July 24, 2002 - Bayport, NY
"SOME TROUBLE OF A SERRIOUS NATURE" WINS BEST SHORT FILM AWARD

Long Island International Film Expo Awards Tucci

Some Trouble of A SeRRious Nature, the directorial debut of comics creator and publisher Billy Tucci, has been awarded BEST SHORT FILM (Video category) at the 2002 Long Island International Film Expo.

The film is a comedy based on the legendary 1947 hoax letter written to Chance Vought Aviation detailing the end of World War 2, one unfortunate Vought F4U Corsair fighter plane and the hillbillies who were determined to fly it. Thousands of copies of the letter have been distributed throughout aviation circles in the years since, but Some Trouble of A SeRRious Nature represents its first incarnation as a motion picture. The film utilized a 1945 F4U-4 Corsair, a full-scale static model and CGI effects by John Vilardi.

Some Trouble was originally filmed in 16mm, but due to deadline constraints, Tucci decided to submit the movie on Beta SP. "I was a little weary when we were placed in the video category." Tucci stated. "Due to the immense popularity and versatility of High Definition (HD) and Beta SP, we were now in competition with 37 other shorts, by far the most competitive category of the festival. But as we screened the film, my confidence began to soar as the audience laughed hysterically from start to finish!"

L.I. Film/TV President Robert Hansen added, "Some Trouble of a SeRRious Nature is a wonderful film. I'm very proud of Billy¹s talent and ability to write, direct and produce his first movie. He rightly deserved to win the award for best short film."

Tucci gained popularity within the comic book industry with his award winning series Shi: The Way of the Warrior. Through Tucci¹s publishing company, Crusade Fine Arts Ltd., Shi is published in six languages, has sold over 4 million comic books and grossed over 25 million dollars worldwide. Additionally he has created properties for comics and film such as Atomik ANGELS, The Burning Blue, Diosa, Victoria Cross and The Undaunted. Tucci, along with screenwriter Kevin Bernhardt (Art of War, Black Friday) is currently scheduled to write the screenplay for the feature film version of Shi.

Tucci along with Executive Producer Andrew Steffens will be honored on August 22nd at this year¹s Salute to Independent Filmmakers and Awards Gala held at the Vanderbilt in Plainview New York.

Some Trouble of a SeRRious Nature is Tucci¹s first film and will make its comic industry debut at Comic Con International in San Diego Saturday August 3rd 11:30am. in Conference Hall 13.

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About Crusade Fine Arts

Media Contacts:
Debbie Markowitz
Director, Long Island Film/TV Foundation
E-Mail: debfilm@aol.com

Deborah Tucci
Crusade Fine Arts Ltd.