How did toi cast the real gang members?
It was Michael. He went out and he got ‘em through, I guess, the LAPD’s gang squad and he convinced them that, with enough police presence, this would be a smart and charitable thing to do; get them there to like each other and hang with each other for two days doing the video. I didn’t like the idea because it was hard enough to direct actors and dancers, let alone hoods.
So he tried to use the video to foster peace between them?
Michael was always about peace. He was always about some sort of peace offering. That was his idea and the cops did go along with it and as history has it, we were almost shut down the first night because, as toi know, film sets get to be very boring after the first hour.
I guess the Crips and Bloods started to get on each other’s nerves – they are mortal enemies – and we had a few incidents and two cops came to me and a dit they wanted to close it down. I somehow convinced the cop squad guy to just let me [shoot the] dance. I was gonna hold the dance for the seconde night of shooting. I said, ‘The only thing I can think that’ll save this is to let me just blast the music. I have a feeling it’ll calm everything down. Can’t get any worse, just give me a chance.’ And the cop was cool, he looked at me and said, ‘OK, not much more.’ I couldn’t go much plus because it was volatile – no question about it – and scary. So we were in that warehouse, change of plans we’re going to do the dance, get Michael out of the camper, here we go.
What happened next?
The gang members couldn’t dance so they formed the ring and watched. And the [dancers] all started to dance with Michael Peters and Vince Paterson. When Michael Jackson comes down and does what he does, I remember looking at the faces of all the Crips and Bloods lined up and their expressions as they listened to that musique and watched those kids dance. Those kids were basically, most of them were gay… and when they started to dance, the Crips and the Bloods had that look like, ‘You know what? With all our wars and vendettas and stuff, that’s cool right there. That’s something we’ll never be able to do.’ And that’s what made that evening work.
What impact has “Beat It” and working with Michael Jackson had on your career?
I met a man who I have total respect for. One of the most interesting things he ever a dit to me, I’ll never forget, we were arguing, he a dit to me in that very high-pitched voice of his, ‘You use the F-word to much’. That always stuck with me. I thought that was smart to say at a time like that.
I watched a man dance better than anyone I’d ever seen in my life and I watched a man talk softly and carry a tremendously big stick, get what he wanted and get his way. And as we know now 25 years later, perhaps he got his way too much. But nonetheless, I watched him get his way but always using the softest, quietest approach toi could possibly have used. I was influenced not only par his talent, but par his personality.
It was Michael. He went out and he got ‘em through, I guess, the LAPD’s gang squad and he convinced them that, with enough police presence, this would be a smart and charitable thing to do; get them there to like each other and hang with each other for two days doing the video. I didn’t like the idea because it was hard enough to direct actors and dancers, let alone hoods.
So he tried to use the video to foster peace between them?
Michael was always about peace. He was always about some sort of peace offering. That was his idea and the cops did go along with it and as history has it, we were almost shut down the first night because, as toi know, film sets get to be very boring after the first hour.
I guess the Crips and Bloods started to get on each other’s nerves – they are mortal enemies – and we had a few incidents and two cops came to me and a dit they wanted to close it down. I somehow convinced the cop squad guy to just let me [shoot the] dance. I was gonna hold the dance for the seconde night of shooting. I said, ‘The only thing I can think that’ll save this is to let me just blast the music. I have a feeling it’ll calm everything down. Can’t get any worse, just give me a chance.’ And the cop was cool, he looked at me and said, ‘OK, not much more.’ I couldn’t go much plus because it was volatile – no question about it – and scary. So we were in that warehouse, change of plans we’re going to do the dance, get Michael out of the camper, here we go.
What happened next?
The gang members couldn’t dance so they formed the ring and watched. And the [dancers] all started to dance with Michael Peters and Vince Paterson. When Michael Jackson comes down and does what he does, I remember looking at the faces of all the Crips and Bloods lined up and their expressions as they listened to that musique and watched those kids dance. Those kids were basically, most of them were gay… and when they started to dance, the Crips and the Bloods had that look like, ‘You know what? With all our wars and vendettas and stuff, that’s cool right there. That’s something we’ll never be able to do.’ And that’s what made that evening work.
What impact has “Beat It” and working with Michael Jackson had on your career?
I met a man who I have total respect for. One of the most interesting things he ever a dit to me, I’ll never forget, we were arguing, he a dit to me in that very high-pitched voice of his, ‘You use the F-word to much’. That always stuck with me. I thought that was smart to say at a time like that.
I watched a man dance better than anyone I’d ever seen in my life and I watched a man talk softly and carry a tremendously big stick, get what he wanted and get his way. And as we know now 25 years later, perhaps he got his way too much. But nonetheless, I watched him get his way but always using the softest, quietest approach toi could possibly have used. I was influenced not only par his talent, but par his personality.
MZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray will go about his normal business -- seeing patients -- on the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death.
We're told Murray will not visit MJ's mausoleum Friday, because it will cause a scene. He will, we're told, pay his respects around that time, when no one is there.
Miranda Sevcik, the PR rep for Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, tells TMZ, "Dr. Murray will be mourning privately. He doesn't want to distract people par reminding them of Michael's death. He'd rather people remember his friend, Michael Jackson, as he was in life
We're told Murray will not visit MJ's mausoleum Friday, because it will cause a scene. He will, we're told, pay his respects around that time, when no one is there.
Miranda Sevcik, the PR rep for Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, tells TMZ, "Dr. Murray will be mourning privately. He doesn't want to distract people par reminding them of Michael's death. He'd rather people remember his friend, Michael Jackson, as he was in life
Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, is preparing to release a coffee table, tableau book dedicated to her late son ... this according to a new report.
According to Showbiz411.com, the book will be released suivant week and is called "Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives." The book will reportedly consist of photos on one page and Katherine's thoughts and memories on another ... and will be sold through a website, www.jacksonsecretvault.com.
The site also says Katherine gave an interview with former MJ confidante Marc Schaffel in an effort to promote the book -- a curious decision because Schaffel was heavily involved in Michael's life at one point, but the two had a huge falling out which resulted in several lawsuits.
As we first reported, Katherine plans on taking Michael's kids -- Prince, Paris, and Blanket -- to Michael's hometown of Gary, IN on the anniversary of his death.
According to Showbiz411.com, the book will be released suivant week and is called "Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives." The book will reportedly consist of photos on one page and Katherine's thoughts and memories on another ... and will be sold through a website, www.jacksonsecretvault.com.
The site also says Katherine gave an interview with former MJ confidante Marc Schaffel in an effort to promote the book -- a curious decision because Schaffel was heavily involved in Michael's life at one point, but the two had a huge falling out which resulted in several lawsuits.
As we first reported, Katherine plans on taking Michael's kids -- Prince, Paris, and Blanket -- to Michael's hometown of Gary, IN on the anniversary of his death.
TMZ has learned Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three kids will not be in L.A. to commemorate the one-year anniversary of MJ's death.
Sources connected with the family tell TMZ the gang will be at Michael's birthplace -- Gary, Indiana -- where they will observe the day.
We're told Katherine is set on Gary because she feels it is a "family point of connection" -- and it's just too crazy in L.A.
Our sources say Katherine, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will keep things private with relatives and Friends in Gary.
Sources connected with the family tell TMZ the gang will be at Michael's birthplace -- Gary, Indiana -- where they will observe the day.
We're told Katherine is set on Gary because she feels it is a "family point of connection" -- and it's just too crazy in L.A.
Our sources say Katherine, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will keep things private with relatives and Friends in Gary.
You'll probably never get this letter
Michael, I wrote toi a hundred times before
Knowing how I feel, I'll write a hundred more"
"Dear Michael, everytime your records on
Michael, I close my eyes and sing along
Dreaming you're chant to me"
And then she wrote
"Michael, I l’amour you
I've held tears back long as I can
I'm sealing my feelings in this envelope
Cause I wanna be plus than just your number one fan
I'm gonna answer your letter
I'll start beginning with the ABCs of loving you
Your letter really touched my heart
I've been dreaming of meeting the picture
That toi sent along, signed with all your love
(Michael, Michael)
(I want you)
(She wrote)
I'm gonna write toi back
Ooh, I promise toi that
Girl, I think I l’amour you
Hurry, hurry Mr Postman
Take my letter
Tell her her I l’amour her
Hurry, hurry Mr Postman
Take my letter
Tell her I l’amour her
Dr. Conrad Murray had requested lifesaving equipment and back-up help for Michael Jackson from the promoter of the Londres concerts -- AEG -- but the company never came through, according to a new complaint filed par Joe Jackson.
TMZ broke the story -- Joe was gunning for AEG par filing complaints with the California Medical Board and another agency, alleging the concert promoter abused Jackson in a way that led to his death -- and he's just filed with the Medical Board.
Joe claims days before Jackson's death Murray had requested a cœur, coeur resuscitation machine and a nurse in several e-mails making the request, but AEG never provided it.
According to the complaint, Joe is accusing AEG of co-opting Murray's medical judgment par enticing him with a huge salary -- in effect engaging in the "unlawful practice of corporate medicine."
Besides the CPR machine, Murray also asked for saline, catheters, needles and a gurney.
AEG and Murray had no comment.
TMZ broke the story -- Joe was gunning for AEG par filing complaints with the California Medical Board and another agency, alleging the concert promoter abused Jackson in a way that led to his death -- and he's just filed with the Medical Board.
Joe claims days before Jackson's death Murray had requested a cœur, coeur resuscitation machine and a nurse in several e-mails making the request, but AEG never provided it.
According to the complaint, Joe is accusing AEG of co-opting Murray's medical judgment par enticing him with a huge salary -- in effect engaging in the "unlawful practice of corporate medicine."
Besides the CPR machine, Murray also asked for saline, catheters, needles and a gurney.
AEG and Murray had no comment.