Caine Monroy, a 9-year old boy from East LA spent his summer holidays building an elaborate arcade from empty cardboard boxes in his Dad's used auto parts store.
We stumbled accross this wonderful story and film by Nirvan and Interconnected about arcade machines.
"Caine dreamed of the day he would have lots of customers visit his arcade, and he spent months preparing everything, perfecting the game design, making displays for the prizes, designing elaborate security systems, and hand labeling paper-lunch-gift-bags."
"One day, by chance, I walked into Smart Parts Auto looking for a used door handle for my ’96 Corolla. What I found was an elaborate handmade cardboard arcade manned by a young boy who asked if I would like to play. I asked Caine how it worked and he told me that for $1 I could get two turns, or for $2 I could get a Fun Pass with 500 turns. I got the Fun Pass."
Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.
"This short film tells the story of Caine’s Arcade, and of our attempt to make Caine’s day.
A roughcut of the film premiered at DIY Days, where Caine set up his arcade for people to play. Caine was commissioned by an attendee to build a custom cardboard claw machine, which he did for $80.
After the flashmob, at the end of the day as Caine and his dad drove home, Caine turned to his dad and said, “Dad, this was the best day of my whole life.”
Please visit Caines Arcade page for further information or to make a donantion to the Caines Arcade Foundation all proceeds help foster and fund creativity and entreprenuership in more kids like Caine.
Written By: Michelle Beresford