Working for the Weekend

It seems like lately I've been working all of the time.

Probably because, I have been working all the time. The past two weekends have been non-stop shooting and traveling with Rice Boy TV. To give you a better idea of what I've been up to, here are some photos I snapped between rolling the video camera.


3rd & Grand, 9am Saturday September 6, 2008. Disney Concert Hall in the background. I dig the tiered roadways and dividing drop that becomes a sky-light for the roadway below.


LAPD's off-duty finest guards Vaughn Gittin Jr's Ford Mustang in the turning lane of Grand Avenue. Why is a drift car in downtown LA? Well because Bosch Spark Plugs is shooting an advertisement featuring JR's Mustang decorating the intersection with Falken tire rubber. Who says driving isn't art?


Vaughn's car between takes. In the foreground is a crane getting the overhead shot of the intersection- which is transformed into a cement canvas. Cool idea for an advertisement. Personally, I really enjoy the combination of art and precision driving. This combination is something that I strive for in my work. Trying to find the elements in motor sports that are often overlooked or overpowered by speed. The spiraling tire smoke, flickering exhaust flames, dancing tire debris, and the synthesis of driver & car. Stay tuned for more on Vaughn Gittin JR's Bosch advertisement and Rice Boy TV's coverage of the shoot.

Sunday checked out Subie Fest @ Willow Springs International Raceway. Good turn out and tons of on track action with Subaru putting fans into STi's and WRX's to test drive Big Willow track. Sweet. Also some time attack action in the heat. Also check for the coverage on Rice Boy TV in the coming weeks.


Friday (September 12th) rolled up to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Thanks to Moe @ Mitsubishi Motors we drove up in a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. It was very cool to drive the Lancer Ralliart for a few days on highways, country roads, and around LA- it gives you the opportunity to further evaluate the Ralliart. Ricky, Justin, and I even had the chance to drag race the Ralliart at Irwindale Speedway's 1/8th mile drag strip. Check back soon for an update- because you will not want to miss my first drag racing experience- captured on video.


Rik and I shoot a time lapse en route to Sonoma in the Ralliart.

Seattle at 120 MPH

The tachometer hit red line, up shift, the speedometer rushes past 120. The sweeping left hand turn was approaching fast. Down shift. Down shift. Fourth gear. Hold it and hit the apex then accelerate out.

Saying that the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR is fast, is an understatement. Its like a four door, four wheel drive jet.











Riceboytv was fortunate to be invited to the Mitsubishi Lancer Family day in Seattle, Washington and I was excited to meet my date with EVO destiny. In May I was close to buying an EVO- without having ever driven one. The EVO's reputation as a twisted turbo charged sedan precedes it. Driving it on Pacific motor speedway confirms- the EVO is a werewolf in sheep's costume. The only clues to the car's underbelly are the rear fiberglass/carbon!? spoiler and the vented aluminum hood. Minor body pieces and larger wheels are common after market parts these days. The EVO's heart and soul is its turbocharged 2.0 liter engine coupled to a 5 speed (GSR model) or 6 speed twin clutch paddle shift configuration.










These few photos are from my point and shoot, Panasonic LX-2, which shoots 16x9 native and has some great manual controls- including the ability to shoot RAW images.

The event was incredible. With an auto cross, track, and street drive sections to showcase the new Lancer Ralliart, Lancer Evolution GSR, Lancer Evolution MR, and compare all to the base Lancer GSR.

Check back for test drive videos and full video coverage on Rice Boy TV

Lakes, Dirtbikes, Biplanes - Indiana.

The horizon disappeared and the field below rushed towards the plane ferociously. I was in a hammerhead. One quick kick of the rudder and the nose dove from nearly vertical climb to vertical drop. My stomach tightened and all of my senses screamed silently. The biplane pulled up and I glanced over my shoulder at the pilot, my good friend Nate Adams, words wouldn't help over the roar of the engine- so I pounded my fist into the air and tried to ease the smile from my face.

Indiana. Hoosiers.
The Midwest.
Lake Michigan.
Meth Amphetamine.

I took a vacation day and visited my friends Chris and Nate Adams in Knox, Indiana. For a Labor day weekend of wake surfing, wake boarding, boating, skateboarding, airplane flying, motorcycle riding, family cookouts, and the 3 am longboard cruise.












It was awesome. Chris was able to assemble the crew he rides with: Blake Bailey, Nick Williams, and his brother Nate to come out and surf a man made lake thousands of miles from the nearest ocean. Wake surfing is similar to wakeboarding or water skiing in that the boat is used to launch the rider out of the water. The similarities end there though. Wake Surfing is close to the back deck of the boat where the wake is the biggest. Professional Ski boats have ballast tanks to increase the wave and trim adjustments to get the rear end to sink in and churn out a massive wake. The real challenge of wake surfing is to go "ropeless" and drop the tow rope and pump off of the boat's wake. By adjusting the nose height, board trim, and one's body weight (Similar to balancing on an INDO board) a rider can literally surf on a boat's wake.

Wake surf boards are usually smaller in length and use traction pads covering a majority of their top side instead of wax. This makes for a very durable board that preforms similarly to a full sized surfboard while still providing long lasting grip and float for the sans salt environment.

We all filmed individual sections for the epic
"MIDWEST SURFERS III - UNDER SIEGE"

Stay tuned for the video in the next few weeks. Thanks again to the Adams family for their hospitality! I had a blast and you guys are the nicest people imaginable.

Code Named: Cherry Sundae

Code Name: Cherry Sundae HD from Will Roegge on Vimeo.
Was out at Willow Springs International Raceway shooting some testing for Formula D Seattle - Round Five. Let's call this project, Cherry Sundae. Hope you dig it.

Ziptied All Star Bash 4

Ziptied All Star Bash 4 HD from Will Roegge on Vimeo.

June 28 & 29, 2008 was Just Drift's "Ziptied All Star Bash 4" at Willow Springs International Raceway (WSIR). I was able to make it up on Sunday the 29th and shoot this small video highlighting some of the tandem runs and spins outs from the open sessions during the day. Wish I would have shot more, but I ended up taking a nap in the back of Pat's Suburban after getting sunburnt. 

Formula D New jersey 2008 Video

Formula Drift Round Three Englishtown Raceway 2008 from Will Roegge on Vimeo.

Check out the rest of riceboytv's coverage. Shot & edited by Will Roegge for Rice Boy TV. Hosted and voice-over by Ricky "RikDaddy" Chu.
Thanks to Tanner Foust, Tyler McQuarrie, Brian Fox, and Formula Drift for their cooperation.
See you drift fans in Las Vegas in July.


Used Car Buying - Nissan 240sx Inspection from Will Roegge on Vimeo.
Here is my 240sx under inspection by Aaron Cassan of the Import Car Doctor.

Long Beach Grand Prix 2008

April 18-20th is the Long Beach Grand Prix. I am covering the event with the crew @ Rice Boy tv
The photos posted above are from my Canon Digital Rebel and were shot with one hand- I kid, I kid. But seriously the other hand was operating an HD video camera and recording all of the Champ Car, American Le Mans, Formula D, Super Lap Battle, and the Toyota Celebrity Race Action.

If you haven't visited Rice Boy tv- check it out. Its crazy, Nads and Rik Daddy are characters, and the cars we cover are incredible, hot models, and rock solid performance upgrades for your car, and more.

Joshua Tree

D*Rock, BuckNasty, and I went on an overnight backpacking excursion to Joshua Tree National Park. The results are some solid snaps, flashlight writing, free climbing, and more white people then starbucks at 7:30 on a Monday.

In record time I've processed my RAW selects and posted them on my website. I think you will be able to appreciate the stunning geology as much as we did- minus all of the sand we got in our shoes.

link

El Porto

This past weekend I relocated to El Porto aka North Manhattan Beach. It has been an adventure already. My commute went from 3 miles round trip to 25+ miles. Which on a fixed gear bicycle takes me a little less then an hour each way.

The exercise is great but the surf @ El Porto is even better.

Paris, France

Just putting the finishing touches on the Paris, France photo gallery.
here

February willroegge.com update

My website, www.willroegge.com has been updated with photography galleries from my recent trips. The first update being the gallery for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The second update being my February trip to London, England. It also has a few sneak pics from a photo series I am developing called J.O.B. or Jumping On Beds around the world. Give me a few more trips and I will post the entire series. www.willroegge.com is also the home of some of my motion graphic, cinematography, and editing.

London, UK

London is a phenomenal world-class city. The history of the romans and the early settlements by the Thames river are well preserved. They provide strong contrast to the modern architecture in the business district. England isn't well known for their cuisine, but I was surprised by their curries. The house ales are second to none. Its great when the domestics are better than the imports- for once. Riding on the Underground is a convenient way to get around the city on the cheap. The other trains give you the opportunity to commute from the suburbs to downtown without spending all of your pub money. Check back soon for a more in-depth write up and photos.

Photography

This is an unaltered image. Its visually impressive and very simple to do. All you need:

1. digital camera and tripod
   
2. large computer monitor or television (37' or greater)
3. a computer running itunes or similar program with music 'visualization'
4. a small light

Position your subject in the middle of the screen. Start the music visualization software. Focus the small light on your subject's face. Expose for the screen (long exposure for more interesting looking background movement) The randomization of the background colors, patterns, and speed will make each image unique. SNAP. PROCESS. ENJOY.