Michael Jackson's Ghosts is a 1996 short film directed by Stan Winston and co-written by Michael Jackson, horror novelist Stephen King, and screenwriter Mick Garris. The film features Michael Jackson as five different characters, including a spooky Maestro and a dancing skeleton.
The plot of the film revolves around a group of narrow-minded townspeople who are afraid of the Maestro, a supernatural character who lives in a haunted mansion on the outskirts of town. When the town's mayor tries to evict the Maestro, he responds by giving the townspeople a frightening tour of his mansion, which includes a number of illusions and special effects.
The film is notable for its impressive visual effects and makeup, which were created by Stan Winston Studio. It was also a critical and commercial success, winning several awards and nominations, and is considered a cult classic among Michael Jackson fans.
Nick is currently in the process of speaking with those who were involved in the creation of Ghosts, with a view to crafting an in-depth oral history into the making of Michael Jackson's 'Ghosts'.
Members of the cast and crew who have been interviewed so far include:
Douglas Mowat
Set Designer
Syd Dutton
Matte Painter
Thomas Surprenant
Makeup Artist
J Todd Anderson
Storyboard Artist
Scott G G Haller
Sound Editor
Dave Jobe
Foley Mixer
Mark Lanza
Sound Effects Editor
Lance Gilmer
Special Makeup Effects Artist
Jon Neill
Sculptor
Michael Karp
Motion Control
Luc Nicknair
Motion Control
David George
Video Assist Operator
Pat Dade
Actor
Stanley Dyrector
Extra
Troy Burgess
Dancer
Timothy "Popin Pete" Solomon
Dancer
Christopher Duddy
Camera Operator
Jonathan Miller
Sound Designer
Nicholas Pike
Composer
Paul Meijas
Key Artist and Puppeteer
Terry Wolfinger
Concept Artist and Storyboard Artist
Todd Isroelit
Visual effects line producer: Digital Domain
David Covarrubias
Special Effects Technician
Barry Koper
Makeup Artist
Nick Marra
Makeup Artist
Also featuring exclusive interviews with the cast and crew of Is This Scary?, the unfinished 1993 project that was the precursor to Ghosts:
Mick Garris
Director and Writer
David Sosna
First Assistant Director
Carl Goldstein
Second Assistant Director
Christopher Hart
Actor
Jimmy Hamilton
Dancer
Dameon Harris
Dancer
Ingrid M Ellis
Dancer
Jeff Okun
Special Effects Artist
Barbara Meier
CGI Artist