Michael Jackson revolutionized the music video genre with his groundbreaking and innovative approach. His music videos were not just promotional tools for his songs, but they were also cinematic experiences that told stories and showcased his incredible talent as a dancer.
In 1983, Jackson released the music video for "Thriller," directed by John Landis, which became a cultural phenomenon and is widely regarded as one of the greatest music videos ever made. The video featured groundbreaking visual effects, intricate choreography, and a narrative storyline, setting a new standard for music videos.
In the following years, Jackson continued to push the boundaries of music videos with videos for songs such as "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Smooth Criminal." These videos featured Jackson's signature dance moves, elaborate set designs, and cinematic storytelling.
Jackson also used his music videos as a platform to address important social and political issues, such as racial inequality in "Black or White" and environmental issues in "Earth Song."
Throughout his career, Jackson released over 50 music videos, many of which have become cultural touchstones and have inspired countless artists in the music industry. His music videos continue to captivate and inspire audiences today and are a testament to his incredible talent and influence on popular culture.
Take an exclusive look behind the scenes of Michael Jackson's groundbreaking music videos featuring interviews with the creative minds who brought them to life. Hear from directors, choreographers, makeup artists, and more as they share their experiences and insights on working with the King of Pop. Discover the inspiration behind the iconic dance moves and elaborate set designs that defined Jackson's music videos and learn about the technical innovations that paved the way for their success.
Featuring exclusive interviews with the following:
Peter Conn - Co-Director and Producer of Blame It On The Boogie
John Sharaf - Cinematographer on Blame It On The Boogie and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Mitchell Brisker - Creative Director on Can You Feel It "The Triumph"
Cliff Boule - Key Frame Animation on Can You Feel It "The Triumph"
Bruce Manning - Graphics Cameraman on Can You Feel It "The Triumph"
Kent Marshall - Photomatic Cameraman on Can You Feel It "The Triumph"
John Grower - Technical Director Can You Feel It "The Triumph"
Paul Flattery - Producer of Rock With You, She's Out Of My Life, Billie Jean and Liberian Girl
Daniel Pearl - Director of Photography on Billie Jean, Give In To Me and You Are Not Alone
Kim Colefax - Art Design on Billie Jean
Bruce Hill - Art Design on Billie Jean
Robert Rosenbaum - Art Design on Billie Jean
Virginia Johnstone - Set Decorator on Billie Jean
Mick Mashbir - Head of Props on Billie Jean
Larry Bridges - Editor on Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel and Dirty Diana
Jim Corbett - Re-recording mixer on Beat It
David Weishaar - Re-recording mixer on Beat It
Stuart Raven Barter - Location Scout and Art Director on Beat It
John Marias - Second Assistant Director on Beat It and First Assistant Director on Badder ("Moonwalker")
Cheryl Song - Actor in Beat It
Michael Scaglione - Extra in Beat It
Geron "Caszper" Canidate - Dancer in Beat It, Dancer and co-choreographer on Bad and dancer in Smooth Criminal
Popin Pete - Dancer in Beat It, Captain Eo and Ghosts
Michael DeLorenzo - Dancer in Beat It
Otis Sallid - Dancer in Beat It
Bill Goodson - Dancer in Beat It
Bradley Lusa - Dancer in Beat It
Vincent Paterson - Dancer in Beat It and Thriller, choreographer for Dirty Diana, Speed Demon, Smooth Criminal, Black or White and Blood on the Dancefloor
Lorraine Fields - Dancer in Thriller and Smooth Criminal
Kim Blank - Dancer in Thriller, Smooth Criminal, co-choreographer on Blood on the Dancefloor
Martha Pinson - Script Supervisor on Bad
Robert Topol - Scenic Artist on Bad
Adrienne Lobel - Production Designer on Bad
Tony Jannelli - Cameraman on Bad
Joel Segal - First Assistant Director on Bad
Rory Walsh - Assistant Gaffer on Bad
Deborah Prate Panuccio - Set Dresser on Bad
Bill Reynolds - Property Master on Bad
Tom Fleischman - Re-recording mixer on Bad
Christopher Tellesfen - Assistant Editor on Bad
Kristine Schueler - Title Credits on Bad
Sean Cheesman - Dancer in Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel and choreographer on Scream
Daryl Richardson - Assistant Choreographer on Bad
Abe Clark - Dancer in Bad
Steve Glavin - Dancer in Bad
Rick Negron - Dancer in Bad
Kenneth Still - Dancer in Bad
Scott Austin - Dancer in Bad
Roger G - Dancer in Bad
Troy Myers - Dancer in Bad
Bryant Baldwin - Dancer in Bad
Paul Nunes - Dancer in Bad
Gregory Holtz - Actor in Bad
Brent Clark - Second Assistant Director on The Way You Make Me Feel
Roy Fegan - Actor in The Way You Make Me Feel
Cathi Carlton - Production Management on The Way You Make Me Feel and Dirty Diana
John Grant - Personal Assistant on The Way You Make Me Feel and Pepsi The Chase Commercial
Donna Barrish - Costume Supervisor on The Way You Make Me Feel
Don Wilson - Director of Man in the Mirror
Patrick Melly - Gaffer on Liberian Girl
Gregory Alpert - VTR Operator on Liberian Girl
Judy Swartz - Costumer on Liberian Girl
Bryan Jones - Production Designer on Moonwalker (Speed Demon and Come Together), and Black or White
Steve Shroyer - Art Director on Moonwalker (Speed Demon and Come Together)
Toby Phillips - Cinematographer on Liberian Girl, Assistant Cameraman on You Are Not Alone
Philip Rose - Producer on 2300 Jackson Street, Jam and Give In To Me
Barbara Meier - CGI Artist on Black or White, Remember the Time, Jam and Ghosts
David Sosna - First Assistant Director on Thriller and Black or White
Frank Kostenko Jr - Production Assistant on Thriller, Second Assistant Director on Black or White and First Assistant Director on Remember the Time
Dave Hull - Matte artist on Black or White
Mitchell Stone - Hairstylist on Black or White and Remember the Time
Jon Salzman - Electrician and Lighting Technician on Black or White
David Maier - Studio stand in on Black or White
Veena Bidasha - Actor in Black or White
Gary Ushino - Cameraman on Black or White
Kevin Emmons - Cameraman on Black or White
Sandi Sissel - Cameraman on Black or White
Troy Burgess - Dancer in Black or White, Ghosts and Blood on the Dancefloor
Lon Bender - Sound Engineer on Black or White
Richard Joffray - Art Department and Props on Black or White, Billie Jean, Thriller, Moonwalker and Dangerous Teaser Commercials
Rolf Kestermann - Director of Photography on In The Closet and Black or White
Jeff Morrell -Second Assistant Director on In The Closet
Chris Strong - Gaffer on Who Is It
Daniel Beer - Actor in Who Is It
John Jopson - Hand Held Cameraman on Give In To Me
Dixie Schmiedle - Assistant Cameraman on Give In To Me
Rob Pearson - Production Designer on Jam
Charles Mueller - Production Assistant on Jam
Greg Lundsgaard - Steadicam Operator on Jam
Jackie Lam - Extra in Heal the World
Chris Staves - Visual Effects Artist on Scream and Cry
Richard Berg - Production Designer on Scream
Martin Mervel - Production Designer on Scream
Brian Drucker - Production Artist on Scream
Kevin Tog Haug - Visual Effects Supervisor on Scream
Michael Manson - Props on Scream
David Bradshaw - Stylist on Scream
Thom Fennessey - Production Manager on Earth Song
John Hutchinson - Location Scout on Earth Song
Mitchell Brozinsky - Location Scout of Earth Song
Ron Crabb - Visual Effects Artist on Earth Song
Patrick Sheffield - Editor on Earth Song
BJ Boutler - Line Producer and Art Director on Earth Song
Milena Barros - Actress of Earth Song
Marcos Macambyra - Key Grip on Earth Song and They Don't Care About Us
Marcus Menescal - Assistant Camera / Production Assistant on Earth Song and They Don't Care About Us
Bill Fogtman - Project Supervisor on The Don't Care About Us
Leander Sales - Assistant Editor on They Don't Care About Us
Randi Wilens - Executive Producer on You Are Not Alone
Jeff Richter - Editor on You Are Not Alone and Whatzupwithu
Katie Dunn Kennedy - Casting Director on You Are Not Alone and Childhood
Rob Newman - Producer on Childhood
Casey Storm - Costume Designer on Stranger in Moscow
Sean Cory Cooper - Actor in Stranger in Moscow
Philip Watt - Actor in Stranger in Moscow
Eric Zimmerman - Focus Technician on Stranger in Moscow
Kristian Kachikis - Gaffer on Stranger in Moscow
Joseph Yacoe - Director of Photography on Stranger in Moscow
George C Ortiz Jr - Dancer in Blood on the Dancefloor
Donielle Artese - Dancer in Blood on the Dancefloor
Jonathan Del Gatto - Editor on Blood on the Dancefloor, Cry and One More Chance
Jonathan Burkhart - Cameraman on Blood on the Dancefloor
Harvey White - Editor on You Rock My World
Rubin Mendoza - Producer on You Rock My World
Leo Coltrane - Production Assistant on You Rock My World
George Valdez - Actor in You Rock My World
David Basila - Actor in You Rock My World
Jonathan Miller - Sound Designer on You Rock My World
Nicholas Pike - Composer on Ghosts and You Rock My World
Ken Yesh - Extra in One More Chance
Stephen McClelland - Extra in One More Chance
Kissy Denise - Extra in One More Chance
Tammey Manderville - Extra in One More Chance;
Edge Knight - Extra in One More Chance; and
Karen Faye - Michael's personal makeup artist