BEHIND-THE-SHOT: LATHE TAILSTOCK AT THE MOONEYES MACHINE SHOP

We created this timeless photograph of a vintage lathe tailstock in the historic MOONEYES Machine Shop during the filming of our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary. It helped inspire our companion “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book. This and the other mid-century metalworking machines in the shop are an incredible sight to behold—like powerful metal sculpture. They’ve become even more distinguished through their constant use and old age. We wanted to document them and preserve them for history, treating them like works of art in their own right. This is one of the many unforgettable images in our new “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary and Photography Book. See it on the big screen at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) / Tateuchi Democracy Center on Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

To attend the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary Screening at the JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center on Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/newsarchive/cruising-j-town-with-mooneyes-and-craft-of-speed

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary on DVD:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/dvd

To watch the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary with English subtitles/captions on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/craftofspeed

To watch the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary with Japanese subtitles/captions on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/craftofspeedjapanese

THE FINISH LINE: “CRAFT OF SPEED” TO BE RELEASED AT THE YOKOHAMA HOT ROD CUSTOM SHOW

Thanks to all your love and support, we’re releasing “Craft of Speed” at the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama, Japan, the largest gathering of MOONEYES fans in the world, on Sunday, 12/7/2025. This year is special because MOONEYES is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

We’re releasing our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary on DVD and streaming exclusively via Vimeo.

The DVD will offer English and Japanese subtitles/captions. We’ll have limited copies at the show.

There will be two versions of the film streaming on Vimeo—one with “burned in” English subtitles/captions and another with “burned in” Japanese subtitles/captions—both to increase accessibility. Streaming will start on the day of the show—Sunday, 12/7/2025.

We’re also releasing our companion “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book. We’ll have limited copies at the show.

For those in Los Angeles, we’ll be screening our film at the beautiful Japanese American National Museum (JANM) / Tateuchi Democracy Center in Little Tokyo on Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. We’ll have limited copies of the DVD and book at the screening.

Thank you to everyone for joining us on this incredible journey and helping us get to the finish line.

To attend the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary Screening at the JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/newsarchive/cruising-j-town-with-mooneyes-and-craft-of-speed

To watch the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary with English subtitles/captions on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/craftofspeed

To watch the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary with Japanese subtitles/captions on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/craftofspeedjapanese

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary on DVD:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/dvd

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook

“CRAFT OF SPEED”: FUELED BY GRATITUDE

As we enter the holidays, we’re filled with gratitude. We’re very thankful for everyone who’s supported “Craft of Speed,” an expansive multimedia project that encompasses a feature documentary, cinema events, a documentary photography series, a photography book, and more. Our deepest appreciation to Shige Suganuma, Chico Kodama, and the entire MOONEYES family; our crew; our fiscal sponsor, the International Documentary Association; our grantors, California Humanities CA Cares and Doc Society; our donors; our supporters; and our many community partners. Our project wouldn’t be possible without your love and support. Many thanks to you and your families during this holiday season.

These photos are from our recent CineMakina: “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary Screening, presented by Makina Drivers Club, at Hagerty Garage + Social in Van Nuys, California.

craftofspeed.com

“CRUISING J-TOWN” WITH MOONEYES AND “CRAFT OF SPEED”

We’ve had the honor of working with the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) on their groundbreaking “Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community” exhibit at the Art Center College of Design / Peter & Merle Mullin Gallery.

One of our photos of Shige Suganuma, the owner of MOONEYES, and Chico Kodama, the President of MOONEYES USA, and their record-setting land speed race cars at the historic MOONEYES headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California is in the exhibit as well as their companion book.

This year, MOONEYES, which was founded in 1950 and now has headquarters in both Santa Fe Springs, California and Yokohama, Japan and dealerships throughout the world, celebrates its 75th anniversary. This legendary company is part of the larger Japanese American story that is celebrated in the “Cruising J-Town” exhibit.

This popular exhibit has been extended until Sunday, 12/14/2025.

As part of the extensive programming of the exhibit, our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary will be screening at the beautiful JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center on Tuesday, 12/2/2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

After the film, there will be an engaging conversation with Oliver Wang, the curator of the exhibit, Chico Kodama, the President of MOONEYES USA, and Ming Lai, the director.

We’ll also have copies of our new “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book, photographed by Ming Lai and designed by Sven Igawa.

Growing up in Los Angeles near Little Tokyo, we loved cruising J-Town and enjoying Japanese American culture, especially during the festival season. Now, with your support, we can help preserve this rich history and beautiful culture.

Thank you to Oliver Wang, Sherrill Ingalls, Joy Yamaguchi, and the entire JANM team for the opportunity to work with you on this important project.

“CRAFT OF SPEED” MOONEYES DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AT JANM / TATEUCHI DEMOCRACY CENTER

JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center
Little Tokyo, California

Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Parking is behind the center or in adjacent lots.

To attend the screening:
https://www.janm.org/events/2025-12-02/screening-craft-speed-documentary-about-mooneyes

To order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY’S “AESTHETICS 2025” ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBIT!

Thank you to everyone who attended The Perfect Exposure Gallery’s “Aesthetics 2025” Annual Group Exhibit!. I’m always inspired by the incredible work of my fellow exhibiting photographers. My “University of California, San Diego (UCSD) / Geisel Library” image along with the rest of the amazing photographs in this exhibit will be on display and for sale until Sunday, 1/25/2026.

The iconic UCSD / Geisel Library is the crown jewel of the university. The celebrated architect, William Pereira, also designed the landmark Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). With its brutalist/futurist design, he sought to “convey to future generations the idea of the power and permanency of the knowledge contained inside it.” Interpreted in black-and-white, this image tries to express the architect’s powerful vision.

Thank you again to Armando Arorizo, Gia Trovela, Alejandra Lopez, and The Perfect Exposure Gallery for this wonderful opportunity to share my work.

MING LAI PHOTOGRAPH AT THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY’S “AESTHETICS 2025” ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBIT

THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY
Alhambra, California

On Display:
Saturday, 11/22/2025 - Sunday, 1/25/2026
Opening Reception:
Saturday, 11/22/2025, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Perfect Exposure Gallery
2425 W. Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91803

For exhibit information and sales inquiries:
http://www.theperfectexposuregallery.com/home/

To order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook

ANNOUNCING THE “CRAFT OF SPEED” MOONEYES DOCUMENTARY DVD

Many people have asked if we’ll be releasing our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary on physical media. So we created a DVD especially for you. Most streaming companies don’t carry independent documentaries. If they do, they offer them for only a short period of time. This is a way to own the film and put it in your own collection. Designed by Sven Igawa, the DVD features a beautiful case which houses a DVD that looks like a MOON Disc. The DVD offers English and Japanese subtitles/captions to increase accessibility.

We plan to officially release the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary DVD at the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama, Japan on Sunday, 12/7/2025. However, we’ll have limited copies at our upcoming events.

We’ll be accepting pre-orders of our DVD from now until the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. We’ll start shipping the DVDs after we return from the show. Be one of the first to receive a copy of “Craft of Speed” on DVD.

Depending on the demand, we may release our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary on Blu-ray in the future.

craftofspeed.com

A Humanist Films, LLC Production
A Ming Lai Film
Shige Suganuma, Chico Kodama, and Dean Moon, Jr.
Sound Supervisor Jeff Hutchins
Re-Recording Mixer Bruce Greenspan, CAS
Design Director Sven Igawa
Music by Sven Faulconer and Anthony Loomis
Director of Photography Ming Lai and Tuan Tran
Produced by Ming Lai and Tuan Tran
Written, Edited, and Directed by Ming Lai

Color and Black & White
Standard Definition Widescreen
2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
English
5.1 Surround Sound
English & Japanese Closed Captioning*
110 Minutes
Not Rated
DVD
NTSC Region ALL

*Please note that the captioning is in 4-bit resolution, based on DVD technology.

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary DVD:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/dvd

MING LAI PHOTOGRAPH ON DISPLAY AT THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY’S “AESTHETICS 2025” ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBIT

I’m thrilled to be a part of The Perfect Exposure Gallery’s “Aesthetics 2025” Annual Group Exhibit on Saturday, 11/22/2025. They will be displaying my black-and-white photograph of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) / Geisel Library. This image is part of a continuing series of architecture photographs.

One of my heroes, the legendary photographer and master printer Ansel Adams, famously said, “The negative is the equivalent of the composer’s score, and the print is the performance.” I’d like to acknowledge the virtuoso work of Alejandra Lopez, my printer at The Perfect Exposure Studio (TPES). I’d also like to thank Gia Trovela, who beautifully framed my print at TPES. I always appreciate the support of owner Armando Arorizo and his talented team at TPES.

In addition to this “UCSD / Geisel Library” photograph, my latest work is the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book, a companion book to my “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary. The book was designed by my longtime friend and award-winning graphic designer, Sven Igawa of Igawa Design.

MING LAI PHOTOGRAPH AT THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY’S “AESTHETICS 2025” ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBIT

THE PERFECT EXPOSURE GALLERY
Alhambra, California

On Display:
Saturday, 11/22/2025 - Sunday, 1/25/2026
Opening Reception:
Saturday, 11/22/2025, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Perfect Exposure Gallery
2425 W. Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91803

To learn more about The Perfect Exposure Gallery:
theperfectexposuregallery.com

To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook

THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE: THE “CRAFT OF SPEED” MOONEYES DOCUMENTARY TO SCREEN AT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM / TATEUCHI DEMOCRACY FORUM.

We’re very honored to screen our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary at the beautiful Japanese American National Museum (JANM) / Tateuchi Democracy Center on Tuesday, 12/2/2025. Located in historic Little Tokyo, JANM is an incredible museum about the Japanese American experience. The museum is a strong leader in our community.

Its elegant Tateuchi Democracy Center has played host to many visionary filmmakers, talented artists, and brilliant thinkers. Over the years, we’ve attended many events there and been profoundly inspired. We’re humbled to be on this same respected stage.

We hope through our cinema event at this special venue, we can help preserve not only hot rod history but also Japanese and Japanese American history as well as promote both cultures.

After the film, there will be an engaging conversation with JANM’s “Cruising J-Town” Curator Oliver Wang, President of MOONEYES USA Chico Kodama, and director Ming Lai. There will also be limited copies of the new “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book by photographer Ming Lai and graphic designer Sven Igawa available for sale.

We deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with JANM, Oliver Wang, Joy Yamaguchi, Sherril Ingalls, and its entire team.

“CRAFT OF SPEED” MOONEYES DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AT JANM / TATEUCHI DEMOCRACY CENTER

JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center
Little Tokyo, California

Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

JANM / Tateuchi Democracy Center
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Parking is behind the center or in adjacent lots.

To attend the screening:
https://www.janm.org/events/2025-12-02/screening-craft-speed-documentary-about-mooneyes

To order the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook