Behind the scenes with MJ and a kick-ass femme guitarist

I’m a sucker for DVD extras so when I found myself browsing the shelves at the movie store I fell right towards the recently released This Is It documentary of Michael Jackson’s last concert rehearsals. I am not an MJ fan per se, but having grown up in the 80’s and 90’s, I couldn’t help but get a little caught up in the MJ craze in the months following his death.

But if the film was a treat to watch (which it was) is wasn’t because I needed to know any more about Michael Jackson but because the entire film is a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the production of what was to be a spectacular show. This Is It is basically a whole DVD of DVD extras, plus the actual extras, which for This Is It are the behind-the-scenes of the behind-the-scenes that is the feature. As a former performer, I was swept up watching the artists in action—dancers and vocalists, videographers and costume designers, producers, directors, musicians and of course, Jackson himself.

The best part, though, was discovering this 24-yr-old guitar “prodigy” as she has been called, who was to be the lead guitarist for the show. For those who haven’t already done so, meet Orianthi.

Michael Jackson Presente!

Una de mis memorias de cuando estaba chiquita es estar sentada en la sala en nuestro apartamento y viendo el video "Thriller" de Michael Jackson en la televisión pequeña que teníamos. Tenía como 4 años, y aunque me dio un poco de miedo por los zombis, no podía dejar de ver el video ni de oír la canción. Mi mamá me dijo que si veía el video iba a salir el Cucuy, cual regularmente iba a desanimar a una niña de 4 años, pero no me detuvo de verlo.

Afuera de lo que MJ hizo en su vida personal, su talento musical no se puede negar. Entonces, hoy, en el día de su muerte, vamos a celebrar su talento musical y su legacía de canciones que impactaron a millones de personas.

MJ, Tu música vivirá para siempre....

Acabo con el video de mas de 1500 internos en el Cebu Provincial Centro de Detención y Rehabilitación en Cebu, Philippines bailando "Thriller". Es super chido!

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One memory from when I was a little kid was sitting in the living room of our apartment and watching on our small TV the video for "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. I was about 4 years old, and although I was a bit scared by the zombies, I could not tear myself away from the video or from the song. Mi mom told me that if I watched the video the Cucuy would come out, which would regularly discourage a 4 year old girl, but could not stop me from watching and listening to it.

Outside of what MJ did in his personal life, his musical talent cannot be denied. So today, on the day of his death, lets celebrate his musical talent and his musical legacy that has impacted millions of people.

MJ, your music will live on forever....

I leave you all with the video of more than 1500 inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Cebu, Philippines dancing to "Thriller". It's super cool!