Full Tilt (Documentary)

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  • čas přidán 22. 11. 2021
  • Based in Canada's capital, retired business owner Mike Loftus has succeeded in opening a gateway to his youth in the form of a classic pinball arcade. Going on four years of success, Mike has his sights set on expansion - in the process, diving deep into his passion for this all but forgotten mechanical staple of decades past.
    This film won Best Documentary in the Long Short Category of Toronto's Alternative Film Festival, where it was also a semi-finalist for Best Director! It was also selected for inclusion in the Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival, the Hamilton Youth Film Festival, and the SHINE Online International Film Festival.
    Thank you for watching!
  • Krátké a kreslené filmy

Komentáře • 89

  • @BlackburnBigdragon
    @BlackburnBigdragon Před 2 lety +26

    One interesting thing I learned about pinball after my many years of visiting pinball museums and clubs is basically, "The older the pinball machine, the greater the "Screw You!" factor for the layout of the playfield. Older machines seem absolutely designed with layouts that just send those balls into the gutters, and right down that middle, without any flippers having the ability to stop them, than more modern machines. Older machines seem a lot more luck based than modern ones as well. The old machines have their charm, but the ones from say, the late 80's and onward are a LOT more skill based (with some luck thrown in) than their predecessors, it seems. I've played older tables where you're lucky to get one flipper hit on the ball before it gets swallowed up by a gutter.

    • @S.J.C._Entertainment
      @S.J.C._Entertainment Před rokem +2

      El dorado is a pretty brutal game

    • @willierants5880
      @willierants5880 Před 9 měsíci +2

      I would agree with you if it weren't for two things. Human intervention and skill. For someone just walking up to a pinball machine without knowing what it is, yes. For someone who sticks with it, watches and learns it's a whole other game entirely. That said the beauty of pinball is that there is an element of luck or fate. Also no two pinball machines are the same. Every game plays differently. You could have 10 of the same type of machine lined up and each one will play slightly differently. Then there is the mechanical nature of the game. The physicality of it.
      My son and I, we like the classics. We also like modern machines, but the classics have something about them.

    • @davidcollier6156
      @davidcollier6156 Před 8 měsíci +1

      They were obviously made to make money, not give you 10 minute ball times.

    • @patrickledonne5547
      @patrickledonne5547 Před 4 měsíci +1

      All coin op games were difficult by design. A game that averages 5 minutes of play for 25 cents can earn $3 per hour. A 10 minute play only $1.50 per hour. Games became longer and easier on home consoles which likely carried over to pinball.

    • @LuRuello
      @LuRuello Před 3 měsíci

      In the 70's I was a pinball wizard! So much so that I would win free games and take the coin off the table from the next guy waiting and let him have say 5 free games for 10 cents lol. The shopkeeper banned me from playing because I was too good and would hold up the machine for hours lol. He eventually had the board raised to Pro level so that you would gutter ball in seconds lol...This of course ruined interest in playing again and he lost revenue lol.

  • @billchapman0
    @billchapman0 Před 2 lety +8

    Awesome place - I stop by every time I'm in Ottawa. Pinball is timeless, my young children love it too, and Mike is a great guy.

  • @calvinengel3830
    @calvinengel3830 Před rokem +21

    It’s hard to find quality documentaries on CZcams, this was great! Great visuals, and those opening titles were fantastic. Great work, keep it up!

  • @derekthomson2482
    @derekthomson2482 Před 2 lety +10

    Great documentary, our story is very similar in Edmonton where we created one of the largest pinball and arcade collections for free play in Canada. Wish you all the best of success!!!

  • @alZiiHardstylez
    @alZiiHardstylez Před rokem +15

    Mate. Top tier and well put together. I admire and respect the fella. It was a reminder that passion and love for what you do breeds success. Sometime I get lost in numbers and the bottom line rather than loving what I do. Mike was the breath of fresh air I needed to wake myself up a little.

    • @BillAnt
      @BillAnt Před 9 měsíci +1

      Pinball is summed up well at 14:02 "it's an interesting time capsule in the subconscious..."

  • @GoMArkkrAM
    @GoMArkkrAM Před rokem +1

    There is nothing in this world can stop a man when they find his passion and the purpose of his life.

  • @GrantLenaarts
    @GrantLenaarts Před rokem +3

    This is absolutely beautiful, the portal into the past indeed.

  • @wizardofyore
    @wizardofyore Před 2 lety +19

    dude this is such a great documentary! super compelling and well made! loved it!!

  • @jessreagansalzman
    @jessreagansalzman Před 3 dny

    Love this story ❤ Thank you for doing what you do for pinball 🪩

  • @edwardqueen1559
    @edwardqueen1559 Před 2 lety +6

    Amazing! So glad there is people like him keeping these amazing works of art working. I love Roadshow. My 1st pin.

  • @moobutt
    @moobutt Před rokem +1

    Fantastic. I have the pinball disease as well. There’s pins and gumball machines and a jukebox in my living room for Pete’s sake. Thank you for keeping the scene alive.

  • @xbman46x
    @xbman46x Před 2 lety +6

    I wish this gentleman much success. Nice job on the documentary. They should host IFPA tournaments on some nights and draw in the tournament players.

    • @bobgomez9481
      @bobgomez9481 Před 8 měsíci

      There's a reason these places do not host IFPA events.... the players are a pain in the ass...

    • @joninfect8681
      @joninfect8681 Před 6 měsíci

      ​@bobgomez9481 we play tournaments there every week 😅

    • @bobgomez9481
      @bobgomez9481 Před 6 měsíci

      @@joninfect8681 - still a bunch of pains in the ass, "professional pinball players"

  • @robertfrost8264
    @robertfrost8264 Před 2 lety +4

    12:42 I love that this video made it into my algorithm

    • @robertfrost8264
      @robertfrost8264 Před 2 lety

      He's gonna get a Rush though, haha obviously

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před 2 lety

      @@robertfrost8264 All I can say for certain is that Mike has his sights set on a Led Zeppelin. That said, were both surprised and delighted by the announcement of Rush due to them being a Canadian band. Personally, anything made in the 90s and backwards is far more interesting to me both aesthetically and gameplay-wise.

  • @krikon575
    @krikon575 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Great documentary and perfect running time, sometimes excessively long documentaries can get boring but this one never did. Im not quite as obsessed by pinball but i got my digital pinball cab at home with vpx etc....

  • @warhogz5638
    @warhogz5638 Před 2 lety +3

    One ball to rule them all...Thank you ;-)

  • @jameswilson4426
    @jameswilson4426 Před 2 lety +2

    Excellent production values. Very enjoyable documentary. I was rooting for Mike the whole time.

  • @brewedVFX
    @brewedVFX Před 10 měsíci +1

    That intro is super cool, hats off to you for the visual design and transitions.

  • @datagod
    @datagod Před rokem +1

    Awesome documentary! I love going to the Neighborhood pub for pinball.

  • @antonnikolaevichvlassiouk6490

    Awesome documentary!! ( I think Pinball is becoming more popular now)!!

  • @nancyhiscock9063
    @nancyhiscock9063 Před 2 lety +5

    Fabulous- love it! Well done!

  • @jimmycroce9902
    @jimmycroce9902 Před 3 měsíci

    Thank You!

  • @Andrew-pk9vz
    @Andrew-pk9vz Před rokem +1

    I love this, I live in Ottawa and had no idea this existed❣️

  • @ALLSKIING133
    @ALLSKIING133 Před 2 lety +4

    Awesome job!

  • @deuzdeuz8115
    @deuzdeuz8115 Před 2 lety +3

    I dream about a place like this in my area. Or even a tiny arcade with just 5 pinball machines.
    There's almost nowhere to play pinball in France.
    Here, it's recently coming back in people's houses (got one myself, wish I could have the place and money for more) but still not in arcades ans bars, where it's meant to be :(

  • @stefanb7015
    @stefanb7015 Před rokem +1

    Great video,thanks for sharing your story.

  • @cigarsandpins4781
    @cigarsandpins4781 Před 2 lety +4

    Great job on this! I really like the production quality but it was short and sweet at the same time. I’m a home collector and love all things Pinball so this was right up my alley. Thanks for uploading!

  • @nolesdennhardt8986
    @nolesdennhardt8986 Před 2 měsíci

    Awesome!

  • @SG25
    @SG25 Před 2 lety +1

    Great job on this! Congratulations and thank you for making it.

  • @andyblackpool
    @andyblackpool Před rokem

    Fabulous!

  • @LoveXKnife
    @LoveXKnife Před 11 měsíci

    I think I might have a newfound addiction to pinball and this video is a great look into the hobby.
    Wonderful video. Thanks for sharing.

  • @LexEllis
    @LexEllis Před rokem

    Thank you for this Ben!

  • @RetroReef
    @RetroReef Před rokem

    Really well made doc! Thanks for sharing. Love pinball.

  • @jayme69
    @jayme69 Před rokem

    Awesome documentary! Thanks for sharing your passion and all the best for the future :-)

  • @kunekshan
    @kunekshan Před 9 měsíci

    Thanks for this 😎❤️

  • @intheshedd
    @intheshedd Před 10 měsíci

    Awesome doc. Great Job! I love pinball.

  • @drasticmart
    @drasticmart Před 7 měsíci

    Great documentary, will look for your stuff in the future

  • @traviswright456
    @traviswright456 Před 4 měsíci

    Your living my dream. Gald to see you preserving those awesome machines. Keep it up man👏👍🤙🎮🕹

  • @jakedemarsh
    @jakedemarsh Před rokem

    Great Job Buddy super cool! 👌 well done!!

  • @DidYouReadEULA
    @DidYouReadEULA Před rokem

    13:08 Nice camerawork. Love the history, thanks.

  • @marcelcevani5688
    @marcelcevani5688 Před rokem

    You have so much passion ❤️. I loving it. I wish I could visit this place in the future. Greetings from Germany.

  • @danielschiavo5371
    @danielschiavo5371 Před rokem

    Very good documental, and WOW, the opening titles were fantastic !!!!!! 👏👏👏
    Greetings from Buenos Aires 🙂
    Daniel

  • @junior_pinball
    @junior_pinball Před rokem +1

    There used to be an unlimited pinball place in Tennessee but they sadly shut down not too long ago and got replaced by a crappy pay to play arcade. They had one of the rarest games: Hercules too

  • @supersonyk4343
    @supersonyk4343 Před rokem

    Great pinball documentary ! I already go there once in 2017 with my brother & friend, great place and we also meet Mike, really cool guy !! We really need to go back soon...

  • @friguy4444
    @friguy4444 Před 7 měsíci

    5:07 "It isn't rocket science. It's layers of simple complication>" LOL! Talk about an oxymoron LOL. AWESOME!! Genius!!

  • @shnibby69
    @shnibby69 Před rokem +1

    Eight Ball Deluxe, yes! (Capt. Fantastic was AWESOME, too!)!

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před rokem +2

      Chalk up!

    • @shnibby69
      @shnibby69 Před rokem

      @@benwillms Yes! Forgot about that! Great doc, Ben!

  • @chaos120
    @chaos120 Před rokem

    Awesome

  • @DJDonkeytron
    @DJDonkeytron Před 3 měsíci

    I like the DMD and LCD games; Anything from Theatre of Magic as a casual to newer games like Stern's Star Wars or Godzilla etc.

  • @IJUSTENDEDU
    @IJUSTENDEDU Před 2 lety

    well done

  • @eyeprod3101
    @eyeprod3101 Před 2 lety

    I liked it. This guy is cool.

  • @travisguide4516
    @travisguide4516 Před rokem

    What a cool dude one place around here where i live runs this theme too i love the time machine they provide

  • @coten
    @coten Před 2 lety +1

    i really enjoyed this! i especially liked the wide variety of tables you featured from the arcade & Mike's collection.
    i wonder how much time was spent during filming/editing making sure the different games' displays had as little flicker as possible...

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před 2 lety +2

      Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed.
      The answer to your musings is a lot! A good chunk of crew time at the start of each shoot involved checking and rechecking shutter speeds. We learned the hard way that the varying brightness of DMD dots (for shaded areas of the animations) wildly affects the amount of flicker, so unfortunately some flicker was unavoidable in those cases.

  • @clydeg4274
    @clydeg4274 Před 10 měsíci

    Man I love pinball.. wish it was still common to find machines around

  • @georgewindsor2667
    @georgewindsor2667 Před rokem

    i own a Captain Fantastic...simple game but the art is tops.

  • @pinballjunkies
    @pinballjunkies Před rokem

    "I have a 6 year old, she has no idea what she's doing" that part made me lol 🤣

  • @tait316
    @tait316 Před 2 lety

    That was great. It's wonderful to see people running places like this. What's with the Blonde Red though Mike? lol.

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před 2 lety

      I was curious about Red too, so I asked him. The short of it is he was dissatisfied with the quality of the red braids she wears from the factory, and replaced them with a human hair wig made by a former girlfriend, who was growing her hair out at the time. I must admit, if I didn't know better I'd assume it was stock, it's applied very carefully. In his defense, Red is shown as blonde on the side art of the backbox!

  • @rustylozanolpc4227
    @rustylozanolpc4227 Před rokem

    Your playfields are pristine! How do you keep them so clean??

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před rokem +1

      Doctor’s orders: New posts, rubbers, and a full cleaning of plastics for every “new” game that comes through the arcade door (using Windex, Novus No. 2, ultrasonic cleaning, or any combination of these), steel wool and a couple days of walnut tumbling for grungy metal components, and an initial wipe-down with Novus No. 2 for shine (repeated occasionally as needed over time).

  • @HAUB
    @HAUB Před 10 měsíci

    Nice nice nice

  • @dangermartin69
    @dangermartin69 Před 2 lety +1

    Pinball Medics is the place for parts.

  • @parkerbohnn
    @parkerbohnn Před 2 lety

    You need to talk to Adam Becker he's got about 120 machines and did that documentary without telling me he was doing it. If you make another documentary get in touch with me. I taught Adam to play pinball but this country has no talent other than me.

  • @Nik-ny9ue
    @Nik-ny9ue Před 2 měsíci

    Ontario accent my beloved

  • @Rage-td9wv
    @Rage-td9wv Před 8 měsíci

    I wish I would have been into pinball when there were actually tables one could play. They were around here and there, but basically no tables anywhere. If you do find one once in a blue moon, it's in terrible shape. And those aren't even around anymore. Back in the day, I was into the arcade games so ignored pinball. I didn't even play the arcade games very often. I spent my money collecting albums then albums and beer.

  • @richardjohanzh
    @richardjohanzh Před 2 měsíci

    Very very nice! But green leds in the Space Invaders head? I would say stay away from colored leds in classic games...

  • @davidcutts9079
    @davidcutts9079 Před 2 lety

    Good luck, don't suck.

  • @Gypsycat19
    @Gypsycat19 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I have a banzai run pinball

    • @benwillms
      @benwillms  Před 4 měsíci

      That's fantastic, Gypsycat! Great-looking machine and one of Pat Lawlor's gems, I'd love to play one.

  • @jmike2039
    @jmike2039 Před 10 měsíci

    The opening music is the most confusing sounding song on the planet

  • @lukeaustin814
    @lukeaustin814 Před 2 lety

    Guacamole.

  • @dggratton
    @dggratton Před 3 měsíci

    Targ subcontracts pinball medics to fix their pin tables right? I've seen guy with pinball medic patch on his back tinkering with out of order pin tables @ targ.

  • @LaserSharkPhotoablations
    @LaserSharkPhotoablations Před 5 měsíci

    Teds Face needs servicing...