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Morgan Park Academy Serves As Backdrop for Musician Andrew Bird's PSA

By Howard Ludwig | August 26, 2016 3:44pm | Updated on August 29, 2016 8:29am
Morgan Park Academy PSA
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DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig

MORGAN PARK — Morgan Park Academy served as a backdrop Friday morning for the filming of a public service announcement.

The PSA filmed in part at 2153 W. 111th St. is a joint project between Chicago musician Andrew Bird and the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, according to workers on set.

"It's really a day in the life of an American kid. But really a Chicago kid, and what it is like to live here," the director said between takes.

The PSA seemingly uses Bird's Chicago-inspired song, "Pulaski at Night." In an interview with Salon.com, Bird spoke specifically about the upcoming video shoot.

The song is "not written specifically about gun violence, but, as is the case with a lot of my songs, could be taken in many different ways. We’re hoping that some of the imagery — it’s gonna be shot in Chicago — and we’re working on some concepts that will hopefully draw attention to the issue," Bird told the publication.

Shane Simmons is the producer of the project, working with the Chicago office of 71 Degrees North. He would not speak about the overall scope of the video but confirmed Everytown for Gun Safety was involved.

Everytown for Gun Safety describes itself as "a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities." The group aims to build momentum behind changes to gun laws often thwarted by the gun lobby, according to the group's website.

Simmons gave a nod to Morgan Park Academy, saying he was looking for the perfect backdrop for a school and stumbled upon the Southwest Side campus via an Internet search.

"They were extremely accommodating from the get-go," he said.

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