If you ever wanted to learn the secret behind Michael Jackson's 45 degree lean in the Smooth Criminal video and in concerts go to this informative website. Has a video of how it was done and pictures...

http://www.smooth-crimina...sor-45.htm

I definitely learned something new.

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[Edited 2/19/06 15:58pm]

You have revealed my secret! Now u must die!

dreamfactory313 said:

wow, thanks for posting this. Very interesting. I knew it wasn't an "editing" thing with the video like everybody had tried to tell me. But of course watching this as a kid, I though M.J. was just a magic man anyway, I actually believed he did this dance on his own, but when i tried i fell flat on my face...

watching the video...do you think M.J. fired that guy who tripped and sought of messed up their dance sequence because his shoes were still locked????

missfee said:

I think the guy rode out the duration of the tour anyway. MJ may be meticulous, but I don't think he's that cold.

JANFAN4L said:

hmmm u think not?

Is it me being stupid, but I still don't get it.

Even if the shoes are locked, how do they pull themselves back once at 45 degrees?!

missfee said:

Knowing how tour dancers are assembled, usually if one "messes up" consistently or is under the weather, there's always alternates.

thats all?

i was hoping to watch the whole performance..oh well.

Maybe you gotta be a dancer to have that kind of strength & bring yourself back up - I would have fallen on my damn face

I'm more impressed that MJ had a hand in the invention of the illusion and got a patent.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

I don't care what anyone says, the man is a genius and innovator. Findings like this only reinforce that fact.

MJ can do the lean without that device, though not as far ofcourse

here he his without the device http://media.putfile.com/Lean31

JANFAN4L said:

That's Chris Judd I believe who messed up in that video. MJ has also fallen flat on his face doing it to also, nasty fall it was, the crowd acted like he just died when it happened.
[Edited 2/19/06 21:38pm]

http://www.youtube.com/wa...%20astaire

There is a better clip here: http://jetzi.cjb.net/

In the "Various" section.
[Edited 2/27/06 12:18pm]

Michael said that in the video they used magnets, but for the stage act they used hooks.

carlcranshaw said:

It's very interesting to see where MJ gets his inspiration from. I would've loved to see MJ doing some older style dancing instead of modern dancing in a 40s scene.

lilgish said:

http://www.youtube.com/?v=NKrATry5W3Y

This video doesn't show MJ falling on his face, but he does fall and uses his arms to push himself back up. I'm impressed that the fall didn't stuff up his cheorographing, he moved straight into the next step like nothing had happened.

I don't see how someone so strange off stage can look so normal and dare I say sexy (at least back then). It's as though he functions better when performing than in real life.

Interesting...I never liked the "Smooth Criminal" track itself; thought it was a bit sophomoric...But the video was absolutely brilliant...I used to wait for Mike to drop the "45 Lean"....Definitely a standout clip...
[Edited 2/20/06 1:38am]

DarlingDiana said:

I bet he was PISSED!

wow..that stage sucks.....


and i shouldnt have watched this while eating my breakfast..the blairwitchhunt camera shooting has got my tummy all upset.

calldapplwondery83 said:

I was thinking the same thing.

damn yall never knew about the hooks in the floor?? if u've ever seen the bucharest concert u can clearly see one of em (and yes b4 i saw that i was one of the ones say omg mjs magic!!! )

the one who nearly tripped must have gottten a hell of speech after the show

Xavier23 said:

you bet

VanitySixx said:

Well, he has actually said in the past that he feels more "comfortable" on stage than off stage. But in a way it makes sense since being on stage has been his life since he was 5, it's the only life he knows.

whatsgoingon said:

It's not the only life he knows, in addition to being onstage he also has a "real life" in which you have to be able to talk to people and hold conversations. Based on interviews I've seen (except for the one with Oprah many years ago) he seems as if he lacks the capacity to express himself in a conversation or interview without coming across as unintelligent or naive.

FINALLY, a really interesting Michael Jackson thread!!!!

Somebody take a picture!