Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary - Estate Announcement Page 66

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Fantastic, i knew it was gonna happen eventually. I hope we see much more archive footage of Michael, it should be at least 65% footage of Michael! other 35% should have interviews with people who worked with Michael during that time.. and maybe his brother's discussing the Destiny & Triumph Tours? an expanded edition of 'Off The Wall' should happen also with some unreleased tracks and maybe a concert.. hopefully from negatives.

 

[VictorMacBernik]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I love the Bad 25 documentary but please Spike, no more Bieber, Carey, or anybody else!!

 

[Tygger]

Excellent news!!! I am truly looking forward to this film!

Lee is working in conjunction with the Estate. Just a reminder for anyone involved with the project who may lurk in this thread and would like to ensure this film is a worthy documentary for the OTW album:

Agreed. This album was quite successful at the time, not obscure and deserves a full length documentary. I do hope that a documentary about OTW will be completed and will include Quincy Jones. Regardless of how Jones may/may not feel now and any legal issue he currently has with the Estate, the pairing was historic and should be documented.

It would be remiss not to mention what was happening in Michael’s life at the time; it was similar to a coming-of-age. There should be in-depth discussion about his quest for artistic independence and his desire and drive to prove himself as a solo artist. It must include The Wiz, what he achieved with his brothers with Destiny and Triumph for comparison (and entertainment) purposes, how it was promoted (Suzuki commercials, Diana Ross' special, the Chase interview, RS interview, etc), each video/short film (DSTYGE/RWY/SOOML: this is a MUST) and lastly – and hopefully – an abundance of archival, concert, and backstage concert footage. OTW was extremely successful for Michael despite not winning a Grammy and it should end with Michael’s desire to top himself which, of course, he did with Thriller.

I have no issue with contemporaries being included however; I would hope they would be more accurate and present for good reason. Questlove stated the Bad tour was the first stadium/arena tour for an African-American artist when Victory was the first stadium/arena tour for any artist of any race/culture. I also did not feel enough time was spent discussing the Bad tour; the work behind it, the achievements. I believe Bieber only appeared because L.A. Reid/Sony wanted to promote his artist which is disrespectful to Michael.

If this documentary comes to fruition – and I truly hope it does – I hope it will be distributed similar to the way I hoped the Bad25 documentary would have been distributed after airing on television. It should be a cd/dvd offering that includes the OTW album (most likely the same track list of the special edition unless there are unreleased songs available from the era) and the Spike Lee documentary. A second offering should include a live concert (Triumph although it would be grand to have Destiny AND Triumph so viewers can see the growth Michael had as an artist) and accompanying live cds (please do not condense a full concert to one cd again).

Unfortunately, I forgot to mention that the documentary must include discussion about the iconic album art. This was Michael's true, adult solo effort yet, the album cover was very much like a wall poster that is often used for teen idols.

 

[serendipity]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Glad to have a confirmation about this!

 

[HIStoric]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I wonder how much behind the scenes footage we have of Michael from this period...

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I wonder how much behind the scenes footage we have of Michael from this period...

This looks great.. wonder if it exists in higher quality?

This also...

 

[AtlasAir]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

like in Bad, Spike interviewed JB, Mariah Carey, etc, I didn't see the purpose to include them.

These documentaries need talking heads to give perspective. That's why they were in them.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I hope Spike was able to get an interview with Rod Temperton, how cool would that be?

 

[analogue]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I hope Spike was able to get an interview with Rod Temperton, how cool would that be?

That would be awesome. He was a big part of that album, and a documentary without him would feel incomplete

 

[Tony R]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

That would be awesome. He was a big part of that album, and a documentary without him would feel incomplete

Indeed, he wrote the title track for one thing. Arguably Michael's best title track.

 

[Tears.In.Rain]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Does anyone know, or are there any news about Destiny Tour being shot on film? If such material exists I guess Spike will include it in the documentary, just as he did for that APOM sequence in BAD25. Fingers crossed.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Does anyone know, or are there any news about Destiny Tour being shot on film? If such material exists I guess Spike will include it in the documentary, just as he did for that APOM sequence in BAD25. Fingers crossed.

This was shot specifically for the video, i think it's more likely that a full Triumph show is on film.. hopefully they will release a full show..

 

[HIStory]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

This was shot specifically for the video, i think it's more likely that a full Triumph show is on film.. hopefully they will release a full show..

This is overdubbed. I'd rather want something live. MJ sounded great on that tour.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

This is overdubbed. I'd rather want something live. MJ sounded great on that tour.

It's not playback during the original performance, the original recording was placed over later on meaning the untouched performance is still in tact! and indeed, the Triumph Tour is the one i hope will be released, maybe on Blu-Ray.. would be nice for a change

 

[HIStory]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

The two legs of the Destiny Tour were different and the shows were like one hour long, so I think they could put a show from each leg on a DVD release.

Like

And backstage footage

Plus interviews from that era.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I think they should release Triumph Tour though, more song's from the 'Off The Wall' album and more likely to be on film.. especially considering their were multitracks at several shows.. i think the last 4 shows being at the forum.. maybe one is definitely on film.. or maybe they shot a feature length theatrical spectacular over those 4 days? whatever, i think Triumph is the one.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary


Favorite live vocal of all time.

 

[barbee0715]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

This was shot specifically for the video, i think it's more likely that a full Triumph show is on film.. hopefully they will release a full show..

Shot specifically for what video? I watch one of these versions at least five times a week-I like the sound on the overdubbed version because for some reason the music and backgrounds sound off key on the live one. (At least the ones I have saved).
But then you don't get to hear him scream "Eddie!!"

Rod Temperton should definitely be in the Off the Wall doc. I love the interviews he and Quincy did for the Spec Edition. I don't know about Quincy anymore.

I just hope it includes all the stuff Zakk has been talking about and more. And you too respect.
I'd like some of Destiny but All of Triumph after they reworked it with the OTW hits.


I love Bad25 but it could have easily been 2 hours longer.

Edited to add-everybody should watch the video Respect posted of the Destiny rehearsals-fascinating to watch Michael wearing the one glove during "Dancing Machine"-it just glitters and shines in that light. I think it's so strange that I never heard anything about that before Motown 25.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Shot specifically for what video? I watch one of these versions at least five times a week-I like the sound on the overdubbed version because for some reason the music and backgrounds sound off key on the live one. (At least the ones I have saved).
But then you don't get to hear him scream "Eddie!!"

Rod Temperton should definitely be in the Off the Wall doc. I love the interviews he and Quincy did for the Spec Edition. I don't know about Quincy anymore.

I just hope it includes all the stuff Zakk has been talking about and more.
I love Bad25 but it could have easily been 2 hours longer.

I think the Off The Wall video was promo at the time for the Triumph tour? i read some information in regards to the filming of it etc. although i can't manage to locate it right now.. i always thought their was no show in Los Angeles until i found out that the forum is in California.. hehe, hmm.. in addition to the hopeful Triumph Tour Blu-Ray i'd love to hear more home demo's, some remixes and unreleased song's.. will the documentary promote the possible expanded edition or will it be bulked with the package?

Don't forget this also...

 

[barbee0715]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

^^oh jeez. I need to get on a real computer as soon as possible bc I'm using a phone that's acting up.
I'm still really angry that I always thought these two tours didn't play here and found out about 3 years ago that they both did. And I was in my concert going prime at that time. Grrrrr.

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

^^oh jeez. I need to get on a real computer as soon as possible bc I'm using a phone that's acting up.
I'm still really angry that I always thought these two tours didn't play here and found out about 3 years ago that they both did. And I was in my concert going prime at that time. Grrrrr.

Don't feel upset, maybe the estate will redeem the unfortunate who were unable to see Michael at all or during that era? i know the negatives exist, but it's always a guess game with them.. BetaCam or Quad Tape would be just meh

 

[#MJforever57]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

The two legs of the Destiny Tour were different and the shows were like one hour long, so I think they could put a show from each leg on a DVD release.

Like

And backstage footage

Plus interviews from that era.

This would be great to have.

I am one of those fans who never got to see Michael in person or went to a concert .

 

[#MJforever57]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

It's confirmed then, thanks Annita. I hope Spike focuses more on Michael (showing more behind the scenes in the studio, short films), it was a good idea showing archive footage of Quincy Jones, nowadays he hasn't anything good to say about Michael and his bitterness pisses me off. And it'd be better not showing people who had nothing to do with the record, like in Bad, Spike interviewed JB, Mariah Carey, etc, I didn't see the purpose to include them.

I agree we do not need those interview more of the ppls who work with Michael and more footage of Michael in the studio.

Yes can't forget Rod Temperton i am old school i love Heat Wave

 

[HIStoric]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Well, it depends on what Spike Lee focuses on in this documentary. I'd prefer when discussing the creation of the album itself that they restrict it mostly to those who worked on the album itself. If someone (like West, Carey, a reliable critic or whatever) can actually offer an interesting piece of information they know about the creation of the album, then yes, absolutely feature that small snippet in the relevant portion of the doco.

If he starts talking about the influence and impact of the album, like he did on 'Bad 25', it would make sense to feature people who were heavily impacted by the album (such as Kanye West, Mariah Carey etc)... that is, if they have something meaningful to contribute.

Off the top of my head, I can recall Kanye West contributed to the Bad 25 documentary by discussing 'Smooth Criminal' and who Annie really was. He also discussed how while Thriller was more of an iconic era, the Bad era was actually the more influential era. Justin Bieber for example didn't contribute much except a short story about leaning forward on a plane. However we all know he's heavily influenced by MJ so if he can offer something worth contributing in regards to the influence of 'Off The Wall', then yes I would be down for having him in the documentary.

 

[barbee0715]

I agree with people commenting on the influence-especially with the new music of Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and probably a lot I'm not aware of, obviously inspired by Off The Wall.

I thought Justin Bieber was out of place until he said he swiped the whole video for one of his songs from TWYMMF. I watched it later and he definitely did.

But the new artists remind me of the special Michael did in the early 2000s: Pharrell was in it, Beyoncé, Jill Scott, Missy Eliot et al. I hadn't heard of 80% of those people then. I thought at the time that was really smart, because kids of the late 90s/early 2000s might be watching for their favorite artists and Michael was introduced to a new generation.

And it also reminded me of "The Legend Returns"-when Michael was young and most middle American people still thought of him as the boy wonder of the Jackson 5-and they had all these great stars of my parents' generation-Gene Kelly, Elizabeth, Sophia Loren, Quincy talking about Michael as the real deal-an adult star. I loved that. Not only were both specials wonderful, but they were brilliant marketing.

 

[HIStoric]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I thought Justin Bieber was out of place until he said he swiped the whole video for one of his songs from TWYMMF. I watched it later and he definitely did.

Oh yeah, I remember that!

 

[Snow White luvs Peter Pan]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I agree about bringing on people saying relevant stuff others may not know like what Kanye revealed about Annie but at moments Spike relyed too much on talking heads and "experts" and not focusing enough on Michael, the writer, composer and creator of his own craft. Michael composed 95% of the Bad album but Spike focused too much on Siedah. Give the genius the credit he deserves. I loved Spike's docu but those were the flaws I saw IMO.

 

[AtlasAir]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Too much on Sideah? But she wrote a big track on the album and duetted on the first single. Of course she was going to be in there more than, say, one of the engineers or something.
Also, she's very engaging.

I'd imagine for the talking heads for Off The Wall (and he's gonna use 'em, so get used to it), he'd get Justin, Usher, Pharrell, Beyonce, Bruno (if any of them would want to do it).

 

[Zakk]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Bruce Swedien has to be featured again, he played a big part in the finished product! wouldn't it be great to see some footage of the day were Michael was dressed as Charlie Chaplin in the studio? the pictures look great, i wonder if some footage exists from the making of 'Rock With You'? although it is not as theatrical as some of his later pieces, i think it was a wonderful piece of work!

 

[HIStory]

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I did not think the Justin Bieber segment contributed anything worthwile to Bad 25. I could see Kanye's or Questlove's part contributing to the discussion about MJ and Bad, but I could not see the point about Bieber. I suspect it was simply to try to draw in younger people (ie. his fans) to watch the docu. But I also suspect that a typical fan of his would just cut out the part with him and watch that again and again, rather than the whole docu. Of course, it's generalization and maybe if we can get just a couple of them actually watch the whole docu and become interested in MJ that's a good thing. He did not have that much part so I can live with that, but I do not think it contributed to the film and I can't see why he should be again in this film about OTW. If current artists are interviewed I'd rather have ones who have clear and obvious OTW influences in their music. (Daft Punk, Pharrell, Timberlake, Timbaland, Bruno Mars etc.).

What I did not like in Bad 25 was that IMO it did not have enough focus on Michael as a creative force. They talk lengthy about the songwriting of Siedah, but no word about the fact that 90% of the album was written by Michael. Again the creative aspect of Michael remained overlooked. On OTW he wrote less songs, but I'd like some focus on the creative process of Michael. Talk to his siblings, they can certainly tell a thing or two about those sessions where the demos of DSTYGE and WDAN were created. Hopefully egos won't get in the way and we won't hear claims like "Actually I wrote DSTYGE" or any BS like that.