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

[loveobamas]

WTH??
Wow HP you guys really on the ball (s.m.h.)

[StillAmused]

In other stunning news, Jackson -- himself -- appears in the video.

Oooooooh..­.

[rsprags]

Thanks MJ for the legacy; R.I.P MJ!

[rigveda]

Enough with the Michael Jackson coverage, already...­sheesh!!!

[Nishaboston]

If you had enough of it then why click on the article in the first place?

[joceeco]

Only a dummy would allow himself to get tired of something that he is not forced to endure!

[bigsexyshaq]

Yup, exactly.

[Bluejay00234]

As always people keeping forgetting that you had to click the link to get here.

[Epiphany2b]

What they said, with the added comment . . . when one expresses annoyance with some news story they don't want to read, it comes off as censorship. It's like saying to the rest of us that you don't think it should be here even for those who are interested in the subject to read. That's pretty annoying.

[ZimboChick]

And so???

[sportscomplainer]

What did you watch:
The NBA Draft or Michael Jackson?

by Zak Kertesz,
The Sports Complainer

written on 06/25/09

----Like music to my ears: With the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft…

Love it. Feel it. The sensation that indicates a new wave of youth and talent and optimism is entering the league.

But I couldn’t feel it. And I didn’t love it. What I felt, was the same thing I heard.

The King (LeBron, please sit down).

Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. Not just an iconic figure. The iconic figure. As big as Elvis and The Beatles. Surreally, tonight, The
King has passed.

We will always remember Michael for the good and only the good. And if you feel otherwise, stop reading my article. For this piece, along with the billions of other dedications across the globe, is in memory of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Sports. Okay. Let’s get to it, huh? But first, in your head, replay your favorite Michael Jackson song. And while you’re at it, stand up, and moonwalk. C’mon. Just do it, no one’s watching.

for full article, go to:

http://www.sportscomplainer.com

Zak Kertesz, The Sports Complainer

[joceeco]

Nice!

[BillMelater]

This will be very interesting to see. And will probably be MJ's top money maker ever.

[bigsexyshaq]

Remember the posthumous Beatles' "Free as a Bird"? It may have been a good song, but when people think about the Beatles, it may be the last thing that comes to people's mind. By the looks of it, this is going to be closer to what happened with the band Sublime. They became super famous after their frontman died and had a string of hits that continue to be played today. "Dome Project" could be something very significant.

[BlackYowe]

My Mother reminded me of something the other day. My Aunt died of Anorexia but it was before it was a well known as a condition. She died while swimming but did not drown and the doctors had a terrible time figuring out what killed her. My uncle got accused of murdering her because the autopsy was not conclusive. It seems her heart just stopped and she began drifting out to sea. Perhaps Michael was actually starving himself to death and the drugs only played a minor part in his demise. This is getting as spooky as the movie the Crow and death of Brandon Lee.

[ahoyhoy]

That's what I was thinking--his heart was probably weak anyway from years of anorexia. He has been MUCH skinnier than his family genetics would seem to indicate. He was scrawny when he did "Off the Wall," but still somewhat healthy. But he has just gotten progressively thinner for the last 30 years. He supposedly weighed 112 pounds at autopsy!
His heart probably wouldn't require much stress to give out. Also maybe the reason he had a cardiologist as his personal doctor.

[seachild]

yeah, a cardiologist who wasn't certified.­..


what a tragic, tragic story

[Bude]

I think it meant that he was working on a video.

[sean6886]

Are you trying to say that he predictied his own death? This means nothing.

[KennyFox]

Keep in mind that the AP, America's Newswire, is a derliction of duty news org bar none. They sucked during the lead up to the war in Iraq and they had the assets to do some good reporting. They flunked. AP sucks.

[happycat]

So what?????

[beekeeper]

So?

[Chicago48]

Somebody shut Joe Jackson up and get him away from cameras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6qqtmoEo9k&feature=player_embedded

[redsongia]

Ewwww!!! Why did you post this?

[Bude]

Better yet, why did you read it?

[redsongia]

It's typical and very sad that kids who are badly abused never learn how to trust, and therefore wind up unable to form bonds with new people and break away from the people who abused them in the first place. It seems like Michael lived this way for a long long time.

So sad.

[randyleearnold]

So happy to read this - what a gift to us from MJ . . . his music, his legacy is eternal.

[Bude]

What gift?

[sexyrexy]

just love the way you're so p***ed with our eulogies.. why are you wasting your time here??

when you have nothing bright nor relevant to contribute­..

go watch telly.. or read some high fallutin' book..

[shanester]

The more I hear about his poor health the more I wonder how he was going to perform in those 50 concerts.

As morbid as this may sound I thik it's better he passed away in private instead of on stage for the whole world to see