Chapter 10 was all about capturing the Make A Wish group visit at Neverland.
DB earlier surmised that the most effective way to counter the 'media-fuelled perceptions' was by focusing on MJs work, and felt that with the success of all the videos, they were on track for this. With Xmas approaching, the label were finally open to releasing a softer song and agreed to release HTW, MJ was happy about this and asked for the royalties to go to the HTW foundation. The HTW video was montage footage of war torn regions and included the HTW foundation artwork.
DB takes time to write about the HTW charity. He concludes that it was the product of MJs idealism but he struggled to establish the proper framework for it. Although it lasted a decade and contributed millions, it appeared to lack the necessary structure of a charity organisation, with no one from MJs team particularly responsible for it. DB sensed it was the 'operation of one'.
DB moves onto the logistical issues for the filming of the MAW event at Neverland for the following Monday. He details all the issues around finding a last minute director and a camera crew, and the travel arrangements to get everyone to Los Olivos. Once there, the director calls up DB to bail as he was shooting a Sony exec 50th birthday instead. DB goes into panic mode, but the director assures him the camera team he assembled are competent enough to carry out the job.
There were teams of 3 serving each of the 4 cameramen. DB arranged a lunch meeting with them on Sunday. DB realised he would have to be the unofficial Director and Producer, and he felt the weight of the pressure to get this right, especially as this was the first time MJ was allowing cameras in his house, albeit very reluctantly. He tells them the importance of approaching the day with respect and sensitivity for the terminally ill children and their families. As the team were used to filming the showbiz world, he had doubts about their approach to a very different subject matter. He also made it clear that MJ was very uncomfortable about having cameras there, and they needed to be sensitive about this too. He added that once inside Neverland, they were in no way permitted to make jokes about MJ, DB was paranoid about staff overhearing such comments and 'half joked' about the trees at Neverland being bugged. DB was mortified at the prospect of being thrown out of Neverland if any of the team were caught making fun of MJ. DB felt reassured of the teams competence after meeting them.
Monday 30 November 1992 arrived, and it was perfect weather wise. This was DBs first visit to Neverland, he noticed the Disney influences straightaway and described Neverland as 'beautiful and spotless and perfectly manicured', he felt a 'sense of peace and hope' and concludes his description by stating the 'whole place was Michael'. When DB settles, a member of staff asks him for the questions for the interview. DB is surprised at this, and thought an interview opportunity would only be granted at the end of the day. Looking back, DB acknowledges that MJ wanted the interview out the way so the day was all about the children when they arrived. In a rush, DB scribbles some questions and hands them over, within minutes of this DB and his crew are summoned to the dance studio.
MJ arrives and DB writes how relaxed and different MJ seemed. He mentions how MJ, while always warm and professional, appeared to be processing several thoughts at any given time when engaged in discussions. DB comments how on this day, this 'edge was gone'. MJ was a 'relaxed host' and displayed 'pride and comfort' as he showed the crew around the dance studio and the theatre.
MJ decided on shooting the interview in his dance studio. The angle of the interview was to discuss the creative process and how growing up interferes/dilutes that creative process. DB notes how they were effectively interviewing Peter Pan in Neverland. MJ expands on how the motivations from children/animals/nature come with no agenda. DB recalls that MJ was comfortable during the interview and it lasted around 30-40 minutes. Once the interview was over MJ 'zoomed' off in his golf cart to the house, and pointed out the Snake barn and recommended they visit it. DB and the crew visited said snake barn but were not fond of such creatures and were put off by all the reptiles.
When the MAW busses pull up after 11am ish, MJ leaves the house with a young niece and nephew, the latter two run up to meet the MAW guests and MJ gave a 'delighted laugh' as he watched them go. MJ shared that he was happy with the presence of DB and his team. DB felt humbled that MJ trusted him to capture the day and remarks how it's a wonderful thing that he opens up his house. MJ replies in a 'breezy' manner that the Neverland staff arrange these days often, irrespective of whether he is there or not. DB noticed an 'unnatural whiteness' on MJs right wrist and recognised it as vitiligo and noticed a brown freckle/mole in the same area. This leads to a discussion about vitiligo, MJ dismisses it as something he 'can deal with', but is pained that others are afflicted by it. DB mentions that MJ demonstrated pride in being a black man despite all the negative commentary about MJ wanting to be white routinely spread by the media, and these thoughts were also shared by his own colleagues at the label.
DB then diverts the narrative to discuss MJs changing appearance. He surmises that MJs attempts to even out his skin tone and have plastic surgery were motivated by the same perfection seeking standards he demonstrated in all aspects of his professional career, but that his level of attention to detail in these particular areas 'spiralled out of control'.
DB returns the narrative to the MAW group who all surround MJ, excitedly calling his name trying to greet him, while MJ asks for their names and attempts to greet them all. MJ waits for the motorised wheelchairs to be unloaded before he leads the way to the game room.
As this is all unfolding DB reflects on how the terminally ill children had suffered greatly in their short lives, and how the parents had been given the news that no parent could bear, a future without their child. He reflects how this one magical day in Neverland was going to uplift their spirits in a way no medicine could at that point. He briefly mentions two young brothers from England who had both been diagnosed with leukaemia. All in all there were 13 terminally ill children and 100 of their family and friends.
As everyone made their way, MJ took the time to talk with everyone, and appeared to 'get a kick out of their joy'. The children in the wheelchairs were most emotional about meeting MJ, DB wonders whether this was because they were the ones who could not run/yell their excitement about seeing MJ like the rest of the children could. MJ spent time with each of these children and DB describes the atmosphere as 'palpable'.
A lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad was served, after which they made their way to the amusement park. DB recalls how MJ was acting as an 'activities director' ensuring everyone was included and encouraged the shy ones to participate, while taking time for parents too. He recounts how MJ had finished talking with a family when he noticed a girl viewing a swing rope who was reluctant to use it, MJ went over to her and demonstrated how to use it to encourage her. Some animals were bought out for the children to cuddle and take pics with.
By 5pm everyone boarded the train back with MJ driving the train. MJ gave everyone goodbye hugs and DB notes how it was the adults who took longer hugs with MJ. DB reflects on how MJ had made a meaningful difference in their lives at a time when they had bleak days ahead.
The 4 cameramen had captured everything, totalling 32 hours of footage. They reflected on their day, even though this crew were accustomed to the glitz and glam of the showbiz world, they described the day as 'unbelievable' and confessed to crying 'a couple of times'. DB admits he shed tears that day too, and they all had a 'newfound admiration' for MJ.
The footage was sent to the original director, who made a two minute video, and also interviewed some parents who were there. DB concludes that as MJs life blew up, all that footage got shelved gathering dust, untill some of that 2 minute footage appeared on YouTube.
My commentary:
This was a long one and the best chapter so far! We have all seen MJ in his element on stage, but I felt DB and all the camera crew were able to see MJ in his element at his home, and I don't think this is something we as fans have truly witnessed. The fact that there are 32 hours of footage gathering dust somewhere is both hope/fury inducing. Even though DB coverage was all promo driven, the event felt like a reprieve from the crazed money/image obsessed MJ factory, mainly because MJ wasn't being criticised for every breath he took, and with DB handling the MAW topic with the respect it deserved.
Of course after reading this I went straight to YouTube and think I have dug out the clip DB references. I will warn those who have not seen it before, that the boy David Sonnet will break your heart. There's footage of two small children wearing matching hats and clothes, I wonder if these are the two brothers with leukemia. (Also, cute MJ smile alert!).
DB did a good job of portraying what MJ was trying to do with Neverland, and to think the place was defiled by child abuse allegations is really heartbreaking to ponder. I felt Martin Bashir experienced this too because there is that behind the scenes footage of him gushing to MJ about it. Obviously, MB chose not to portray this. But DB gives a real sense of the specialness of the whole experience. Imagine what Neverland could have represented if the first allegations never happened.
Reading about MJ discussing the pure motivations of children was also a hard read, knowing what we now know.
I picked up on how DB repeatedly informed his team about the no MJ jokes policy. This was sad, as it suggests that MJ jokes were common place among teams working for MJ, to the extent that they had to be repeatedly reminded not to disrespect MJ in his own home. There's something tragic about that. The silver lining was that they all had nothing but respect for MJ by the end of the day. Maybe if the world had seen such footage, they too would have appreciated MJ through a different lens.
The comment of HTW charity being an 'operation of one' was another unturned stone that bugged me. Who was the one, MJ? Someone else?
The reference of MJ getting a kick out of peoples joy was reminiscent of an interview Riley Keough (LMPs daughter) gave, she said something along the lines of MJ getting a kick out of making others happy.
That's all folks! Will post some more tomorrow.
I'm aiming to get 2/3 chapters done a day, as there are 33 chapters it will take me a while to catch up with
@innuendo141!
www.mjvibe.com
