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The movie, written and produced by Bryant's college friend David Branin, is just a 15-minute short starring Bryant and actor Daniel Sol in a one-on-one confrontation, but "Shoot-Out" has caused a positive stir in Holly-wood. The movie was featured on the cover of Hoops magazine, received rave reviews from several Hollywood critics and has provided the actors with an opportunity to see their careers truly take off.
"We have produced other short films before, but this is our first nationally-recognized movie and it has really opened some doors for us," said Bryant.
The Connecticut native first got his start in Hollywood after traveling to Los Angeles with other area residents after completing his course studies at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
He would get his start acting in a number of commercials, which eventually led to lead roles in the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial featuring music star Sean "Puffy" Combs and a Pontiac commercial with actor Samuel L. Jackson among others.
Bryant has also starred as a supporting cast member in a variety of television shows, including a friend role in the Thursday night ABC hit, "Grey's Anatomy."
Cam Montgomery Jr., Bryant's agent, said much of the actor's success is a result of his strong work ethic, one which Bryant said can be attributed to his mother, Mary, and grandmother, Juanita, who taught him to never give in.
"Watching my mother work so hard to provide for us growing up and watching her drive to support her family made such a large impact on my life," said Bryant. "You can't just listen to what anyone says. There is a lot of negativity out there and the key to success is to stay focused and not listen to those types of comments."
As a child growing up in New Britain and Hartford, Bryant said his grandmother would often take care of him so that his single-working mom could travel between three jobs and help provide a good life for her son.
When it came time to enter high school, the family relocated to Newington so that Bryant could attend Newing-ton High School rather than a Hartford city school, providing him with a better education.
After high school, he attended Bucknell University to receive his secondary education. As a student, Bryant said he took an interest in acting and producing for the first time and after graduation he made the decision to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in Hollywood.
"Fear is not an option," Bryant said. "It's easy to be scared of what's unknown, but you can't let the fear drive your decisions. There are millions of directors and producers out here. Those who succeed are the ones who aren't afraid to work for it."
With one hit already, Bryant said he is in the process of preparing to make a full-length feature, which Branin is currently working on. In addition, Bryant has begun to look at television series options and also plans to be a motivational speaker.
He added that movies will be another future endeavor, but said he does not anticipate being heavily involved in feature-length films until later in his career.
"Right now, I am focused on establishing myself and learning more about the industry," Bryant said. "I never thought I'd be involved in the production process as I was with the film 'Shoot-Out,' so right now I'm enjoying that involvement."
More on Bryant's production company and his latest film can be found at www.dreamregimeproductions.com.
