Drinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3

Stern Pinball·video·5m 55s·analyzed·Feb 11, 2022

Analysis

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TL;DR

Greg Freres discusses Elvira art design and pinball industry experiences with Jack Danger.

Summary

Jack Danger interviews pinball artist Greg Freres about his career in pinball art design, focusing on the Elvira game series (Party Monsters, Scared Stiff, Elvira's House of Horrors). Freres discusses the 40th anniversary cabinet design featuring purple background and cheetah print requested by Cassandra Peterson, the collaborative process with designer Dennis Nordman, and memorable industry experiences including meeting Patrick Stewart at Paramount Studios during Star Trek: The Next Generation licensing work.

Key Claims

Cassandra Peterson specifically requested cheetah print for the Elvira 40th anniversary cabinet design
high confidence · Greg Freres directly states: 'Cassandra literally asked us for cheetah print on that cabinet, so we gave it to her.'
The Party Monsters Elvira game was themed around a party concept based on Cassandra Peterson's historical role as a Coors beer spokesperson
high confidence · Freres explains: 'She was a Coors beer spokesperson way back in the day. We thought, wow, she's a spokesperson for Coors beer. Why don't we do a party-themed game? That's how Party Monsters came about.'
Scared Stiff was pitched to Williams after Party Monsters, with initial resistance from Williams staff
high confidence · Freres states: 'we went to Williams—Williams Valley at the time—and said, "Hey, we want to do another game with Cassandra." And a lot of people at Williams were kind of like, "Well, you already did that, didn't you?" We finally convinced people that this was something that would be worth doing.'
Elvira's House of Horrors was the first Elvira game to use actual footage of Cassandra Peterson specifically recorded for the game
high confidence · Freres explains: 'This is the first game where we've taken actual footage of her, you know, specifically saying the lines that we wanted her to say on camera, and then blending that with the video work that Chuck Ernst's group does.'
Dennis Nordman posted on Pinside proposing a third Elvira game collaboration with Greg Freres
high confidence · Freres recalls: 'I think Dennis put on Pinside several years ago, "Hey, what do you guys think if Greg and I got the band back together to do a third game?" And I think the overall response was pretty good.'

Notable Quotes

“Cassandra literally asked us for cheetah print on that cabinet, so we gave it to her.”
Greg Freres @ ~0:45 — Reveals direct creative input from Cassandra Peterson on 40th anniversary design details
“She was a Coors beer spokesperson way back in the day. We thought, wow, she's a spokesperson for Coors beer. Why don't we do a party-themed game?”
Greg Freres @ ~1:30 — Explains the thematic origin and inspiration for Party Monsters game concept
“This is the first game where we've taken actual footage of her, you know, specifically saying the lines that we wanted her to say on camera, and then blending that with the video work that Chuck Ernst's group does.”
Greg Freres @ ~3:45 — Highlights technical/production innovation in Elvira's House of Horrors video implementation
“When you get into the commissary, you cannot be a fanboy. You just gotta be cool.”
Greg Freres @ ~5:15 — Recounts professional etiquette guidance when meeting Patrick Stewart at Paramount Studios
“It helps when you enjoy what you do.”
Greg Freres @ ~6:30 — Concluding reflection on career satisfaction in pinball industry

Entities

Greg Freresperson Jack Dangerperson Cassandra Petersonperson Dennis Nordmanperson Chuck Ernstperson Patrick Stewartperson Steve Ritchieperson

Signals

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community_signal: Dennis Nordman used Pinside community forum to gauge interest in third Elvira collaboration before production greenlight
high · Greg Freres: 'I think Dennis put on Pinside several years ago, "Hey, what do you guys think if Greg and I got the band back together to do a third game?" And I think the overall response was pretty good.'
?
design_philosophy: Elvira's House of Horrors represents evolution in video implementation—first Elvira game using specifically filmed footage of Cassandra Peterson blended with professional animation rather than archival or simulated content
high · Greg Freres: 'This is the first game where we've taken actual footage of her, you know, specifically saying the lines that we wanted her to say on camera, and then blending that with the video work that Chuck Ernst's group does.'
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product_strategy: Elvira 40th anniversary features distinctive cabinet cosmetics (purple background, foil embossing with matte finish, cheetah print) distinguishing it from standard versions
high · Greg Freres describes special foil with embossing, matte finish, purple background, and cheetah print as 'stunning'
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licensing_signal: Direct talent input on game design: Cassandra Peterson actively involved in creative decisions for 40th anniversary edition, specifically requesting cheetah print aesthetic
high · Greg Freres: 'Cassandra literally asked us for cheetah print on that cabinet, so we gave it to her.'

Topics

Elvira game series design and developmentprimaryCassandra Peterson involvement in pinball productionprimaryVideo implementation and animation in pinballsecondaryPinball artist career experiences and industry connectionsprimaryLicensed IP partnerships in pinball (Star Trek, Paramount)secondaryCollaboration between designers and artists (Freres and Nordman)secondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Greg Freres expresses satisfaction with his career, pride in Elvira work, appreciation for collaborative experiences, and enjoyment of the pinball industry. Host Jack Danger is complimentary throughout. No negative sentiment present.

Transcript

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what do you do, you sit up or do you sit back? What's the point? I'm just lounging. Come on, you do this all the time? All right, ladies and gentlemen, what's going on? We are back, and I am sitting with famed pinball artist Greg Freres, who is in charge of some of your favorite art packages on pinball machines. Really? Yes, I hear yeah, I like that. We've got the energy here in the room tonight at the Stern stage. Greg, more notably, was the artist on all three Elvira games—Scared Stiff, Party Monsters, and more recently Elvira's House of Horrors. And I think we're gonna kick right into it, and I'm gonna read this question I was given, and I need Greg to tell us about what you did for Elvira's 40th anniversary. Oh, for the 40th anniversary version? Oh, that's a good question. Oh, thank you. 40th anniversary with the cabinet, we went to purple—a purple background. And with cheetah print. Cassandra literally asked us for cheetah print on that cabinet, so we gave it to her. The artwork on the sides has that sort of like holographic playing card feel to it, correct? It's a special foil with embossing and matte finish, and it's just—I think it's stunning. And we also changed the backglass up just a bit. Can you tell us a little bit about the experience of working on this Elvira, or maybe just like some awesome stories you have of working on all three over the years? It started with the party, right? So she was a Coors beer spokesperson way back in the day. We thought, wow, she's a spokesperson for Coors beer. Why don't we do a party-themed game? That's how Party Monsters came about. And then Dennis and I thought we could do another one, and we went to Williams—Williams Valley at the time—and said, "Hey, we want to do another game with Cassandra." And a lot of people at Williams were kind of like, "Well, you already did that, didn't you?" We finally convinced people that this was something that would be worth doing, and Scared Stiff was born. Instead of just a party, we wanted to turn it into—okay, she's hosting these movies, but she's doing it from her bed. On the backglass, was there always a plan in mind to do a third Elvira? I don't know if there was a plan, but I think Dennis put on Pinside several years ago, "Hey, what do you guys think if Greg and I got the band back together to do a third game?" And I think the overall response was pretty good. Yeah, no doubt. Like, all the Elvira games seem to be pretty big fan favorites, and including this one. I would consider like one of my—not to like throw any shade—but I think I like this one more than the other two. Thank you. Just the way it plays, the way it looks, the interactivity there with her talking to you—I think it's fantastic. Yeah, that's one thing that we're real proud of. This is the first game where we've taken actual footage of her, you know, specifically saying the lines that we wanted her to say on camera, and then blending that with the video work that Chuck Ernst's group does. And they did an amazing job. So what have been some of the cooler experiences you've had as an artist working in pinball? Like, going to certain events or you've been invited to certain parties, or met certain people that you never thought would have been a thing if you weren't in this industry doing this thing that you do? One of my favorite stories is when we worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation, we went out to Paramount Studios and we went to the commissary for lunch with the licensing folks. You know, we're working on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and who walks in to have his lunch? Patrick Stewart. And I see him walk right past us. Steve is busy, engaged in telling the licensing people what needed to be done for this game, and I was like, "It's Captain Picard. He's right here." And he sits down right behind me. Captain Picard is eating lunch right behind me, and I'm like—I'm trying to like, do something to Steve to go take a look—but we were told by the licensing rep: "When you get into the commissary, you cannot be a fanboy. You just gotta be cool." Right? So, man, that was tough. But when I saw the captain walk by, I was like, "Oh man, that's cool." So there have been moments that have been really special to be in this industry, and I've always appreciated all those moments. I'm excited for what's coming out. Thank you for everything you do, Gary. No problem. Thank you for working with me. Hopefully I didn't drive you too nuts. It helps when you enjoy what you do. That's what I like to hear.