Fan-sourced Michael Jackson video debuts tomorrow

Last March, Sony Music and the estate of Michael Jackson asked fans around the world to contribute to the video for Behind the Mask, a song from his posthumous album, Michael.

The global online casting call asked fans to shoot, upload and submit their own unique performances for inclusion in the video, eliciting a response from 103 countries. Tomorrow, on June 14th, the fan-sourced video for Behind the Mask will be unveiled on Facebook.

For the project, the social networking website was loaded with simple tools that defined different roles. Users selected an action like playing an instrument, singing a lyric, acting out a crowd reaction or demonstrating a classic MJ dance move. Contributors were able to shoot their move right on the website or with their web cam and upload the clip at the precise time it occurred in the video.

“This has been the most exciting and fun project I think I’ve ever been involved in,” said director Dennis Liu. “It’s been such a privilege, and was incredibly moving to see so many people from all over the world join as one, their creative voices, dance and musical talents bound together by Michael Jackson’s spirit and incomparable artistry. 

“We received submissions from the Sahara Desert to Venice Beach, from mountaintops to suburban backyards, with some shots featuring well over one hundred people apiece. All who participated delivered brilliantly.”

Submissions were carefully edited down by the director to the best 1600 submissions (including 50 kids and 36 animals).