KC Streetcar Expansion - “Stay In Your Lane”
- BJ Sampson
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Uniting Culture, Motion, and a City in Progress
When Kansas City unveiled the Main Street Extension, it wasn’t just about expanding a transit line—it was about connecting the city in a new way.
A new route.New energy.A new chapter for Kansas City.
To match that moment, the KC Streetcar team didn’t want a standard campaign.
They wanted something that felt like the city itself.
The Opportunity
The expansion connected downtown to UMKC, introducing new stops that reshaped how people move through Kansas City.
But the real challenge wasn’t awareness.
It was relevance.
How do you make infrastructure feel cultural?How do you turn a transit system into something people are excited about?
The Idea: A Soundtrack for the City
To answer that, the KC Streetcar partnered with Kansas City artist Kemet Coleman—who led the project as producer, songwriter, and music producer.
He created “Stay In Your Lane” as the official anthem for the expansion.
This wasn’t just a video concept.
Everything started with the music—and built outward from there.
Pre-Production: Learning the Line
Before a single frame was shot, we spent three full days riding and driving the entire streetcar extension.
Not scouting. Not rushing.
Studying it.
We paid attention to:
How the light hit different stops throughout the day
Where natural movement already existed
How people interacted with the streetcar and surrounding areas
Which locations actually felt like Kansas City
At the same time, we were building out detailed shot lists, mapping moments to specific parts of the track.
This process shaped everything.
Instead of forcing ideas onto the project,we let the environment influence the creative.
Rooted in Kansas City
From there, we built the concept using real elements of the city:
Recognizable landmarks
Community personalities
Local icons and mascots
Appearances included:
Teal Man
Roo (UMKC mascot)
The Royal Chief
A special cameo from Kemet’s daughter
Each one added a layer of familiarity and connection.
This wasn’t just filmed in Kansas City.It was built with it.
Pushing the Creative: 3D + Character Moments
To elevate the visual storytelling, we developed a custom 3D streetcar sequence in Blender.
This allowed us to:
Stylize the streetcar beyond real-world limitations
Add a more dynamic, high-energy visual layer
Blend realism with creative expression
We also introduced KemZilla, adding a bold, unexpected moment that brought personality and scale to the piece.
These elements helped push the project beyond a traditional campaign.
Designed Around Motion
At its core, the streetcar represents one thing:
Movement.
We translated that visually through:
Whip pans
Continuous camera motion
Fast, rhythmic transitions
The goal was to make the viewer feel like they were moving through the city—not just watching it.
Amplifying the Message
The phrase “Stay In Your Lane” became both the theme and the visual anchor.
We reinforced it using:
A fisheye lens for distortion and intensity
A magnifying glass effect to amplify the delivery of the message
Every detail supported the same idea:focus, direction, and forward motion.
Choreography + Energy
Working with choreographer Zamar, we added structured movement that aligned with both the music and the pacing of the visuals.
The choreography became part of the storytelling—reinforcing flow and momentum throughout the piece.
When the Plan Changes
Originally, we planned to have Kemet perform the final verse on top of the streetcar.
But due to overhead electrical wires, it wasn’t possible.
So we adapted. And that led to a better outcome.
Ending Where It Matters
We brought the final moment to the Plaza stop near UMKC—a key destination in the new expansion.
It wasn’t just a location.
It represented:
Progress
Connection
The future of the line
The story doesn’t just move.
It arrives.
More Than a Video — A City Moment
“Stay In Your Lane” premiered during the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension Grand Opening, becoming part of a city-wide celebration.
It wasn’t just content.
It was part of the experience.
The Result
A campaign that:
Turned a transit expansion into a cultural moment
Blended music, motion, and community
Captured the energy and identity of Kansas City
Start Your Project
If you’re ready to create something that goes beyond content—something that actually connects—
Let’s build it.
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