Movie Directors Dominate Michael Jackson's Music Video Collection

It appears that Michael Jackson did not want just any music director for his videos. More often than not, Michael Jackson's music videos were directed by people in the movie industry and not music video directors (think...Dave Meyers, Little X, Hype Williams), even long after MTV and related networks came onto the TV scene. When I think about this fact, it does make sense that Michael Jackson would work with movie directors instead of regular music video directors.

Many of his videos were described as short films and had longer running times than the average video released by other music artists. The costumes, scenery and special effects were oftentimes more elaborate than other videos in the music industry. His music videos had characters and a plot, so why not work with the film industry to produce them? An article about one Michael Jackson song led me on a journey of learning how much his music video history lists a Who's Who of the film industry:

I feel the need to mention Billie Jean first because it was the first music video by a black artist that MTV played in heavy rotation. The Billie Jean music video was directed by Steve Barron, who does not seem to have a long filmography in directing but is the man behind the movies Coneheads and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The cable TV network MTV refused to air Michael Jackson's Billie Jean music video on their channel. This decision prompted a heated response from a CBS Records executive who threatened to pull all of their other content from MTV off air and "I’m going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don’t want to play music by a black guy" according to Blender. All of this time, I thought that MTV took a chance on the Billie Jean video because they either liked it or thought Michael Jackson had talent.

Now, it seems that MTV only aired the Billie Jean music video because they didn't want to lose the other content from CBS Records or damage their relationship with a powerful media entity that could help MTV grow to the well known music TV network it has become today. The decision to air Billie Jean was then not based on the merits of the work alone but other underlying factors, in my opinion.

A Wikipedia description of the Billie Jean song, states MTV did not consider black music to be "rock enough. Huh? Let's observe the behavior of radio stations when it comes to black music, for a moment. The popular Hot97 and Power99 FM stations both play predominantly black music but Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" song and nearly every single Lenny Kravitz has EVER released has not received adequate airplay (if any, at all) from these and other "black stations". Therefore, how much more "rock" do we have to be for MTV to put us in heavy rotation (or back then in those "Billie Jean" days of the 80s, at least)? I digress....

Academy Award winner, Martin Scorsese (Departed, Gangs of New York) directed Michael Jackson's "Bad" music video.

Space Jam director Joe Pytka worked on a few Michael Jackson music videos including "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Heal the World" and "Dirty Diana".

The music video for "Speed Demon" was directed by Will Vinton, a filmmaker who specializes in animated movies. Vinton has dozens of short films, TV programs and feature films to his credit.

More on Michael Jackson, his movie director connections and some controversy surrounding one of the popular music video productions tomorrow!

8/11/09 Update: .....had a long day. New posts will be up on Wednesday.

MovieGoods.com -Largest Online Movie Poster Art! Click here!

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Movie Theaters that Screened Michael Jackson's Memorial

Here is a list of the movie theaters that showed the Michael Jackson memorial free of charge. Is your favorite theater on this list? I am disappointed to find out that none of the 50+ movie theaters in Pennsylvania and many surrounding states were showing the memorial. If I did not have television or internet access, I would have had to travel to New York to watch the Michael Jackson Memorial in a movie theater.

Carmike Wynnsong 16
Mobile, Alabama

Rave Colonel Glenn 18
Little Rock, Arkansas

Krikorian Monrovia Cinema 12
Monrovia, California

Galaxy 10 Tulare
Tulare, California

Krikorian Premiere Theatres, LLC
Buena Park, CA

Krikorian Premiere Theatres, LLC
Redlands, CA

Carmike Chapel Hills 15
Colorado Springs, CO

Carmike 15
Columbus, GA

Carmike Conyers Crossroads 16
Conyers, GA

Carmike Wynnsong 16
Savannah, GA

Carmike Beverly Center 18
Champaign, IL

Carmike Market Square 10
Deklab, IL

Showplace East 18
Evansville, INDIANA

Carmike Wynnsong 16
Johnston, IOWA

Carmike Seth Childs 12
Manhattan, KANSAS

NCG Eastwood Cinemas
Lansing, MICHIGAN

Carmike 10
Missoula, MONTANA

Carmike University 8
Warrensburg, MISSOURI

Rave Town Square 18
Las Vegas, NV

Allen Telshor 12
Las Cruces, NM

Park Slope Pavilion 9
Brooklyn, NY

Marquee Cinemas Orchard 14
New Hartford, NY

Clearview Chelsea Cinemas
New York, NY

Carmike 10
Asheville, NC

Carmike Market Fair 15
Fayetteville, NC

Carmike 16
Jacksonville, NC

Marquee Wakefield 12
Raleigh, NC

Carmike Thoroughbred 20
Franklin, TN

Carmike Johnson City 14
Johnson City, TN

Carmike 9 Dyersburg
Dyersburg, TN

Carmike Wynnsong 16-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN

Galaxy Highland 10
Austin, TX

Carmike 20
Edinburg, TX

Rave North East Mall 18
Hurst, TX

Marquee Southpoint 9
Fredericksburg,VA

Carmike 10
Roanoke, VA

Marquee Southridge 12
Charleston, WV

Get Michael Jackson Movie Posters or Music Video Prints at MovieGoods.com -Largest Online Movie Poster Art! Click here!

The Carmike brand of movie theaters appear to be the majority of venues that showed the Michael Jackson memorial at their location. Much thanks to the Carmike movie theaters and Cinedigm for making those events possible. I'm pretty sure that Michael Jackson fans will appreciate it for years to come.

Where did YOU watch the Michael Jackson Memorial? Leave your comments below!

Photo: 5theyeV2

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Lessons I Learned from Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, a musician and performer known as the "King of Pop" passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009. He lives on as the new "King" here at the Madlab Post, leaving behind valuable lessons that we can all live by. Michael Jackson proved that music can be universal and bring different cultures together. The fact that he can make manly men want to turn up the volume and dance also sends a huge message that explicit language is not necessary to get people to pay attention to songs. Here are some very important lessons I learned from Michael Jackson:


Be the Best
When Michael Jackson released his Dangerous album, a relative mentioned that only the cream of the crop among background talent is selected to go on tour and appear in videos with Michael Jackson. The topic came up while watching Michael Jackson's music video for "Remember the Time" on TV. Watching numerous performances and videos of Michael Jackson throughout the years (Remember that '93 Super Bowl XXVII halftime show? Who do you know can top that? Nobody!), I realized that being ordinary is not an option. Being the best as what you do is a lesson that Micheal Jackson taught me for many decades by putting out top notch product and giving each live performance all that he had to give. He remained energetic throughout exhausting work schedules and performance routines that would drive the average person insane. It is important for all of us to be the best that we can, working with what we have available.

Be Generous but not too Polite
Michael Jackson was one of the most generous celebrities that helped children around the world. He was gracious to his fans and had a positive disposition during most, if not all of his appearances. Unfortunately, many people took advantage of his generosity and there is a huge lesson to learn from that experience. Although it's best to be generous to others (doesn't the bible teach us that, after all?), it's even more important to not let our guard down. For every person that will appreciate our generosity and not take it for granted, there are more people that are only concerned with their own gain.

From here on out, I have made it a priority to try and be as generous to those that deserve it but not too much because a lot of people are just greedy. The whole "If you give a mouse a cookie..." philosophy rings true and scandalous people will take all they can, even if they have to bring you down or cloud your reputation. I'm a fan of Michael Jackson, but probably not THAT nice. I couldn't be as sweet and gentle as he was but have learned these important lessons while watching people try and destroy his legacy. If it can happen to someone as talented, wealthy, polite and generous as Michael Jackson, then it can happen to any of us.

Love what you Do
Working long days can make us tired and cranky, especially if we're at an undesirable job. I'm sure that it's possible to have all of the energy in the world when you are doing what you love. Michael Jackson lived, breathed and bled music to the point that he was dubbed "King of Pop" and became an international icon. Sure, many of us have to work to pay bills but Michael Jackson showed us that life is not all about a random paycheck. Working jobs that we enjoy can bring improvements to our physical, emotional and mental health.

Now, I'm not promoting a notion that we all should just go out and try to start a Fortune 500 company or even the next hair salon. If you are a single parent with five children to feed or a former inmate with a longer prison record than work history then maybe it will be difficult to become a supermodel. That does not mean you should settle for a random office position or restaurant job because it pays the bills (unless modeling got boring and you find enjoyment in culinary arts). Become an assistant to fashion designers or photographer for models. There are more possibilities to work in an industry of interest if we stop focusing on one specific position and consider related careers.

Use your Talents Wisely
We come across many people who are trying to be something or someone that they are not. The American Idol auditions have been proving this to be the case since 2002. Michael Jackson taught me a valuable lesson of using talents wisely. There are two aspects of following this lesson. First, know what you are talented at and don't try to front when it comes to areas of expertise you know nothing about. I am a huge action movie fan but would not try to produce an independent film in that genre. I am also not overweight but too short to model so there is no reason for me to be sending an application to Tyra Banks for a contestant position on her 'Next Top Model show.

The second part of this lesson learned from Michael Jackson is to use my talents for good, not evil. Some people who are really good at math equations, marketing and manipulation help drug dealers and crooked corporate workers launder money instead of managing a large bank or financial firm. Some people skilled in working with computers use their expertise to become hackers instead of making money developing the next iPhone app for Steve Jobs or hooking up a slick security tracking system for TrumP Taj Mahal. Many individuals with people skills and sales expertise copy and distribute bootleg DVDs instead of opening a video store, movie theater or licensing their own movies. Michael Jackson used his talents wisely to produce good results including that "Will you Be There" song on the Free Willy soundtrack, "We are the World", "Man in the Mirror" and "Heal the World". These songs are not just a part of music, but a soundtrack for the efforts to building a better environment in the world around us...one person at a time.

Be the Change you want to see in the world
This is actually a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that I read on one calendar and it resonates in the life and accomplishments of Michael Jackson. He did not just sing about the importance of making positive changes, this music icon took action in the same direction. The news report website, Action Jackson reports the superstar as listed as the pop star who "supports the most charity organizations" in The Guinness Book of World Records. Michael Jackson has received numerous awards in honor of his endless charitable work, which has raised millions of dollars for many initiatives to improve areas of health and poverty. He also donated some of his earnings to poor people in other countries.

Many of us describe him by stating "he was an icon" but I realized that is not completely accurate. Michael Jackson IS an icon because there is no one that tops him, even though he died last week. No other music artist will ever top the icon status of Michael Jackson, unless they are related to him (Janet, Prince, Paris and Prince Michael II have good opportunities to replicate his success but it will still be a challenge). Michael Jackson left a huge impact on the world and must be remembered for all of his positive actions more than anything else.

Join me in crowning the King of Pop as our new King Dong for July 2009!

Rest in Peace Michael Joseph Jackson. Your music will live on forever.

What Lessons have YOU Learned from Michael Jackson? Leave your comments below!

Glozell posted this video, so you can virtually visit Michael Jackson's star and memorial on the Hollywood Walk of Fame if you are not in California:

Janet Jackson Speaks at BET Awards and Jamie Foxx Pays Tribute to Michael with Ne-Yo

The Game's new single "Better on the Other Side", Tribute to Michael Jackson featuring Usher, P. Diddy, Chris Brown, BoysIImen, Mario Winans and Polow Da Don.

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