Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Gets On The Party Bus With Latest Video

Sometimes you can tell an iconoclast musician by the videos they make. From the King Of Pop making a mini-zombie movie for "Thriller" to Nirvana's teen spirit smelling pep rally from hell, a good artist will try to extend their creativity to the video format.

Such was the case for Calgary based folk-popper Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. He found himself at a standstill while trying to make a standard music video for his new single "Movie Life." As the Chinese use the same word for crisis and opportunity, Fitzgerald saw the chance to do something great (or at least really fun).

"We decided to not do a conventional video," he recalls of the decision to shoot a more low budget viral video. "We just went out and got a bus and my friend Brock Mitchell agreed to direct the video."

The clip gives a new meaning to the term "party bus." Fitzgerald and his friends roam the streets of Calgary, having popcorn fights, sharing laughs, and even engaging in a bit of choreographed dancing. Fitzgerald claims the good times were totally genuine.

"What you see was 100 per cent real. I was having a great time. It was a lot of fun."

At one point, the singer and his buddies all don 3D glasses, which turns out to be more than a bold fashion statement. Although the video is fun to watch sans snazzy eyewear, it does include 3D effects added in post-production.

Despite name checking Sigourney Weaver in the lyrics, Fitzgerald claims that the 3D concept was not an attempt to piggyback off Avatar's success.

"Well, we were thinking it's 'Movie Life'! I don't even think the Avatar glasses would work. I think you need the old school ones, the red and blue ones."

The night could've ended up a total wash. Everyone involved was so intent on enjoying themselves, that Fitzgerald claims they ended up not knowing if they could even turn the footage into a video.

"When we finished the night, we had no idea what we captured. We didn't even know if we'd like it or not. We took solace in the fact that the night was just a great time."

You can also have a great time with Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at Canmore, Alta.'s Communitea Cafe and at the Folk On The Rocks Festival in Yellowknife on July 16.

You can view Michael Bernard Fitzgerald's "Movie Life" below.

MOVIE LIFE from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.