets, and traumas. These were formative experiences and as I've grown and traveled I've continued to go to open mics, but have only rarely encountered anything as raw and meaningful as those early mics.

Seven years ago I went an open mic in Los Angeles that would change my life—and eventually lead to this film. Now I was one of the older folks, and while the faces and places were different, the authenticity and depth of experience was what I had been searching for. I became part of this LA community of poets, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and other performing artists. Arianna Basco, the host of these open mics, and I wrote this screenplay for Heartstorm based on a mix of our experiences merged with the poems and songs of folks in our community.

My goal with this film is to explore this world through the eyes of a newcomer and show how a performances and creative vulnerability can literally change you. It's not enough to make a concert film, I wanted to show the experience from within the heart and mind of an audience member. There is a magic that happens—I still feel it when I go—and that's what I want to share with this film.