194: Vincent Paterson Q&A

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Vincent Paterson (instagram.com/vlpla) returns to The MJCast, joining Elise Capron (instagram.com/elisecapron) and Q (instagram.com/whatwastheq2) for a listener Q&A. Paterson, who first appeared on the show in 2017 (on #TheMJCast064 (themjcast.com/episode-064-vincent-paterson-spe…)), is an iconic director and choreographer whose career has spanned across film, theater, pop music tours, TV, commercials, and much more. Within the MJ fan community he is, of course, best known for his work with the King of Pop. With Michael Jackson, he played a central role in creating some of the most memorable moments in pop culture history, from the short films for “Beat It” and “Thriller”, where he was a lead dancer and also assistant choreographer, to working on the short films for “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Speed Demon”, “Dirty Diana” and “Smooth Criminal”, (for which he developed Michael’s unforgettable “lean” move), and, later, the “Black Or White” and “Blood on the Dance Floor” films. He also worked on the live performance side, directing the Bad World Tour, the 1988 Grammys performance, the MTV 10th Anniversary performance, the Super Bowl, and more.

Paterson’s resume extends far beyond Michael Jackson as well. He has worked closely with Madonna, George Harrison, Van Halen, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Lionel Ritchie, Whitney Houston, and many more. His choreography in major motion pictures can be seen in work such as “Evita”, “The Birdcage”, “Hook”, and “Dancer in the Dark”, just to name a few.

In 2022, Paterson published his memoir, “Icons and Instincts: Choreographing and Directing Entertainment’s Biggest Stars” (bookshop.org/p/books/icons-and-instincts-chore…), which details his fascinating journey through dance, stage, screen, and beyond.

Paterson is widely recognized as one of America’s greatest choreographers, and the team feels so privileged to have had him on the show back in Season Three for a career-spanning interview, and now, to have him return for a focused discussion around questions sent in from fans.

The MJCast thanks everyone who contributed questions — we wish we could have included each and every submission in our chat! (Note: The hosts had to consolidate some questions for the sake of the flow of the conversation. Also, at the time of recording, Vincent had not yet seen the biopic, so those questions could not be addressed. Thank you for understanding.)

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter (x.com/charliewcarter).

Questions:
1) Jacksongirl2300 (instagram.com/jacksongirl2300) (Instagram): Hi, Vincent. First, it was really good to meet you at the “This Is Thriller” event in October 2024. I would love to ask the five W’s on your introduction to Michael
2) Charlie Carter (facebook.com/CharlieWCarter) (Facebook): During the filming for the Beat It music video, how much interaction did you have with the “gang” members and how would you describe the atmosphere between them? Were there any moments where you thought it might kick off?
3) x.com/MJsBADdie (X): Why didn’t the dancer on the left in the Beat It video know the choreography?
4) Dane Thomson (x.com/Danish484o)(X): How did they come to choose the arrangement of the zombies during the Thriller dance? Particularly the two ladies to Michael’s left and right. They stand out really well. Do you know the intention behind it if there was one?
5) Cindy Messina (instagram.com/cindylmessina) (Instagram): Beside the zombie teeth from Thriller you showed us at This is Thriller, did you keep anything else from the set of any of the other projects you were part of?
6) Paul Dwyer (facebook.com/MrPaulDwyer) (Facebook): I’ve heard conflicting stories around the “LEAN” in the smooth criminal video. Were wires & harnesses used? Or was it those patented shoes? I presume you & MJ worked on the choreography for an amount of time before the shoot. How did your choreography inline with that iconic move? When was that move conceived?
7) x.com/MJsBADdie (X): What parts of the Smooth Criminal short film did Michael conceptualize? Was the spin on the table Michael freestyling or movie magic? What parts of the choreography did Michael tweak to fit his movements?
8) Connor Jake Elder (instagram.com/connorjakeelder) (Instagram): Hi Vincent, I’m a huge fan of your work. Your collaborations with Michael inspired me to start dancing at five years old, and I haven’t stopped since. I’d love to ask: In Smooth Criminal, there’s that incredible moment where the music stops, the cat walks across the piano, Michael lets out the “oooh,” and the performance builds into the final “Annie, Are You Okay?” crescendo. It feels intensely emotional and almost primal. Did Michael ever explain what he was trying to express through that sequence?
9) Porter Wolff (instagram.com/porter_wolff_) (Instagram): Michael Jackson’s original concept for Smooth Criminal was a western—did he ever discuss that idea with you?
10) Bucatini6 (instagram.com/bucatini6) (Instagram): I’ve seen photos of Robert DeNiro visiting the set of Smooth Criminal and I’ve read that perhaps Fred Astaire all visited? Undoubtedly MJ’s outfit was a homage to Astaire- Do you have recollection of these visits? Thank you.
11) Etebeye (instagram.com/etebeye) (Instagram): Hi, Vincent. Your book is a must-read for everyone in performing arts! Your collaborations with Michael are a masterclass in creativity. The MTV10 Will You Be There performance I feel doesn’t get enough props when it’s one of the most artistic and intricate choreographies Michael’s ever done. Could you please walk us through how that piece was developed?
12) Gratian Dimech (x.com/GratianDimech) (X): I’d love to know more about the BOTDF shoot. Such a simple but amazing piece. What was it like directing it with Michael?
13) Leah Thompson (facebook.com/leah.thompson.446040) (Facebook): Can you please tell us any treasured memories from the blood on the dance floor choreography and video?
14) Luma (x.com/maluvms) (X): How was the process of Michael learning salsa to the Blood on the dance floor video?
15) D. | magicmikelegacy (x.com/magicmjlegacy) (X): In blood on the dance floor Michael dances salsa. Is there any other genre of dance that Michael could do besides his own pop/hip hop style that we mostly saw him do.
16) Porter Wolff (instagram.com/porter_wolff_) (Instagram): Can you talk about the 8mm version of the Blood on the Dance Floor video?
17) Eddie Santos (x.com/MR_flako1999) (email): Did you guys end up doing two versions of the blood on the dance floor short film?
18) Lisa Croft (x.com/LisaCroft) (X): Seeing how hard Jaafar physically trained for …