Freshman student helps capture Fairfield from above

World famous aerial cinematographer Al Cerullo payed a special visit to Fairfield this past weekend, donating his time and services by taking breathtaking aerial photographs and video of the Town of Fairfield, Fairfield University and Fairfield Beach, from the cineflex camera mounted to his AS355 TwinStar helicopter.

Freshman Christian Tucci, a professional colleague and family friend of Cerullo, assisted Bob Cammisa with taking still photos and Brian Heller with taking video of Fairfield on Saturday.  Tucci also planned the logistics and flight plan of the aerial shoot.

“I met Al about five years ago … both of us were in the Civil Air Patrol – we joined at the same time,” said Tucci.  Cerullo noticed an interest in young Tucci for flying and film, and decided to take him under his wing.

Tucci’s first job with Cerullo was helping to organize aerial shots for an episode of the CW’s “Gossip Girl,” which led to more and more jobs with Cerullo.

“We’re such good friends now … to work with someone as highly regarded as Al is fantastic,” Tucci said.

Tucci is the owner of his own company, Christian Tucci Enterprises.  He often works alongside Cerullo, managing Cerullo’s media content and video files in addition to ground coordination, assisting in camera operations, and filling other important roles.

“It’s honestly the best job anyone my age can have – I can’t think of any other 18-year-old with a job as cool as this,” said Tucci.

Cerullo has worked on hundreds of famous films and television shows thought his 35-year career as a film pilot.  He started his career as a pilot in the Vietnam War, and has logged over 25,000 career flight hours.

Darren Cerullo, Al’s son, graduated from Fairfield in 2001 in the film new media program.  “Over the years I’ve maintained a close friendship with Fr. Jim Mayzik, who was a mentor of mine while at Fairfield, as well as several students involved in the Film program. In large part because of these relationships, I decided to enlist the services of my father, Al, to donate speculator aerial footage of the university on behalf of Jim and the Media Center,” stated Darren Cerullo.