PINBALL Beyond the Bumpers
A pinball Documentary written and Directed by Mark Helms, Produced by Mark Helms and Alejandro Torné
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“…A fascinating journey into the history of the machines!
– 5 Stars – Movies 101 – read the full review here
“…a thorough, info-packed trip through the history of the silver ball…” “…this is the kind of doc that’ll put a permanent nostalgic smile on your face.”
– FILM THREAT – read the full review here
BEST PINBALL DOCUMENTARY
BEST PINBALL DOCUMENTARY
“…a thorough, info-packed trip through the history of the silver ball…”
“…this is the kind of doc that’ll put a permanent nostalgic smile on your face.”
– FILM THREAT
“…A fascinating journey into the history of the machines!
– 5 Stars – Movies 101 – read the full review here
One Ball – Infinite stories!
Pinball Beyond the Bumpers is the most complete and visually dynamic documentary ever made about Pinball. From its origins in the 1600’s, through its wartime survival, cultural reinventions, up to its current day resurgence, Pinball Beyond the Bumpers take you on an amazing journey.
This show explores the modern day business of pinball and dives into its unique connection with Hollywood, Rock Music Icons, and American Pop culture. This documentary also confronts the games public image problems and it decades-long battles with sexism, gambling, and the rise of the almighty video game.
More than just a history, this is a cultural mirror, revealing how each era of the American landscape has changes this game in so many ways throughout the years. Over 15 years in the making, this is the definitive high energy story of an iconic American game.
Pinball has been misunderstood for decades. Filmmaker Mark Helms decided it was time to fix that. Pinball Beyond the Bumpers pulls back the curtain on the game the public never really knew the highs, the lows, the controversies, and the improbable comeback happening right now.
One Ball – Infinite stories!
Pinball Beyond the Bumpers is the most complete and visually dynamic documentary ever made about Pinball. From its origins in the 1600’s, through its wartime survival, cultural reinventions, up to its current day resurgence, Pinball Beyond the Bumpers take you on an amazing journey.
This show explores the modern day business of pinball and dives into its unique connection with Hollywood, Rock Music Icons, and American Pop culture. This documentary also confronts the games public image problems and it decades-long battles with sexism, gambling, and the rise of the almighty video game.
More than just a history, this is a cultural mirror, revealing how each era of the American landscape has changes this game in so many ways throughout the years. Over 15 years in the making, this is the definitive high energy story of an iconic American game.
Category: Non-Fiction Documentary
Running time: 75 min
Director: Mark Helms
Cast: Reby Hardy, Roger Sharpe, Gary Stern, Jack Guarnieri, Slash, Ron Shuster and Mark Helms
Finally, a Pinball Documentary that deserves an Extra Ball
My Pinball Story
My Pinball story starts as many a young lad’s does, growing up in suburbia in America. One day my parents took me and my sister Susan to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was around 9 years old. The beach was fun, but after a while I wandered down the boardwalk and saw these cool looking machines inside the darkened arcade just off of the boardwalk. As I got closer, I realized that what had really caught my eye were a long line of pinball machines.
I quickly learned that the price of admission to play these wonderful, colorful, exciting machines was only a quarter. I immediately returned with as many quarters as I had in my shorts at the beach. I also learned from the others playing that afternoon in that arcade in Myrtle Beach that the object was to play as many games as possible on the same quarter. I quickly understood that this was easier said than done. Others who were playing were rejoicing or cursing at these pinball machines, depending on how their game was going. Everyone playing around me that day—the teenagers and the grown-ups—all wanted the same thing: to win a free game.
So, on that hot August afternoon at that arcade at Myrtle Beach, I learned that it would be a great idea to improve my pinball skills quickly so that I could keep playing for free while having a total blast! From that moment on, I was hooked on the great American Invention called the Pinball machine.
Mark Helms
Roger Sharpe
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Roger Sharpe
Self - Interviewee
Author,editor, professional pinball player, and game designer.
Gary Stern
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Gary Stern
Self - Interviewee
Founder of Stern Pinball, the largest manufacturer of pinball machines on earth.
Steve Ritchie
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Steve Ritchie
Self - Interviewee
American pinball and video game designer. He is known as the best selling professional designer in pinball history.
Mark Helms
Self - Host
Cast
Mark Helms
Self - Host
Writer, Producer, Director,Creator, Narrator, Voice actor,pinball player, and Eagle Scout.
Jeremy Packer
Self - Interviewee (as Zombie Yeti)
Cast
Jeremy Packer
Self - Interviewee (as Zombie Yeti)
American illustrator who gained recognition in the pinball industry for his dynamic comic-inspired art style.
Ron Shuster
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Ron Shuster
Self - Interviewee
Owner and founder of the Pinball Country Club in Normalville , Pennsylvania, USA. Considered pinball Royalty among collectors and competitive pinball players around the world.
Slash
Themselves (uncredited)
Cast
Slash
Themselves (uncredited)
Famous British/American musician. Best known as the lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses. Accomplished pinball game designer and composer.
Reby Hardy
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Reby Hardy
Self - Interviewee
Author,content creator,actress,game designer, professional wrestler, and pianist.
Crystaltina
Self
Cast
Crystaltina
Self
Actress,model,creator,advocate,educator,pinball player and storyteller.
Richard Bueschel
Self - Interviewee (archive footage)
Cast
Richard-Bueschel
Self - Interviewee (archive footage)
Chicago born pioneering historian, author, and renowned researcher of pinball and coin operated amusements.
Jack Guarnieri
Self - Interviewee
Cast
Jack Guarnieri
Self - Interviewee
Founder of Jersey Jack Pinball. Pinball visionary who has dedicated his career to keeping the timeless magic of pinball alive.
Digital Press Kit
PINBALL
BEYOND THE BUMPERS
Finally, a Pinball Documentary that deserves an Extra Ball
Directed By
Mark Helms
Produced By
Mark Helms & Alejandro Torné
Genre
Documentary
Runtime
75 minutes
Distribution
Vision Films
Production
New Video Images
01 SYNOPSIS
Follow the "silver ball" from the 1600s to the major resurgence today with rock stars, celebrities, past and present gaming legends, and more.
02 FILM INFORMATION
TITLE
Pinball: Beyond the Bumpers
GENRE
History Documentary
RUNTIME
75 minutes
DIRECTOR
Mark Helms
PRODUCER
Mark Helms & Alejandro Torné
03 PRESS PHOTOS — FILM STILLS
POSTER Official theatrical poster. Provided by Vision Films.
STILL Pinball game Xenon, 1980. World's first talking pinball machine.
STILL Reby Hardy, Independent Pinball Designer.
ARCHIVAL A game of 9 holes, circa the 1600s — earliest origins of pinball.
STILL Pinball game Improvements in Bagatelle, 1871. First real pinball machine ever made.
STILL Roger Sharpe, the man who helped legalize pinball.
STILL Gary Stern, founder & owner of Stern Pinball — world's largest pinball manufacturer.
STILL Pinball game Balls-A-Poppin', 1956. A landmark early multiball machine.
STILL Pinball game Firepower, 1980. First pinball machine with networked multi-player speech.
STILL Eric Meunier, Jersey Jack Pinball, discussing Guns N' Roses pinball game.
STILL The silver ball captured in motion.
PROMOTIONAL Pinball machine Firepower, 1980. First pinball machine with networked multi-player speech.
04 BEHIND THE SCENES
BTS Director Mark Helms playing pinball in a pub.
BTS Pictured left to right: Mark Helms, Alejandro Torné, Stu Bloomstein, Pinball Collector.
