SLU Productions Announces a New Documentary Film Outlining Viking Yacht’s Battle for Survival After the Introduction of the 1990 Luxury Tax
Caldwell, NJ, February 24, 2008 --(PR.com)-- One company’s battle helps to save an entire industry… SLU Productions, LLC, a newly formed production company in Caldwell, NJ announced today that it has begun production on a new documentary film that highlights the battle waged by the owners of Viking Yachts of New Gretna, NJ against the 1990 Luxury Tax. In a struggle for its own survival, Viking Yachts helped entire US boat-building industry.
In the film entitled “The Rising Tide”, SLU Productions tells the story of how a tax that was meant to affect only America’s wealthiest citizens nearly destroyed an entire industry. Shot on site at Viking Yacht’s New Gretna, New Jersey headquarters, SLU Productions looks at the effect that the tax had on the Healey family, owners of Viking Yachts, and the employees of this particularly hard hit company. The film shows how founders Bill and Bob Healey managed for 40 years in the pleasure boat business including some very difficult times.
“Viking Yachts was a successful, family-owned boat builder prior to the 1990 Luxury Tax,” said Robert Slusarczyk, managing director at SLU Productions. “The Healey family risked their entire life savings to fight the tax and to keep their business solvent. SLU Productions is extremely proud to have worked with the Healey family to bring their struggle to the awareness of others.”
“Viking Yachts endured extreme hardship after the tax was imposed,” said Pat Healey, president of Viking Yachts. “The entire Viking business, which included more than 2000 employees in 1990, was nearly decimated as the luxury tax made our products uncompetitive in the world market. We appreciate the efforts of SLU Productions to tell our story to the American public.”
SLU Productions has hired noted independent film director, George Valencia to bring the Viking story to life. Mr. Valencia’s film credits include:
o “Moment to Moment” Writer/Director/Producer (2002) Won Best Short at the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival and George was awarded best new Latin Filmmaker from Showtime. “Moment to Moment” Is currently in Domestic Distribution in the US with SI TV.
o “La Cosa Piu Bella Del Mondo” Writer/Director/Producer (2003) was George’s first film done in Italy in Italian. It won Best Short at the Houston International Film Festival and is currently in domestic distribution in the US with SI TV and in Italy with CANAL 5.
o “When I Grow Up” Writer/Director/Producer (2004) was a Showtime production. This was a made for television film which airs on Showtime.
o “Glow Ropes: The Rise and Fall of a Bar Mitzvah Emcee” Writer/Director/Producer (2005) Won HBO – Best Picture at the New York Latino International Film Festival and Best Picture at the Jewish Eye Speak/Israel. Festivals include Cannes, Berlin, Israel, Sao Paolo Jewish Film Festival, London Jewish Film Festival, and Miami Jewish Film Festival. It has been released on DVD throughout North America with Echo Bridge Entertainment.
o “L’UOMO” Writer/Director/Producer (2007) is his second short film shot in Italy and in Italian with English subtitles.
o “The Passion of the Christian L’Amour” Producer (2006) A short film written by Candice Coke and directed by Judy Reyes.
About Viking Yacht
Brothers Bill and Bob Healey founded the Viking Yacht Company in 1964 and it remains a family owned and operated company committed to building the finest boats money can buy. The Viking Yacht Company is located on the Bass River, in New Gretna, New Jersey, about 50 minutes by boat from Atlantic City. The wilderness of the Bass River is a stark contrast to the leading edge technology, which precedes every Viking boat leaving the New Gretna facility. Building a better boat every day has been Viking’s philosophy for over 42 years, and is the reason Viking leads the industry in performance, innovation, engineering and luxury.
www.vikingyachts.com
About SLU Productions, LLC
Established in 2007, SLU Productions was founded by business partners Robert Slusarczyk and Thomas Mostello. Their mission is to bring forth unique, high quality entertainment to the masses. For more information please contact SLU Productions LLC PO Box 64 Caldwell, NJ 07006 973-228-4195 slu@sluproductions.com.
www.sluproductions.com
A preview of “The Rising Tide” can be viewed on the film’s web site, www.therisingtide.info
The SLU Productions logo is a registered trademark of SLU Productions, LLC. Viking Yachts is a trademark or registered trademarks of The Viking Yachts Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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In the film entitled “The Rising Tide”, SLU Productions tells the story of how a tax that was meant to affect only America’s wealthiest citizens nearly destroyed an entire industry. Shot on site at Viking Yacht’s New Gretna, New Jersey headquarters, SLU Productions looks at the effect that the tax had on the Healey family, owners of Viking Yachts, and the employees of this particularly hard hit company. The film shows how founders Bill and Bob Healey managed for 40 years in the pleasure boat business including some very difficult times.
“Viking Yachts was a successful, family-owned boat builder prior to the 1990 Luxury Tax,” said Robert Slusarczyk, managing director at SLU Productions. “The Healey family risked their entire life savings to fight the tax and to keep their business solvent. SLU Productions is extremely proud to have worked with the Healey family to bring their struggle to the awareness of others.”
“Viking Yachts endured extreme hardship after the tax was imposed,” said Pat Healey, president of Viking Yachts. “The entire Viking business, which included more than 2000 employees in 1990, was nearly decimated as the luxury tax made our products uncompetitive in the world market. We appreciate the efforts of SLU Productions to tell our story to the American public.”
SLU Productions has hired noted independent film director, George Valencia to bring the Viking story to life. Mr. Valencia’s film credits include:
o “Moment to Moment” Writer/Director/Producer (2002) Won Best Short at the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival and George was awarded best new Latin Filmmaker from Showtime. “Moment to Moment” Is currently in Domestic Distribution in the US with SI TV.
o “La Cosa Piu Bella Del Mondo” Writer/Director/Producer (2003) was George’s first film done in Italy in Italian. It won Best Short at the Houston International Film Festival and is currently in domestic distribution in the US with SI TV and in Italy with CANAL 5.
o “When I Grow Up” Writer/Director/Producer (2004) was a Showtime production. This was a made for television film which airs on Showtime.
o “Glow Ropes: The Rise and Fall of a Bar Mitzvah Emcee” Writer/Director/Producer (2005) Won HBO – Best Picture at the New York Latino International Film Festival and Best Picture at the Jewish Eye Speak/Israel. Festivals include Cannes, Berlin, Israel, Sao Paolo Jewish Film Festival, London Jewish Film Festival, and Miami Jewish Film Festival. It has been released on DVD throughout North America with Echo Bridge Entertainment.
o “L’UOMO” Writer/Director/Producer (2007) is his second short film shot in Italy and in Italian with English subtitles.
o “The Passion of the Christian L’Amour” Producer (2006) A short film written by Candice Coke and directed by Judy Reyes.
About Viking Yacht
Brothers Bill and Bob Healey founded the Viking Yacht Company in 1964 and it remains a family owned and operated company committed to building the finest boats money can buy. The Viking Yacht Company is located on the Bass River, in New Gretna, New Jersey, about 50 minutes by boat from Atlantic City. The wilderness of the Bass River is a stark contrast to the leading edge technology, which precedes every Viking boat leaving the New Gretna facility. Building a better boat every day has been Viking’s philosophy for over 42 years, and is the reason Viking leads the industry in performance, innovation, engineering and luxury.
www.vikingyachts.com
About SLU Productions, LLC
Established in 2007, SLU Productions was founded by business partners Robert Slusarczyk and Thomas Mostello. Their mission is to bring forth unique, high quality entertainment to the masses. For more information please contact SLU Productions LLC PO Box 64 Caldwell, NJ 07006 973-228-4195 slu@sluproductions.com.
www.sluproductions.com
A preview of “The Rising Tide” can be viewed on the film’s web site, www.therisingtide.info
The SLU Productions logo is a registered trademark of SLU Productions, LLC. Viking Yachts is a trademark or registered trademarks of The Viking Yachts Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Contact
SLU Productions LLC
Bob Slusarczyk
973-228-4195
www.sluproductions.com
www.therisingtide.info
Bob Slusarczyk
973-228-4195
www.sluproductions.com
www.therisingtide.info
Contact
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