# Pinball Film Seeks Funding

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2011-10-15  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/pbdg.html

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## Analysis

A San Francisco-based indie film project titled 'Pinball Donut Girl' is seeking crowdfunding to complete a comedic love story set in the pinball tournament and donut shop scene. The film stars Jane Wiedlin and has already raised over $7,000 with backing from notable pinball industry figures including Gene Cunningham, John Popadiuk, the Pacific Pinball Museum, and Jeri Ellsworth. Production is planned for November 2011 with a fundraising deadline at the end of October.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Pinball Donut Girl needs $21,750 to complete production — _Producer Anna Newman stated projected costs to Pinball News_
- [HIGH] The film has already raised more than $7,000 since the start of October — _Direct statement in article about fundraising progress_
- [HIGH] Jane Wiedlin (Star Trek, The Go-Go's) stars in the film — _Casting information provided in article_
- [HIGH] One scene was already shot at California Extreme using a Gottlieb Slick Chick from Pacific Pinball Museum — _Producer statement; photo documentation included_
- [HIGH] Planned shooting is scheduled for San Francisco in November 2011 — _Producer Anna Newman's statement about timeline_

### Notable Quotes

> "Matt's never known a girl like Julie; she's a pinball genius in a vintage dress. He's just a fraternity pledge trying to escape his rural roots. Can Matt win Julie's love when he doesn't have a decent skill shot? Will Julie's dreams of winning a pinball tournament come true? Do apple fritters have way too many calories?"
> — **Film storyline description**, N/A
> _Official plot summary establishing the comedic romantic tone and pinball/donut shop setting_

> "Anna already funded the shooting of one of the scenes at California Extreme, using a Gottlieb Slick Chick supplied as part of a display by the Pacific Pinball Museum."
> — **Pinball News article**, N/A
> _Demonstrates community support and already-completed production work_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Pinball Donut Girl | product | Indie comedy film project centered on pinball tournaments and donut shop, starring Jane Wiedlin |
| Anna Newman | person | Producer of Pinball Donut Girl film; seeking crowdfunding and coordinating production |
| Jane Wiedlin | person | Star of Pinball Donut Girl; known from Star Trek and The Go-Go's |
| Pacific Pinball Museum | organization | Supported film production by supplying Gottlieb Slick Chick machine for filming at California Extreme; listed as project backer |
| Gene Cunningham | person | Pinball industry figure backing the Pinball Donut Girl project |
| John Popadiuk | person | Pinball industry figure backing the Pinball Donut Girl project |
| Jeri Ellsworth | person | Pinball industry figure backing the Pinball Donut Girl project |
| California Extreme | event | Venue where scenes from Pinball Donut Girl were filmed; provided location and pinball machine access |
| Gottlieb Slick Chick | game | Vintage pinball machine used in filming at California Extreme |
| San Francisco | location | Base location for indie film makers; planned shooting location for November 2011 |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Film production and crowdfunding, Pinball culture and community
- **Secondary:** Industry support and backing, Pinball in media and entertainment

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Enthusiastic coverage of indie film project with strong community support and celebrity casting. No negative commentary; tone is supportive of the initiative.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Pinball industry figures (Gene Cunningham, John Popadiuk, Jeri Ellsworth) and organizations (Pacific Pinball Museum) actively backing indie film project, demonstrating cross-community support (confidence: high) — Multiple named backers listed; museum providing equipment and location support
- **[market_signal]** Pinball culture gaining mainstream media attention through entertainment projects; narrative of pinball as setting for contemporary storytelling (confidence: medium) — Celebrity casting (Jane Wiedlin), mainstream film production format, integration with established venues (California Extreme)

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## Transcript

Date: 15th October, 2011

A group of indie film makers and pinball enthusiasts based in the San Francisco area are looking for donations to fund a comedic love story set against the backdrop of pinball tournaments and a donut shop.

The short film's storyline is described thus: "Matt’s never known a girl like Julie; she’s a pinball genius in a vintage dress. He’s just a fraternity pledge trying to escape his rural roots. Can Matt win Julie’s love when he doesn’t have a decent skill shot? Will Julie’s dreams of winning a pinball tournament come true? Do apple fritters have way too many calories?"

Pinball Donut Girl will star Jane Wiedlin (Star Trek, The Go-Go's), but the crew need donations to meet the projected $21,750 costs.

The film's Producer, Anna Newman, told Pinball News that she hopes to go ahead with shooting in San Francisco in November, so really needs to raise the necessary funds by the end of October to pay the crew and hire the equipment.

Anna already funded the shooting of one of the scenes at California Extreme, using a Gottlieb Slick Chick supplied as part of a display by the Pacific Pinball Museum.

Shooting one of the scenes from Pinball Donut Girl at California Extreme

(photo by Melanie Nelson)

The project has already attracted more than $7,000 since the start of the month as well as the backing of some well-known names in the pinball business, including Gene Cunningham, John Popadiuk, the Pacific Pinball Museum and Jeri Ellsworth, along with many others.

Donors receive a range of benefits depending on the size of contributions, from access to behind-the-scenes pictures, copies of the film on DVD, a poster for the movie, pinball art photographs, and even an appearance in the film itself.

More shooting at California Extreme

(photo by Melanie Nelson)

You can find out more about the benefits available and donate to help make the film a reality here.

More information about the cast, crew, story and fund-raising efforts is available in Anna's article on the Film Courage site and on the film's dedicated website.

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 78f4694b-e254-41f5-9439-2ff56104376e*