Little Dinners follows a day in the life of Vera, a young woman who's recently moved to Los Angeles. However, starting over can be lonely. All alone on New Year's Eve, she decides to chase away the big city blues by throwing a dinner party for one.

Director's Statement

New places, new people, and the possibility of profound loneliness are often intimidating, even downright terrifying. But living alone is great. For many, it's the first taste of independence, a flavor we never forget. For many, that newly found independence comes with challenges, such as making a new home for oneself. This film is a throwback to the times when we were far from home, and a basic understanding of how to cook was the difference between surviving and thriving. 

We are not professional cooks. Nevertheless, during our childhoods, food was always of paramount importance; as nourishment, a means to facilitate time together, a love language, and a support system. An emotional attachment to food fostered itself in us from an early age. As we grow older, food is a means for us to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. When we want to relax, spend time with one another, heal, apologize, or celebrate, we're usually doing it in the kitchen. 

Many TV shows and films focus on the celebrity restauranteur chef. This film centers around a home cook. In this story, we strive to celebrate the humble, the beautifully flawed, the supremely comforting home-cooked meal.

The Mise en Place

Throughout the day Vera is confronted with the less than ideal aspects of living alone; homesickness, defending her decision to move against an overbearing mother, loudly copulating neighbors and the struggle of making friends in a new city. Despite the challenges, Vera is determined to enter this new era of independence with grace and poise. Instead of plopping herself on the couch with a pint of ice cream, Vera sets out to prepare a celebratory meal to commemorate her first venture alone into the big bad world. 

The Menu

Well, there's no menu. This is a project about home cooking, so there actually isn't a highly polished, painstakingly planned, practiced set of dishes meant to awe, inspire and dazzle - oh wait, there absolutely is. 

Little Dinners is rustic French/Italian all the way, drawing inspiration from the OG home cooks, Julia Child and Marcella Hazan. There is nothing trendy or flashy about the food in this film other than that it is incredibly delicious, relatively simple to cook, and looks downright beautiful. Roast chicken, pommes fondants, berries Chantilly, roasted leeks and citrus salad are just a few of the things our main character, Vera, will cook. While this is a home cooked meal, it is by no means casual. Our philosophy around the food is to use recipes that are celebratory; this meal is Vera's way to establish herself in a new and intimidating city, to squash the anxiety creeping in her periphery, and to celebrate our country mouse stepping out into the big, bad world. 

Music and Dance

The music is written and performed by yours truly (Peter) and JT Melaragno (Music Director). JT and I met in college while cast in a ridiculous jukebox musical, The Return to the Forbidden Planet. Our combined musical experience consists of accapela, numerous bands and orchestras, even a handbell choir. We were inspired by the music of Tom Waits, Natural Child, Chopin, Lady Gaga and Coldplay. Not the most homogenous group, but while composing the score for the film we tended to pull bits and pieces from a milieux of different genres in order to create a musical atmosphere that would support Vera's arc. 

Our score is written with the intent to fully capitalize on Hannelore's background in dance. From her rigorous classical Hula training growing up on Maui, to producing raunchy and hilarious burlesque shows in Denver, CO, Hannelore will be performing her own choreography during a pivotal scene in the film. 

Why this?

Films and shows such as The Bear, Chef and The Menu portray dramatic interpretations of working in professional kitchens. High stakes, hot tempers and mind blowing dishes have captured the attention of audiences around the world, elevating cuisine and those who make it to the highest artistic echelons. As fans of these films, tv shows and personalities we were inspired to make a film that shifts that focus from the professional world to the personal. We believe home cooking is just as dramatic and emotionally potent as witnessing the choreographed chaos of a high level restaurant. Though not nearly as high octane, we seek to tell a story that celebrates the humble, the beautifully flawed, the soul nourishing power of a home cooked meal. 

Why Us?

With diverse backgrounds ranging from performing Shakespeare, Hula dancing, music, writing and moving halfway across the world to pursue a career in Hollywood our skill sets are varied and diverse. Because this film requires a broad range artistic skill sets (music, dance, cooking) we believe we are the perfect team to make it happen. None of us are professional cooks. Nevertheless, food is of paramount importance. Fostered early during childhood, we see cooking as more than just a means to provide nourishment. Food was a love language, a means to facilitate time together, an essential opportunity to connect. We have fostered a deep emotional attachment to food from an early age. As we’ve grown older, food is a means to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. When we want to relax, spend time with one another, apologize or celebrate, we’re usually doing it in the kitchen. 

Where We're At

We are still in pre-production, but rapidly approaching our shoot dates which will take place over the first two weeks of October. Despite the early stages, we have a clear plan of our goals for the film once we wrap. It is our hope to submit this film to somewhere in the ballpark of 20-30 festivals nationwide and across the world. Fortunately, we have a dedicated team who are hard at work to meet this goal. We need the support of family, friends and strangers alike to do this and, should we exceed our fundraising target, we will be able to increase the presence of Little Dinners on the festival circuit. 

Where Your Money Goes

This is a small project with one location and one main actor, who also happens to be one of the creators and producers. What that means is we aren't spending money on renting locations, transporting cast or renting vehicles to haul equipment to multiple locations a day. Our goal is to divert as much of our budget as possible to what is seen and heard on screen. Because we've been able to be thrifty in many facets of this production, we're investing a great deal of our budget to our camera department, professional studio recording for our score and of course, the preparation of our menu. 

Why We're Telling This Story

Little Dinners is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the pang of loneliness in a bustling city. As LA transplants, our team have personally experienced the transformative power of a home-cooked meal during those initial isolating days. This story matters because it highlights the simple yet profound ways we find solace and joy in our own company. In a world increasingly connected yet emotionally distant, moments of self-care and personal celebration are more vital than ever. We are the right storytellers for Little Dinners because we have lived Vera's journey. We've found triumph in a good glass of wine, loud music, and a day spent in the kitchen, and we are passionate about sharing this universal experience through Vera's eyes.

Little Dinners is produced in association with Rhymes With Pie Productions. A filmmaking company spearheaded by actor/writer Jy Prishkulnik, Rhymes With Pie places an emphasis on women’s stories that reshape our perception of female characters. 

The Creators

We, Hannelore Rolfing (Vera) and Peter Henry Bussian (Director) met at CU Boulder while completing BFAs in Acting. Since then we have worked extensively in Theatre, Film, and Commercials. With backgrounds rooted in stage performance, we are bringing a diverse skillset to this production that goes beyond acting and directing. In many ways, this project is the cumulative effort of our many skill sets. In addition to writing, starring, and directing this piece, Hannelore and I are composing all original music and choreography to infuse this film with something truly personal.

The Team

We are continuously amazed by the wonderfully talented and generous team we've managed to put together. This film is made entirely possible by the amazing group of creatives who have added their own zest to our original idea.

Vera: Hannelore Rolfing

Proudly growing up in Lāhainā, HI, Hannelore was classically trained in the ancient art of Hula. She was fortunate enough to learn from renowned Kūmū Hula (Hula teacher) and musician, Keali’i Reichel. When she attended the University of Colorado Boulder, she trained in classical theater as well as a multitude of dance disciplines. Most notably, burlesque. “I love dance exhibits power. I appreciate the dichotomy of Hula and Burlesque. Hula is incredibly specific and disciplined, and burlesque is all about freedom and spontaneity. I plan to use these opposing dance styles to add to the opposing feelings of loneliness and revelry in solitude." Hannelore's most recent work includes a role in the Verrin T. Cofield film Envy Leads the Way.

Director: Peter Henry Bussian

"I am an actor, writer, and musician hailing originally from Durango, CO. After graduating from CU Boulder's acting BFA I worked in numerous regional theaters before finally settling in LA where I began working on films and commercials. I work seasonally as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

With a background in classical theater and music composition, I seek to create films with a distinct and indelible thumbprint. I see acting, writing and directing as a set of tools to bring an abstract idea into the light. As an artist who has always been of a jack-of-all-trades, I am so excited to be involved in the direction, writing and scoring of this film."

Director of Photography: Darsh Desai

"I vividly remember the first read of the script, it was bittersweet. The sense of reliability in moving to a new city on your own while finding joy in cooking a meal for yourself was gripping. My name’s Darsh Desai, and I will be the cinematographer on the film. My life looked a lot like our protagonist from the film two years ago. I had moved from Navsari, India across the world to Los Angeles, California. Moving from a tiny city to one of the biggest cities on earth, from a communal place to nuclear, from third world to first world, the first night was exactly like Vera’s. Separation anxiety in distilled isolation made me question my existence, and there was only one way back home, to cook my favorite comfort meal and put on my favorite Bollywood movie. That’s how I would feel narrating this story through my craft, it will feel like going home."

Producer: Jy Prishkulnik

"Hi! My name is Jy (rhymes with “pie”). I am a First-Generation American storyteller who began acting professionally at age 11. I earned my BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a double minor in Theater and Film (FTVDM) from UCLA (summa cum laude) before developing my film production company, Rhymes With Pie Productions. My goal as an artist—actor, writer, director, and producer—is to portray authentic, raw, and socially impactful stories about women that will expand and evolve cinema as we know it. Mowgli and Myrtle, my two rescue mutts/muses, keep me company out in LA and remind me of our shared hometown Santa Fe, New Mexico."

Co-Producer/Co-Writer: J.R. Davidson

My name is Jack (J.R.) Davidson. Born and raised in Clarinda, Iowa, my family enriched me with the power of film, theatre, and the arts from a young age. I fell in love with acting my freshman year of high school and graduated with degrees in theatre and writing from Drake University. 

After moving to Los Angeles in 2019, I immersed myself in the entertainment industry by working as a PA on multiple television shows. I also joined an online writers group, of which I am now a moderator. More than anything, I love the process of creative collaboration. Whether it’s making things for the stage or the screen, my goal is to continue to create meaningful stories with artists from different backgrounds and walks of life.

First Assistant Director: Olivia Upton

Olivia Upton, originally from Massachusetts, is a dynamic and versatile production manager, producer, and 1st AD currently thriving in Los Angeles, California. As alumni of the Los Angeles Film School, Olivia has cultivated a rich and diverse portfolio of work across various media, including short films, commercials, television, and music videos. Her one goal is to connect audiences with stories everyone can find relation in. She is also currently the resident producer and co-founder of startup production company, hrvst.

Marketing Manager/Photographer: Hannah Vail

Hannah Vail is an actor, photographer, and social media/marketing whiz. She met Hannelore and Peter while acting in theatre together in Colorado and was thrilled to reconnect in Los Angeles! Her different creative interests have allowed her to work on stage, both behind and in front of the camera, and help bring multiple independent films to life. She's so excited to be a part of the Little Dinners team and can't wait for everyone to experience the film's touching story!

Music Director: J.T. Melaragno

Originally from Denver, CO, J.T. Melaragno is an actor, producer, and musician currently based in Los Angeles, CA. His musical journey started at age 5 when he started taking piano lessons. Shortly after, he expanded his musical horizons to vocals and drums. He has participated in musical theater his entire life and served as the musical director for an ensemble A Cappella group at the University of Colorado. As a drummer, he has played in jazz bands, pop/rock bands, and played marching snare drum in the world class Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble. His latest musical endeavor has taken him into the realm of teaching and education. He currently teaches full rock band classes to elementary school students in the LA area.

Wardrobe Stylist: Madeleine Ours

Madeleine Ours is a French American actor, model, and stylist who currently lives in Los Angeles in a house that was formerly a grocery store. (Yes, it still looks like a grocery store outside, and yes, people still knock on the door asking when we are open... hehe sorry we are not!) Some clients they have modeled for include Savage X Fenty, Google, Torrid, Target, Kohls, True Religion, Tanya Taylor, Mara Hoffman, Leanne Marshall, Party City, Bustle, Ellos, Ulla Popken, Andrea, and Thistle & Spire. They’ve acted in several short and feature films and music videos, Cannibal Mukbang being the latest feature film. On film sets they’ve had a chance to explore acting, styling, directing, writing, and being a production assistant. For more information on film projects they’ve worked on see their imdb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8786281/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Script Supervisor: Katrina Gaedcke

Katrina Gaedcke, a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s BFA in Acting program, is an actor, writer, and script supervisor. She has a deep love of psychology, which has led to her passion for telling stories that explore the many facets of the human psyche. Katrina believes that every project presents an opportunity to better understand herself and others. 

Culinary Consultant: Ian Fraser

Hello! My name is Ian and currently living as a Boulder Colorado transplant in New York City. After graduating with a BFA in theatre performance from CU Boulder, I moved to the big apple to pursue a career on the stage. However, what I found here was a passion for fine dining and the culinary arts. Having started as a simple home cook and then working for establishments like Momofuku Ssam Bar and The 21 Club, I've invested myself deeply in the culinary landscape of the city. Now, after earning my MS-IOP and working as a management consultant, food is my primary (and preferred) outlet for artistic expression. Wolfgang Puck once said that "cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes and colors, there are only so many flavors - it's how you combine them that sets you apart." With the human palate as my canvas, there is no other medium I would rather create within.