I'm thrilled to start this thread on a long overdue documentary film about our beloved hobby entitled: Welcome to Arcadia.

In the preview (link below), I narrate a segment concentrating on electromechanical arcade games ("video games, before video games existed").

The film traces the history of pinball and arcade games from the industry's inception until today. The film's vibe is more MTV than PBS. . .very visually appealing (and hopefully entertaining).

Barcades, coin-op, vintage toy factory, bronze age video games, the Jon Torrence Morphy's pinball auction. . .a comprehensive history. . .to be released in theaters and/or perhaps on Netflix, likely in 2020.

For anyone who grew up in the sixties, seventies or eighties, I think that this film will bring a smile. So too for hobbyists raised in the nineties because the film covers modern gaming as well, right up to today's Apple Arcade.

Password (if required) is: arcadedreams

https://vimeo.com/332254521/315d724beb

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://vimeo.com/332254521/315d724beb?fbclid=IwAR3kUo7FHj4uSoTHqoKWk9jFEnsNyqkwFbIpoK6D6BJefttBZs_2lSryb-s&h=AT1sOVuNT97J_BQn1e5SvY5e9z5A_BJn77y904g-UsIUABdORWRQc2vMCgH_GwEHnR-T81ogSN5_9q_YXZ6IbasI1A11-7pzMbTqbwriicPaqLhaXSF5XIEH3lZSYTAs8w

Please post your impressions of this preview.

In addition to the above segment, which best represents the "flavor and tone of the film," below is an early movie trailer (more glitzy than the actual documentary, but fun nonetheless).

https://vimeo.com/283410959

Thank you.

Try password: arcadedreams

Link to the film is working now with password: arcadedreams

My apologies. If you like this project, please "like" the movie's Facebook page at this link:

https://arcadiathemovie.com/

Just tested the Welcome to Arcadia film private Vimeo link. Yes, the link is currently requiring password: arcadedreams

Screenshot_20191001-225018_Facebook (resized).jpg

Thanks very much for inquiring.

The filming itself is nearing completion. A new trailer ought to be released this month or next.

We need more Twitter followers in order to properly promote the film. Please follow us at:

[https://twitter.com/DocArcadia]

Welcome to Arcadia -- Bruce (resized).jpg

Thanks for your comments, which I will pass along to the director. All ideas are welcome. . .hence the name: Welcome to Arcadia.

Welcome to Arcadia will be the director's second documentary film. His first documentary, entitled: VIVA AMIGA, was well-received and was in the running for a film festival nomination. VIVA AMIGA, released in 2017, is currently on Netflix and/or Amazon. It's described as "a retro love letter to the fans and creators of the Commodore Amiga, a machine that changed the way people thought of computers."

The cinematographer who shot the scenes in my basement arcade is Bill Winters. He's a very talented asset to Welcome to Arcadia who worked on the Ted Bundy Netflix series. It's very exciting to be part of the creative group behind this project.

We're seeking a sort of MTV meets PBS vibe for the film. With all of the diverse footage we've created, the project is well suited for a Netflix series. The film's team greatly appreciates all those who follow the project on Twitter. Evidently, such things are pretty important to launching a film of this nature.
[https://twitter.com/DocArcadia]

The original concept for Welcome to Arcadia was to create a feature length documentary for release in theaters.

That idea has gradually migrated into a Netflix format. This transformation is the product of the variety of footage obtained these past two years, e.g. Video Games Before Video Games Existed (Electromechanical Arcades), The Barcade Scene, The 25 cent Toy Factory, Galloping Ghost Arcade, Pinball.

The director has discussed distribution. Nevertheless, as a creative consultant and producer, I invite messages from Pinsiders with ideas.

My daughter, Kiki, is in the film. She's wearing vintage 1970s attire, including Jordache jeans. Remember those?

Welcome to Arcadia -- Kiki (resized).jpg

Compare my snapshot above with this professional photography, for the film.

FB_IMG_1581143103067 (resized).jpg

Much appreciated, Caitlyn. We've got tons of fantastic footage and cool stories to tell. The project is large in scope, exploring the industry from its inception to the people who inject it with vitality today. It's very exciting.

I am very excited to post the Welcome to Arcadia kickstarter launch link below. Full disclosure: I am the pinball and electromechanical arcade advisor on the film.

We're hoping to garner as much attention as possible through social media so feel free to repost the link elsewhere and like it wherever it appears (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). I think that this project is going to make a fantastic Netflix series.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=655558511901979&id=543355825995965

More information on the film is here. The scope of the project is enormous, including interviews of industry leaders past and present.

https://www.arcadiathemovie.com/

Thank you in advance for checking it out. This film series is a magnificent celebration of our beloved hobby.

You are correct. The documentary film's new title is: Arcade Dreams. It appears that Jeremy Packer (a/k/a Zombie Yeti) will be the featured artist for the film's upcoming Kickstarter, where limited Zombie Yeti items will be available to sponsors. Everyone working on the film, including me, is over-the-moon excited about the Zombie Yeti involvement in the project.

The film's release is targeted for 2021. I'm an advisor. Here's an active link to the 12 minute segment which I narrate and in which I appear:

https://vimeo.com/373213017/6b7c121826

Additionally, here's the Arcade Dreams trailer, which demonstrates the film's tone, a sort of PBS meets MTV vibe:

https://arcadedocumentary.com/

I will chime in here with the Kickstarter link when it's available in the next few months. The trailer link contains links to the film's Twitter and Facebook pages as well. Thanks for your interest.

Thank you very much for your comment. We have so much great content in the editing process. The film will focus on the universe of coin-op, with emphasis on the 1970s to the present.

Persons age 40 to 70 will probably have the strongest connection to Arcade Dreams. However, the younger generations will also enjoy the footage of newer games and their connection to historical origins.

I suspect and hope that the final product will be a series of films to maximize the audience. It's all very exciting. The PBS meets MTV vibe makes the film appealing to many of us who grew up at the dawn of the video age.

Here's the latest on Arcade Dreams. The Kickstarter begins soon, perhaps next week.

https://games.mxdwn.com/news/rock-steady-media-partnering-with-joblo-movie-productions-on-arcade-dreams/

That's kind of you to say, New Jersey accent and all on my part. None of us on film is professional talent. Rather, we are real people in the hobby.

I was brought into the documentary as the pinball/arcade historian. I ended up taking on the role as one of the movie's producers. It's very exciting.

I am thrilled to announce that the official Arcade Dreams kickstarter has begun today, October 21, 2020! Thanks in advance for your support. Here are the links:

Kickstarter - https://bit.ly/ArcadeDoc
Homepage - https://arcadedocumentary.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeDreamsDoc
Twitter - https://twitter.com/arcadedreamsdoc
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arcadedreamsdoc
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7o15moM4mrnDUR8tG3R3Bg

I am posting the Arcade Dreams documentary film KICKSTARTER links again because we are down to the final 11 days (it began on 10/21/2020). This Kickstarter has raised almost $73,000 thus far. The goal is $95,000.
My Pinsider friends will recall that I'm a producer and advisor on this documentary. Support of this Kickstarter at any of the levels is greatly appreciated. Check out the link to see what you get! Many thanks to Robin for headlining Arcade Dreams on Pinside!

Arcade Dreams is an exhilarating new documentary from the creators of VIVA AMIGA. This new film explores all that is fun about arcades, straight from the mouths of designers, curators, collectors, historians, celebrity fans, operators, restorers, enthusiasts, arcade/pinball fanatics and industry legends. . .

This film is going to bring considerable attention to our fantastic hobby. Feel free to share.
Here are the links:
Kickstarter - https://bit.ly/ArcadeDoc
Homepage - https://arcadedocumentary.com/
Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/ArcadeDreamsDoc
Twitter - https://twitter.com/arcadedreamsdoc
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arcadedreamsdoc
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7o15moM4mrnDUR8tG3R3Bg

We're up to $81,420, with 4 days to go. . . closing in on our $95,000 target. The excitement is growing.

664 backers and counting. Many thanks to fellow Pinsiders!

Documentary Arcade Dreams article appearing in Boing Boing: https://boingboing.net/2020/12/01/arcade-dreams-documentary-covers-a-century-of-game-history.html?fbclid=IwAR1ubfyQALfO0Xr1fsXepcXcedRJOk9TN-XGmM89CDY4x564Z4L5On9lomU

The Kickstarter concluded this morning. I am very pleased to report that $103,509 was raised, well in excess of the $95K target.

Many thanks to fellow Pinsiders and to Robin for featuring the Kickstarter in the banner these last few weeks!

Screenshot_20201205-112715_Facebook (resized).jpg

My son and I are featured in this segment, at the grand opening of the Lucky Snake Arcade in Atlantic City, NJ, which is located within the Showboat Casino. The film project is advancing. Exciting things are in the offing.

https://fb.watch/7Q9wwjrCb2/

For those who missed the live event or the live-stream, here's my 10 minute presentation at Pinball Expo 2021 in Illinois last week on October 29th.

I discuss the philosophical concept of games, beginning at the 9:04 mark, as part of the Arcade Dreams documentary series segment.

The film director, Zach Weddington, begins the presentation at 8:43. The project's excitement continues to build. Tune in to see some sneak peeks.

https://www.twitch.tv/pinballexpo/v/1190177331?sr=a&t=32596s

Screenshot_20211106-222253_Chrome (resized).jpg

Here's the film's just-released, updated trailer, featuring additional pinball and arcade dignitaries. Check out some new familiar faces and places!

Thank you.

Gary Stern, Jersey Jack, as well as several pinball and arcade designers have all been interviewed and added to the project. Exciting times!