By Dave Warner
DOLGEVILLE, NY — On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the quiet village of Dolgeville, New York, transformed into a vibrant film set as Just Desserts LLC, an independent film collective from Connecticut, shot a pivotal scene for their debut feature film, Just Desserts.
Directed by Bryan Metzger, a filmmaker with 15 years of television directing experience, the project marks a significant milestone for the group, which has transitioned from short films and 48-hour film competitions to a full-length cinematic endeavor.
The Dolgeville Fire Department served as the backdrop for a dynamic scene introducing key characters and showcasing the community’s spirit.
In an on-location interview, Metzger shared the origins of Just Desserts LLC, formed specifically for this film. “We’re a collective of filmmakers from Connecticut who’ve been working together on short films and 48-hour film competitions,” he said. “We’ve built more of a family than a business.”
The idea for Just Desserts emerged from a collective ambition to tackle a feature film. “At some point, we all said, let’s get into the feature game,” Metzger explained. “We wanted to make a full-length movie to prove we’re true filmmakers, not just short filmmakers.”
To ensure success, the team prioritized a completed script before production began. “Way too many times, I’ve seen films fail because the script wasn’t fully fleshed out,” Metzger noted. “We made sure the story was solid first.”
The production, entirely self-funded, faced financial challenges from the outset. “We initially set a budget of $20,000, but within the first week, we realized that wasn’t enough,” Metzger said. “We raised it to 30,000, then sold my Mustang and Harley to reach around 40 to 50,000.”
Despite the tight budget, the team secured key locations through local connections. Metzger credited a lifelong friend, former Dolgeville Chief of Police Matt Wright, for facilitating access to the Dolgeville Fire Department. “Matt knows everyone and got us in touch with Fire Chief Mike Shepardson within 24 hours,” he said.
Town Commissioner John Haughton also played a crucial role, securing a cost-effective location for a car crash scene in Manheim. “They understood our limited budget and made it easy as long as we had insurance and good communication,” Metzger added.
The scene filmed on Saturday centers on a dramatic fire response following a midnight car crash, introducing Carmen, played by Connecticut actress Adrianne. “This scene establishes Carmen as a firefighter, showing she’s one of the guys, regardless of gender,” Metzger explained.
The sequence features volunteer firefighters, a rescue pickup truck, and a fire engine, complete with sirens and horns to heighten the production value. The cast is notably diverse, including former NFL quarterback Matt Sims as the lead antagonist, New York City puppeteer Rachel Christianson as another antagonist, and Joey Davis, a little person from Idaho, in a non-stereotypical lead role.
“Casting Joey was a challenge because the role required heavy dialogue and authenticity, not a stereotypical portrayal,” Metzger said. “It’s about maintaining the character’s integrity for the story.”
Filming began in June 2025, with the team working around weekend schedules to accommodate cast and crew availability. The majority of the film will be shot at an Airbnb in Harrington, Connecticut, during the first two weeks of October, with principal photography expected to wrap by Thanksgiving.
Metzger, who plans to handle much of the editing himself, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. “We’re a small team, with college students and interns learning together,” he said. “We don’t have all the answers, but we have a solid roadmap to get this film made.”
The Dolgeville Fire Department’s support has been instrumental, providing access to equipment and facilities. “They’re going above and beyond to make this a great production,” Metzger said.
The team filmed interior scenes during the day, leveraging the fire department’s windowless interior to depict a nighttime setting. Exterior shots, including the fire response, were scheduled after dark to align with the story’s midnight timeline.
“We’ll film the interiors for a few hours, then move outside after 7:30 p.m. when it gets dark,” Metzger explained.
The production faced logistical challenges, particularly coordinating with active firefighters. “If they get a call, they have to drop everything and go,” Metzger noted. “We’re moving quickly and efficiently to respect their time.”
The scene includes a three-shot sequence: starting in the fire department’s gathering area, moving to the squad bay where firefighters don their gear, and concluding with the crew loading into vehicles for the response.
“We’re aiming for high production value with the fire department’s equipment and support,” Metzger said.
Just Desserts is a testament to the team’s passion and resourcefulness, blending local talent with a diverse cast to tell a compelling story. With principal photography nearing completion, the film is poised to bring Dolgeville’s community spirit to audiences.
Metzger expressed gratitude for the town’s support, noting, “This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible help from Dolgeville’s fire department and community leaders.”
As the project moves toward post-production, Just Desserts promises to be a milestone for Metzger and his team, showcasing their growth from short films to a feature-length narrative.
