Red Car’s LoDolce edits R. Kelly’s new music video

Red Car’s Tim LoDolce reprised his editorial skills in R. Kelly’s plea to his lost love to return to his heart, in Radio Message, a music video that just bowed on MTV and Vevo – and in which Red Car executive producer Jon Desir unexpectedly made his video debut.

LoDolce, who last year cut Kelly’s music video When a Woman Loves, edited the 4.5-minute Radio Message, the new single from Kelly’s Love Letter album.

L.A.-based production company Collaboration Factory produced the new video.  The Factory’s Jeremy Rall (who has directed T-Pain and Kelly Rowland) directed the video last month in Kelly’s new West Loop recording studio.  Previously, Kelly recorded music and videos in the studio in his far suburban Homewood residence.

Red Car’s Jon Desir voices the DJ on the video

Red Car’s Chris Elliott finished the video and Tyler Roth of Filmworkers Club did the color correction, in a matter of four days.  

Desir got into the act unexpectedly.  During the recording of the set-up for the song, a radio station DJ takes a call from Kelly, who hopes that his lover will hear his emotional message begging her to forgive him and come back.

“The kicker was,” says Desir, in a blend of “who me?” surprise and pride, “that at the very last minute they didn’t like the voice of the actor hired for the DJ and pulled me in.  I used the name of ‘Blazini,’ which was a radio DJ name I used in my college days.”

Red Car New York hires its first-time ever director

After remaining resolutely true to the art of creative editorial for all of its 17 years in business, Red Car New York expanded its services with its first-ever director – the quite famous mixed-media animation director, Crankbunny.

Formally known as Norma Toraya, Crankbunny had been Curious Pictures’ animation director for 8 years.  She will be available to work with Red Car’s Chicago clients, says Desir.

Red Car founder/Larry Bridges notes that while the company has provided motion graphics and animation for several years, “Now we’re actively concentrating on strategic and creative development in this area.

Red Car Chicago especially has seen its animation services grow since the arrival of graphic designer Kevin O’Rourke from Detroit 18 months ago. “Among Kevin’s specialties are 2D design and animation,” says Desir.

Crankbunny reunites with Red Car’s managing director Mary Knox, who joined Red Car in March after six years as Curious Pictures executive producer/managing director of commercials.

Crankbunny’s work is typified by a layering of traditional techniques, including hand-drawn animation, painting, pixilation and live-action compositing.  She animated new commercials for Abilify/Digitas, New York, that began airing in late May.