Michael Jackson's Last Video: One Of The Sets Was A Cemetery

LOS ANGELES — Two weeks before he died, Michael Jackson wrapped up work on an elaborate production dubbed the "Dome Project" that could be the final finished video piece overseen by the King of Pop, The Associated Press has learned.

Details on the project are scarce. Two people with knowledge of the project confirmed its existence Monday to the AP on condition they not be identified because they signed confidentiality agreements.

They said it was a five-week project filmed at Culver Studios, which 70 years ago was the set for the classic film "Gone With the Wind." Four sets were constructed for Jackson's production, including a cemetery recalling his 1983 "Thriller" video.

Shooting for the project lasted from June 1-9, with Jackson on the set most days. Now in post-production, the project is expected to be completed next month.

Producer Robb Wagner, founder of music-video company Stimulated Inc., did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the project.

Michael Roth, a spokesman for Jackson's Los Angeles-based promoter AEG Live, said he hadn't heard about the production but did not rule that it could be part of the company's contract with the entertainer.

According to one of the people with knowledge of the project, a willow-thin, pallid Jackson left a memorable impression on the crew, arriving in a caravan of SUVs with hulking security guards in tow. The person said Jackson introduced himself to workers on the set and walked with a spring in his step but at one point needed assistance as he descended steps off a stage.

Besides the cemetery, one set was draped in black with an oversized portrait of Jackson in his "Thriller" werewolf costume. Another set was designed to simulate a lush jungle, and a fourth was built to replicate a construction site, with a screen in the back to allow projection of different backgrounds.

Taping took place in marathon sessions ending early in the morning. One scene filmed on the construction site set included scantily clad male dancers wearing carpenter's belts.

It's unclear what final form or forms the video project will take.

According to Stimulated's Web site, the company was hired to produce screen content for Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London. Stimulated has worked with Def Leppard and the Pussycat Dolls, and produced content for the Academy Awards and the Emmys.

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Associated Press writers David Germain and Ryan Nakashima contributed to this report

Comments

[xtherocksx]

AEG stands to make loads of money on the extant "This Is It" footage. I'm interested to see how long it will take for everything to get released. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F166o1QO6Y8 - Michael Jackson Tribute Video!

[imsosure]

So what it had a cemetery scene, it also had this glitter boy all frail and freaky looking dancing around like he lived in Neverland or something.

[harriettubman]

MJ is extremely thin in this picture. He's wearing two shirts to make him appear larger. MJ will go down in history, so far, as the best entertainer world wide. However, the eccentricities that made him appear weird should be lessons for families who want stardom for their children and a warning to parents of others like Lindsey Lohan.

Deepak Chopra said he & MJ's family did try an intervention so that shows they loved him dearly and tried to save him.

[Bude]

Intervention? Concerning what?

[imsosure]

If he hadn't made a ton of dough no one would even care, not even you sugar pants.

[sexyrexy]

if he didn't have a lot of dough --as you sweetly said..

then he won't be accused, crucified.­.. & be seen as a walking ATM..as his own lawyers have said.

[darker]

M Jackson's "death theme" was in numerous films and videos.
His dad was a VIPER and money-grubbing opportunist whom Michael left out of his last will.
He robbed Michael of any possibility of a childhood or development
to any normal adulthood.

[AngelFace43]

Yikes...th­at pic of him looks like a grinning skull. I'll never understand how so many entertaine­rs/celebri­ties can go from having it all to these horrible, sad endings.

[mcthfg]

Um... so did Thriller.

And it took him another 25-30 years to die.

[Cherubim]

I stand on my Constitutional First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech to say:


"I , Cherubim, believe employees of the Sony Corporation are responsible for the untimely death

of Michael Jackson."

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/constitution.html

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.


AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Amendment I (1791)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_in_the_United_States

[Bude]

Coo-coo.

[mlaiuppa]

I have this feeling that this video is going to be very bizarre. Not a posthumous jewel but rather a sad denoument.

[sense11]

Why is this story trying to make something out of nothing. They were making concert visuals, its not really a video.

[sexyrexy]

NEWSBREAK: got this from CNN last night.. LAPD is gearing up for the biggest funeral ever.. predicted to be bigger than Elvis or even Princess Diana.. LAPD just waiting for the word from the Family.. when.. said. they are expecting Millions to descend in LA for last Farewell to Michael.

Meanwhile, he's been/being honoured in Paris ,Beijing, even Moscow etc.. as People mourn & celebrate his life..( yap.. saw clips of these)

not bad..

[YewNeekId]

Enough with this drivel already. Leave it for the tabloids. There are important things happening in the real world.

[bigsexyshaq]

Michael Jackson was and is in a league of his own. The media will be covering his death for years, and guess what, his death will become a symbolic moment for many many people just like Lennon and Elvis. Oh wait, he's black so his death isn't as important.

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

you had a good post going until you went and got tacky at the end of it..

[CrustAlmighty]

He's perceived my many as a pervert and a pedophile.

He's perceived by very few as a person of color.

[sexyrexy]

great. why don't you go to the ruthie madoff thread then??!!

[KennyFox]

These AEG guys are bloodsuckers are nt they? Watch out for these gusy. We havent heard the last of them when it comes to the MJ asset battle about to begin.

[Bude]

What assets?

[AnthonyVolpe]

iTunes' top five albums are all MJ's. He's making more money dead than he did when he was alive the past few years.

[bazooka]

Assets valued at $700 million, including sole ownership of his own catalogue as well as a 50% share of the Beattles catalogue. It's estimated that there'll be $200 million left after debts have been settled.

[bigsexyshaq]

In the world of material wealth, making money is pretty important. Everything about MJ makes money. You would have to be pretty numb or not paying attention to not realize that.

[MurrayAbraham]

"One of the Sets was a cemetery"
And some scenes of the Thriller clip also happen to by in a cemetery. Tough luck for the omen.

[PaleMail]

Oy. Jackson always wore fantastic performance outfits, this purple smock is hideous.

[LoRiseAntlers]

This has to be the most important Michael Jackson death trivia in at least the last two hours or so!