For me, The Scene in Los Angeles is defined by two things: The Entertainment Industry and Nightlife. The same goes for my career. I am a writer & a director, and I also throw parties & host events. Earlier this month, I was able to bring both of my worlds together with the premiere of my short film "Closing Time". The screening was held at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in Beverly Hills, thanks to my agent Mike Esola. The after-party was at Winston's, which was the main location used in the film. We also shot at the famous Canter's Deli on Fairfax Avenue.

"Closing Time" takes place during a night out in L.A. and follows 3 guys who are trying to "pick up chicks". Thanks to text messaging and social networking, the whole game has changed. One of the guys, played by Ben Savage, has just gotten out of a long-term relationship and, now that he's back on the scene for the first time in a while, he must learn the new rules of the game. Film critic Ben Lyons, who attended the premiere, called it "Swingers for the text-messaging generation." He also praised the "West Coast Woody Allen feel of the film." Huge compliment.

"Closing Time" features a hot cast of young, talented actors: Ryan Rottman, Michael Doneger, Julianna Guill, Tiffany Dupont, Nikki Griffin, Audra Griffis, Jim Saviano, Nathalie Walker, Jenifer Golden, Heather Fogarty, and Anna Gilfeather. In the role of the Canter's waitress, we cast Jeannie Cocchiaro, who has worked at Canter's for 53 years. She was a natural. The premiere gave me a chance to show "Closing Time" to the cast & crew for the very first time.

When I introduced the film to the audience, I shared a quote from Warren Beatty: "A true professional achieves success when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play." This summed up my experience on "Closing Time". I was lucky to be able to surround myself with an unbelievable cast and crew, and although it was a lot of work and took many long hours, it was also so much fun that it felt like play. One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is that the city is filled with so many talented people, all of whom are so passionate about what they were born to do. So when you put a group of these people together to create a project, and they are each so good at what they bring to the table, magic happens.

After graduating from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, I made the move to Hollywood. Upon my arrival, I spent several years as an assistant to Brett Ratner, during the time when he was directing the films "After the Sunset", "X-Men 3", & "Rush Hour 3", as well as the TV pilot for "Prison Break" and music videos for Mariah Carey & Jessica Simpson. Needless to say, I learned an incredible amount from being on set with Brett Ratner. He attended the premiere of "Closing Time", which was a huge vote of confidence. My parents Janet & Jack also came in from New Jersey for the premiere and it was amazing to have them there to share the experience with me. Completing a film is an accomplishment in itself, but what really means the most is when you get to share it with your cast & crew and your family & friends. Being surrounded by everyone at a premiere was both surreal and overwhelming, in the best way possible. I'm already looking forward to the next one…

For a sneak peek at the "Closing Time" trailer, check out: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3815440921/

From left to right: Ryan Best, Audra Griffis, Jim Saviano, Jenifer Golden, Ryan Rottman, Tiffany Dupont, Ben Savage, director Brett Gursky, Jeannie Cocchiaro, Michael Doneger, Nikki Griffin, Anna Gilfeather, Nathalie Walker, producer Jake Avnet











Brett Gursky is a Hollywood Triple Threat: Writer. Director. Nightlife impresario. He grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey, graduated from The Newhouse School at Syracuse University as a film/TV major, and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

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