Questions regarding Michael Jackson’s death will no doubt persist for weeks and even months to come. But for serious Jackson fans, of particular interest is the issue of unfinished or unreleased material that perhaps will see the light of day.
One of the most intriguing of such projects is an elaborate 3-D video spectacular that the late singer was apparently working on in the weeks prior to his death. As reported by the Associated Press, Vince Pace, whose company furnished cameras for the production, described the project as “a groundbreaking effort ” that employed technology in such a way that “the audience would have felt like they were visiting the Thriller experience, like they were there.”
Two unnamed sources corroborated the existence of the production – dubbed the "Dome Project" – telling the AP the work took place over a period of five weeks at Culver Studios in Los Angeles. One of the sources says Jackson was on the set for most of the filming, which lasted from June 1 through June 9. The source went on to say that Jackson was “willow thin” and “pallid,” adding that although he “walked with a spring in his step,” at one point he needed assistance while descending the stage.
Four sets were constructed for the project, one of which featured a cemetery that recalled the 1983 Thriller video. The other sets featured, respectively, a mural of Jackson wearing his Thriller werewolf costume, a lush jungle, and a construction set. One scene featured in the construction setting was said to include “scantily-clad male dancers wearing carpenters’ belts.”
According to the AP, the high-tech extravaganza was to be incorporated into Jackson’s London shows, with the 3-D images flashing behind Jackson as he performed on-stage. Naturally, the question now arises as to whether the shows’ promoter, AEG Live, has rights to the footage. AEG Live spokesperson Michael Roth told the AP that he hadn’t heard about the project, but “did not rule out” that is could be part of the company’s contract with Jackson.
News of the project comes on the heels of reports that AEG Live amassed 100 hours of film footage of rehearsals for the London concerts. Sources say there’s enough music audio in the footage to comprise two live albums. Jackson never released a live album during his lifetime, so the material – and the video footage – could constitute something of a bonanza for AEG Live, which reportedly spent $30 million on pre-production for the London shows.
Meanwhile, producer/songwriter will.i.am has revealed details regarding the material he and Jackson were working on for Jackson’s presumed next studio album. Speaking to the U.K.’s Daily Mirror, the Black Eyed Peas founder said the CD was to be “a dance music album” that would have been “out of this world.”
“I was very proud of it,” he said. “But [Jackson] was very protective and kept it under lock and key. After we made it I had to hand back e every demo. He was a perfectionist and didn't want anyone to hear it until it was ready.”