The old was was called Behind The Mask Project and it was just a collage of fan submitted dances.
This new one was a alternative video that was made but ultimately dropped in favour for the project one.
I actually think that this one may have been the first, official video - the copyright is marked on it as
(C) 2010 MJJ Productions. I just think it was shelved until a later time, due to the controversy and the backlash over the Cascio songs. When this one was finally released online, it would have
appeared as though it was a second, alternative version, because the "Behind the Mask" Fan Project had already happened in 2011. I'm theorising that the fan project might have been an attempt by the Estate to win back fan confidence through their involvement.....to get fans behind the release of "Behind the Mask" as a single, by including them in a visual representation of worldwide admiration, love and support for Michael and his music.
This is the only posthumous music video that looks like there was actual effort put into it. It's a disservice to it and everyone involved that it was scrapped in favor of that horrid fan compilation and then thrown without care on YouTube eight years later.
The fan project was released in June, 2011, in time for the second anniversary of MJ's passing and to me, it was a lovely, worldwide tribute. As far as I remember, it was always promoted as an
official video for the song (not just some rubbish slapped together). In actual fact, a lot of work went into gathering appropriate submissions from fans for the video, through the Michael Jackson website.
I don't think it's fair to say that this other video was "scrapped" in favour of the fan compilation. In 2011, it was yet to be properly unveiled....but it did finally find its way onto YouTube in 2013 (I think through Vimeo). I have had it in my favourites since the 31st July of 2013, to be exact. It is marked, as follows:
Music video by Michael Jackson performing Behind The Mask.
(C) 2013 Optimum Productions. Second Version of the Official Video.
So, it's been on YouTube for five years already...that is a FACT. It's not being "thrown without care, onto Youtube" after eight years!! Right now, all that's happened, is that it has been put onto MJ's Official VEVO channel....this is gradually being done with all of his videos and short films, so that they're together in the one place, in full HD/widescreen.
It's great to think that some people who didn't know about this video at all can now enjoy it in the same way that I have done, for the last five years and it's wonderful to read so many excited and positive comments underneath it on YouTube as well.
For anyone interested in seeing the "other" official BTM video (the fan project).