Order "Immortal" now!
Michael Jackson *A Message from one of Michael's techs on TII..,
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 23:03
*A Message from one of Michael's techs on TII..,
"Hi,
My name is jhon. I will spare a second name as i do not want any lawsuits brought against me by AEG or any company affiliated with them.
I worked as part of the technical team on Michaels This is it production.
Firstly let me just say, Michael was a good man, i bare him no ill will or malice, but the reason for this posting is for a few simple reasons--I am publicly not permitted to talk about any aspect of the this is it production. Everyone who worked on that has been told not to give any kind of public statement, only officials or people who are granted permission by AEG are allowed to discuss publicly about the production. People who are allowed are the obvious ones, such as directors(Kenny etc.) Dancers, a few people from production(set, costume designers), musical director etc, the dancers etc...
Understand this...everything that is being said by these people has been vetted and checked. They are told which details to reveal.
MY main anger and point of this article is 3 main things, that i witnessed but did not see in the dvd movie(that my nephew purchased)
1. Many of the vocals used in this is it movie are not the vocals i heard. Please hear me out.
I heard Michael sing ALL of his songs without playback, in the rehearsals we NEVER USE PLAYBACK. When i was younger and starting out i got a job on Michaels earlier tour in 1991. I worked as a junior in productions, and i witnessed 2 rehearsal sessions.--there was no playback, even though when he had taken the show out of rehearsals and onto the road there was a playback. I am sure you can find rehearsals from an earlier tour on the INTERNET--just look into it-he never uses playback on rehearsals-it is pointless because there is no audience .
Basically from my experience with Michael, he never uses playback in rehearsals.--it is a waste, as there is no audience.
I am unhappy that Kenny did not show Michaels real voice on a few songs.
2. My second problem is that some performances from Michael has been left out. He turned up for around 3 rehearsals a week, out of a 6 day week. And in the end had done around 4 full rehearsals before june 25th.
How it worked was like this---Michael spent time learning the moves with his choreographer, and would come in and rehearse with the dancers on average 1-2 times a week, the 3rd day when he was at rehersals he looked into productions and had costume fittings etc.. When Michael was absent there would be a double, just to step in(so the dancers could rehearse). I blatantly saw this double in the movie, in the Smooth criminal performance. You see, that background(with the towers and building)was fully completed after his death. Any footage of him in-front of those building in smooth criminal is not him, HOWEVER IT IS MICHAEL WHEN THE BACKGROUND IS WHITE. That particular scene was confusing, as they mixed the 2 footages together-the footage of the buildings is used with a Michael step in( a double), and when he is in-front of a white screen that is him.-confusing but watch that scene again and you will know what i mean.--it is him when he says POW and he is in front of a WHITE screen, BUT IT IS THE DOUBLE WHEN HE IS IN-FRONT OF A 3D BACKGROUND OF BUILDINGS.
Other performances that, after researching it, has been denied. MICHAEL did perform dirty Diana--it was a masterpiece.---granted Michael did not sound all that good, it was only rehearsal.--he did it twice. The set up was excellent.---why AEG are denying it had taken place i do not know.
We are the world was also performed, and heal the world and a few others.
iNFACT IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND FANS THAT HAVE RECORDED HIM PERFORMING DIRTY DIANA(ON THERE PHONES OUTSIDE STAPLE CENTRE), BUT KENNY HAS DENIED THAT HE PERFORMED IT.
I just wanted to let you guys, the real fans, that there is the real footage out there somewhere and one day you will hopefully get to see it.
3. MY third problem with the movie is it did not address the health concerns that we all saw. Not the thinness, Michael, if my memory serves me well has always been thin-this was not a problem. The problems that i saw, was basically Michael had some problem with his feet. After his rehearsal with the dancers, he would usually be in a great deal of pain, from his feet. I don't know if any one can shed some light on this, but someone on set said his skin on his feel tears easily and has become very sensitive-after years of putting them to use i guessed-this is why Michaels dancers were going to do a large number of the heavy routines, with Michael only participating in a few dance routines(such as beat it the way you make me feel), the rest of the time he would be just walking around stage, filling the room with his presence
He was also in great pain from his back. Although this is not in the movie, but on days that Michael was not there randy, don't know his second name but from my understanding at the time, he was the man who was funding this elaborate show, randy was always talking to Kenny about Michaels and his worries about him not completing 50. Randy and Kenny were talking a lot, and made alot of plans in-case his health fails, Randy also hired a doctor for Michael.
Kenny, as instructed by Randy, always made sure the camera's were rolling on the days mj turned up for rehearsals, although he denies this, but these film footages were made as a guarantee, that if something happened he would have something get his investment back on. I don't know if you fans know this, or whether it is common knowledge or not, but Kenny and Randy are cousins(i think distant)
In fact we were all told that if we saw Michael and his entourage we were to send word to Kenny immediately so as he could instruct the camera men to film.
Well i have said my peace...
*******
A friend of mine sent me the link to this post, im really sorry if someone else here already posted it, but i find this info to be insane.. these people who surrounded Michael were nothing but devils after money... 
Now whether all this is real or not i do not know...
what do you guys think??
http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=485092#post48...
Comments (80)
A couple of things stand out for me here...first I have read elsewhere that it was a double and NOT Michael in front of the white screen during Smooth Criminal piece. What you say seems to be the exact opposite.
The other thing which is different is that I read somewhere that Michael and Kenny were cousins. This also is rather strange when you are now referring to Randy and Kenny being cousins.
@Hairball 64- Prince and Paris were there at some of the rehearsals that is a flat out lie....there are pics that other fans have posted that clearly show Prince sitting in one of the chairs looking on, I think it's the "Thriller" scene....
TII is surrounded by alot of lies...............................
I have so many questions for you but 1st I want to say I hope the words you speak are true. Michael's fans have been through HELL dealing with his death. We all no that the story is much deeper than what we are told. I for one will do whatever I can to get to the real truth and get it out there for all to see.
1- Michael's health...yes Michael has always been a thin man but he was beyond thin. Many around him had brought it to Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega, Frank Dileo and other that Michael was not well. They just brushed these people aside and didn't want to hear it. So in your opinion did Michael look as "healthy" are they have said?
2- I read that Michael didn't even make it through one song because he was so out of breath...once again referring to his health. Is this true?
3- Michael wore layers of cloths during rehearsals while the dancers where sweating...heaters where brought in to place on stage because he was so cold. Is this true? If so Michael's body was already breaking down...(my opinion as a health care provider).
4- One of the dancers (I believe) where asked days after Michael's death if the children had seen or watched Michael rehears...then everyone including Frank Dileo said the kids where never there because Michael wanted to surprise them in London, which would have been the 1st official concert they would have attended and saw their Dad do his magic...is that true???
I hope you see this and take the time to answer my questions. I have many more but shall start here.
Thank you...........S
I saw this on youtube along with another one about Whatever Happened in March 2009 or something to that affect. I would not be surprised at all on what I've read. I will say this, I think that he was under pressure, and he also had the wrong concert promoters period. That is a big statement but I will always feel that way. What he did in 01 was different because he had different people managing his 30th anniversary speciall.
I know MJ wanted to clear some things up before going into making movies because I learned he was not going to do this forever. I think that he like someone else I know of who was known in the field of Gosepl music if any of you remember the late great Thomas Whitfield who was in a different set of cricumstances with his own weight was planning to do a gospel album and multiple touring he had a heart attack at the age of 38. I was shocked at his death just as much as I was MJ's. I believe that with all truth and sincerity that no man or woman is a machine period. The sooner that people learn it the better. If I were his promoter, I would have made a suggestion for him and it being that he do a film with his singing of course I would have given him alot of time. Even if he never took medicine period Michael would have had time to prepare him. There would have been a farewell film instead of a tour. He would have a great promoter not to mention the name of this one at all. Cause I don't want to. I loved MJ very much and I also will. But like his dad said, "No performer and I mean none can do so much in such little time. I even heard Quincy mention that he was with MJ when they added these shows. I felt a disguisted look on his face. Even Andre Crouch who was going to work with Michael just three weeks before he passed said his friend was not ready and he felt it.
When Whitfield known as the Maestro of Contemporary gospel music passed in 92 I thought wow he was far too young and I still do just like Michael. Stress is not good on anyone.
I'm just going to say, I prefer my intuition. And that intuition is with a company beginning with S and ending with NY. Not gossip.
I'm just going to say, I prefer my intuition. And that intuition is with a company beginning with S and ending with NY.
Yes I've heard that Lady Diana and the fans couldn't stop talking how great his voice was all of the recording time lol
Don't forget MJ had to pass a couple of physicals also.
I want to like Kenny...I really do. I want to believe that he was there for Michael and really cared about his well being and that any money being made was only second to Michael's health and happiness. I don't know what to believe anymore. Money will make some people do crazy things.
I would have loved to see Michael perform this concert but then again I wish he had decided against doing it and maybe he would be still here with us. I love him so much and I can't bare to think that he was in this much pain and all these people treating him like a money making machine and not caring about him as a human being. Its sickening.
I would have loved to see Michael perform this concert but then again I wish he had decided against doing it and maybe he would be still here with us. I love him so much and I can't bare to think that he was in this much pain and all these people treating him like a money making machine and not caring about him as a human being. Its sickening.
i think there alot of things in michaels death that don t add up,and the answers to our questions,we may never know. i think their was alot more than dr. murray involved in his death,and i wish i new of a way to prove that,but i don t. hopefully it all comes out.
Well said Cassie, I am with you--he was human. I would have been happy just to hear him sing, he didnt have to dance.
Love you Michael RIP
http://www.this-is-not-it.com/en/testimonies/224-erikas-testimony.html
This so sad and to tell you the truth he did not look 136 lbs, I am 5'9 and 130 lbs and I don't look as skinny as he did.
@CassieForMaxwell: you've spoken from my heart. Thank you!
This is the 2nd person who worked with Michael on This Is It who had the courage to speak out against what was going on even at the risk of being sued. I want to say thank you to the both of them. I don't believe that AEG and the gang was unaware of Michael's health and I 100% believe that they could care less so long as they got their money's worth one way or the other. Thank you guys. I appreciate the insight.
Sometimes I wonder about us. I wonder if we were in any way to blame for Michael trying to do the impossible just to please. Many of us believe he was really invincible and nothing adverse about him is ever true. He was a people pleaser. He had to be aware that he had fans who expected him to be at his best at all times, and would accept nothing less. Can you imagine how he would have felt knowing that he was having a hard time, or in pain, and then having to face an audience who expected him to be perfect? It had to bother him just as much as the negative stuff out there he had to deal with. Michael Jackson was human and as his autopsy shows, he suffered many of the same ills as every other human being. He did have aches and pains and ups and downs and good and bad days. He was not a machine. I saw in This Is It some moments that were not vintage Michael. I saw some moments that showed some even better than vintage Michael. But I also saw some moments where he seemed to be tired and sad and not as high energy as he once had been. But you know what, that was okay with me because over the years time and circumstances had changed him as they would anybody. I didn't expect him to be the same Michael who Moonwalked on the hearts of the world 25 years ago. Michael Jackson was 50 years old, been dancing and doing his magic for much of his life. He had medical problems that would have long ago slowed down the normal human being. And whether you see it in the report or not, he did have dancer's feet. And it is painful and debilitating. But Michael was not normal because he pushed himself relentlessly, a perfectionist. He had been conditioned that way. Sometimes I wonder if Michael had messed up on stage, made some human mistakes, if some of us would have had his back. How would we react? Oh my God, he's human! He had to have questioned the exact same thing and that's a hell of a burden to carry around. If Michael felt after doing all the rehearsing, etc. that he could not physically pull it off perfectly, I cannot even begin to imagine how much stress that would have been for him. Heaven forbid he let the fans down. And everybody who was working around him, with him, knew that. How totally freaking sad.\
Michael, I love you more
Thanks, Forever Michael. Sending the L.O.V.E. to you.
@ Timaran you want get any heat or flames from me either!! I am so glad that you posted what you did!!! I feel the same way!!
Forevermichalj:
*grabs donut*
YUM! My favorite! Boy, it hits the spot! Thanks!
Nadia:
Awww. Bless you for your sweet words!
Everyone,
Someone below said it very well--we are all grieving for Michael and we are all struggling to understand what happened. All I want to do is caution anyone from just whole-heartedly accepting just any old thing that gets put out there, especially when it is contrary to what is incontrovertible fact (e.g., the autopsy report).
With the L.O.V.E.
swan: i do.. cuz i think there could be some more better stuff.. anyways, to be honest, i love this is it, just because michael is there, on the other hand i think the film was't what i expected(i hope you understand me...)i have no idea what you think about the film
@timaran, no flames from me.
How about a donut instead? 
**throws donut**
I'm not saying this person did not mean well, but a lot of it is not that surprising, nor would be denied by us, but it is not what you want in a tribute piece. Sharing the information is fine, but I do not care to see the stuff he said was missing. Do you?
sorry guys, but this person is under pressure right now, pressure of hurt... he came here to share what he saw day by day, with us, to make us see that smth bad was going on... and we are just shooting back... sorry guys , i don't mean to hurt you, but tell me 1 thing:
this person is saying some more good stuff about michael... i heard many lies about michael, and they were in a bad way,directed to harm michael, but i've never heard lieing in a good way////!!! why would he lie about that, when he is saying everything in only a better way!!!! sorry.. but this person said what he saw & i do believe michael did more on rehersals and i do believe, he was feeling not well, that he had pain, and i do believe, that he was also singing without playbacks as well.... but about kenny i can say this--what this person said about ortega are just his own conclusions, that you can agree with or not, that is doubtful, but all other information about michael, which was said above, i do believe, is right!!!!!!!!!
It could be someone just wanting to make trouble. We have to be careful to believe everything that is posted anywhere. I shouldn't have read it.
I believe Michael might have been in pain and his feet hurt, but the stand in for him is not unusual for rehearsals like this. Hollywood films have stand ins for the majority of rehearsals and then the actor just steps in at the end when everything is all set with the rest of the crew. I know this from my friends who have been in movies or t.v. shows. One of my friends is a stand in for a regular t.v. show and he says the actor (star) is there very few hours in comparison to everyone else.
Why would we want to see the stand - in? I have the 2 disc version of "THIs is it" that amounts to about 4 hours of viewing and i am most interested in watching Michael and hearing the good things people have to say. Negative stuff happens, but do we want to see that as a Memorial tribute....no. We want to see the good times. That is not ignoring that there are bad times.
I'm willing to let ppl disclose as I am inclined to believe Michael worked under more pressure and adverse conditions than we know of....and I don't put anything past Randy Phillips/AEG. I won't shoot John down for trying share his insights because I may be afraid of having to deal with some fallout - that is, I'd have to cope with some unsavory information
I do prefer to have a utopian memory of April thru June; (we all want the happy ending so we can carry good memories forever). But I'm also open to learning the bottom line...whatever it is. How am I going to learn if I refuse to listen to anyone's insights?
Yes, I do hear you: Yes scrutinize. Yes question. Yes source things. We need to to this.
Yet I have no doubt AEG has muzzled staff, which puts a wrench into things at this early point.
Whether this story is true or not will come out in time. Truth has a way to make itself known.
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” -- Galileo
Reading this repport I found it suits with my inside thoughts , my feelings, true or not.
Still looking for new truths, whatever they are.
You guys, I know we all are so sad and angry and have questions and want justice. We are so raw right now. We are so vulnerable. I do not judge fans who believe differently than I. I take all thoughts, theories with a grain of salt, as Chel said. I try to look at what IS in this sea of possibilities and fears that continually come at us. I try to look at what I do know to be true and go from that point. Based on this process, I too, agree with the points Timaran has made. I wish for each and everyone of you love and eventual peace. I know it's hard and I take it one day at a time. After the arraignment, I was a mess for a few days and just last night, I did not have nightmares. I did not wake up today to a pain in my chest and stinging tears. I'm still hurt, angry and want justice. God just gave me a touch and I'm doing a bit better today. I'm surviving just like all of you and i want it to stay that way. Thank you, my Lord and my fellow Michael fans who are special and beautiful. Chel, your dream seems to tell me that Michael did it for us to give all and I'm thankful but, man, forget the shows if he would be here instead. I love you, Michael!
In the autopsy report, there was a mention of bruise on his calf but I did not read anything about cracked skin on his soles or mention about dancer's feet condition. He may have suffered from it from time to time in the passt but not at the time of his death.
The report did say that there were arthritis on his lower back and fingers but why didn't they detect any painkillers which MJ supposed to have been prescribed? There were only benzo medx.
This was a very interesting post. I agree with whomever said so many of these annonymous "insider" stories have come out since June that it is difficult to decide what and whom to believe. Yes, this person's writing is terrible, but he is a sound technician, not a writer, teacher, or scholar. He probably did not emphasize communication during his education. If he is telling the truth, he was foolish to reveal so much information about his resume, his name, and his position. He will surely be found out and punshed.
@MJ Forever Lover hypothetically, the shows were sold to get the money; AEG would worry later about the consequences of show cancellations. I could be wrong, but I don't think any money was ever refunded to fans who held O2 tickets. Early on there was some talk of ticket holders getting replacement tickets to some sort of tribute concert, but that hasn't materialized at all. AEG has gotten to keep that money anyway. I also heard prior to his passing that he had negotiated to do 10 shows and in his absence, certain powers that be (possibly Thome2) had negotiated w/AEG to up the number to 50 to maximize profits. In other words, they would have nearly the same production costs to do 50 as to do 10 so their profits would be much, much higher. The information was leaked to the press and Michael felt pressured to follow through so as to not dissapoint his fans.
@CassieforMaxwell and others, I also noticed discomfort and stiffness during numerous segments in TII. I chalked it up to his injuries and his age. Still, I can both imagine and empathize with some of his physical challenges. I wonder why AEG never put a podiatrist on staff along with an orthopaedist and possibly even a masseuse? You would think that would have benefitted them to make him as comfortable as possible. It is possible and probable that Michael was taking common anti-inflammatories for his back and joint problems rather than opioids or other prescription painkillers. The coroner would not have necessarily listed OTC meds or a common prescription med like Naproxen Sodium or the like on the autopsy report especially if it had no bearing on his suspected cause of death. It all depends on the practices in that jurisdiction. It is also possible he took them but they had broken down by the time of his death. A lot of things are possible, but it's obvious he had age and occupationally-related issues. I still don't believe he was frail and/or dying, just aging. Michael may have looked 35 on the outside, but his body was 50 or older.
@Timaran, you are correct. The majority of the movie features live audio. If you listen closely, you can tell it is live due to variations in timbre and breathing patterns. There are portions where the background WAS enhanced by playback as was done in many of his concerts (but only on certain songs), but I think TII is mostly Michael.
Honestly, I have re-evaluated my opinions on so many things surrounding his life and death so many times since June 25th, I have lost count. The real, complete truth may never be known. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop searching for it, though.