The following is an excerpt from the just-released book, 'Tell to Win':
Once you’ve got your hero, what gets the emotion moving? What holds us spellbound, begging for more? Michael Jackson taught me in no uncertain terms, the answer is drama.
Back in 1991, Jackson already was a force to be reckoned with. After renewing his contract with Sony for a record-setting $65 million, he released his eighth album, "Dangerous¸" with the singles “Black or White” and “Remember the Time,” both of which dominated the pop charts. As CEO of Sony Pictures, I’d sat in on the studio production of that album and was overwhelmed by Michael’s creative intensity and perfectionism.
His ambition knew no bounds. But when Sony’s most important musical asset invited me to his home in Encino to discuss his plans to get into movies and television, I was taken aback. Michael had proven he knew everything there was to know about pop music, but movies were a different animal. He wanted to produce as well as act. That meant telling stories. Could he do it?
I didn’t even have to ask the question. “In both films and music,” Michael said, “you have to know where the drama is and how to present it.” He gave me a long, intense stare and abruptly stood up. “Let me show you.”
He led me upstairs to the hallway outside his bedroom, where we stopped in front of a huge glass terrarium. “This,” he said, “is Muscles.”
Inside, a massive snake was coiled around a tree branch. His head was tracking something in the opposite corner of the terrarium.
Michael pointed with his finger at the object of Muscles’ obsession. A little white mouse was trying to hide behind a pile of wood shavings.
I said hopefully, “Are they friends?”
“Do they look it?”
“No. The mouse is trembling.”
Michael said, “We have to feed Muscles live mice, otherwise he won’t eat. Dead ones don’t get his attention.”
“So why doesn’t he just go ahead and eat it?”
He said, “Because he enjoys the game. First he uses fear to get the mouse’s attention, then he waits, building tension. Finally, when the mouse is so terrified it can’t move, Muscles will close in.”
That snake had the attention of that mouse, and that mouse had the attention of that snake -- and Michael Jackson had my attention.
“That’s drama,” he said.
“It sure is!” I said. “This story has everything -- stakes, suspense, power, death, good and evil, innocence and danger. I can’t stand it. And I can’t stop watching.”
“Exactly,” he said. “What’s going to happen next? Even if you know what it is, you don’t know how or when.”
“Maybe the mouse will escape.”
Michael let out one of his high, strange laughs. “Maybe.”
If I’d had the slightest doubt about Jackson’s command as a teller of stories, it evaporated that day. His telling to win profoundly and clearly taught me that nothing grabs our attention faster than the need to know what happens next?
Back at UCLA, I asked Dan Siegel to help me understand from his perspective as a neuroscientist why people are so enthralled by drama. Siegel pointed out that emotions don’t occur spontaneously. Nor, as any actor knows, can they be summoned at will. Emotions have to be aroused. “And arousal gets heightened,” Siegel said, “when you realize, I don’t know if the mountain lion’s still there; I don’t know if the spaceship is going to get back; I’m not sure he’s going to win the race. You have to have tension between expectation and uncertainty. Emotional tension drives you to think it might go this way, but it might go that way, and that makes you wonder, what will happen next?”
The more you wonder what will happen next, the more you pay attention. And the more attention you pay, the more you hear, notice, and retain.
One reason I was so helplessly enthralled as I watched Michael Jackson’s mouse and snake was that they were enacting a story of primal desire and dread. Somewhere deep in our DNA, we all have this story lurking because, at some stage of our evolution, if not in our more immediate existence, we lived this story. We were the weaker prey that hid trembling inside the cave from the saber-tooth lurking outside.
Of course, most business storytellers don’t need to set dramatic stakes as high as death or survival. But even business stories are told best if they trigger the conflict between dread and desire. Desire is a core human need which in business may translate as landing a job, motivating employees, keeping an account, impressing a boss, successfully launching a product, or securing a brand. The more we desire something, the greater our fear of not achieving it. And that emotional tension engages your audience because it makes them feel “what’s in it for them.”
Once you’ve got your hero, what gets the emotion moving? What holds us spellbound, begging for more? Michael Jackson taught me in no uncertain terms, the answer is drama.
Back in 1991, Jackson already was a force to be reckoned with. After renewing his contract with Sony for a record-setting $65 million, he released his eighth album, "Dangerous¸" with the singles “Black or White” and “Remember the Time,” both of which dominated the pop charts. As CEO of Sony Pictures, I’d sat in on the studio production of that album and was overwhelmed by Michael’s creative intensity and perfectionism.
His ambition knew no bounds. But when Sony’s most important musical asset invited me to his home in Encino to discuss his plans to get into movies and television, I was taken aback. Michael had proven he knew everything there was to know about pop music, but movies were a different animal. He wanted to produce as well as act. That meant telling stories. Could he do it?
I didn’t even have to ask the question. “In both films and music,” Michael said, “you have to know where the drama is and how to present it.” He gave me a long, intense stare and abruptly stood up. “Let me show you.”
He led me upstairs to the hallway outside his bedroom, where we stopped in front of a huge glass terrarium. “This,” he said, “is Muscles.”
Inside, a massive snake was coiled around a tree branch. His head was tracking something in the opposite corner of the terrarium.
Michael pointed with his finger at the object of Muscles’ obsession. A little white mouse was trying to hide behind a pile of wood shavings.
I said hopefully, “Are they friends?”
“Do they look it?”
“No. The mouse is trembling.”
Michael said, “We have to feed Muscles live mice, otherwise he won’t eat. Dead ones don’t get his attention.”
“So why doesn’t he just go ahead and eat it?”
He said, “Because he enjoys the game. First he uses fear to get the mouse’s attention, then he waits, building tension. Finally, when the mouse is so terrified it can’t move, Muscles will close in.”
That snake had the attention of that mouse, and that mouse had the attention of that snake -- and Michael Jackson had my attention.
“That’s drama,” he said.
“It sure is!” I said. “This story has everything -- stakes, suspense, power, death, good and evil, innocence and danger. I can’t stand it. And I can’t stop watching.”
“Exactly,” he said. “What’s going to happen next? Even if you know what it is, you don’t know how or when.”
“Maybe the mouse will escape.”
Michael let out one of his high, strange laughs. “Maybe.”
If I’d had the slightest doubt about Jackson’s command as a teller of stories, it evaporated that day. His telling to win profoundly and clearly taught me that nothing grabs our attention faster than the need to know what happens next?
Back at UCLA, I asked Dan Siegel to help me understand from his perspective as a neuroscientist why people are so enthralled by drama. Siegel pointed out that emotions don’t occur spontaneously. Nor, as any actor knows, can they be summoned at will. Emotions have to be aroused. “And arousal gets heightened,” Siegel said, “when you realize, I don’t know if the mountain lion’s still there; I don’t know if the spaceship is going to get back; I’m not sure he’s going to win the race. You have to have tension between expectation and uncertainty. Emotional tension drives you to think it might go this way, but it might go that way, and that makes you wonder, what will happen next?”
The more you wonder what will happen next, the more you pay attention. And the more attention you pay, the more you hear, notice, and retain.
One reason I was so helplessly enthralled as I watched Michael Jackson’s mouse and snake was that they were enacting a story of primal desire and dread. Somewhere deep in our DNA, we all have this story lurking because, at some stage of our evolution, if not in our more immediate existence, we lived this story. We were the weaker prey that hid trembling inside the cave from the saber-tooth lurking outside.
Of course, most business storytellers don’t need to set dramatic stakes as high as death or survival. But even business stories are told best if they trigger the conflict between dread and desire. Desire is a core human need which in business may translate as landing a job, motivating employees, keeping an account, impressing a boss, successfully launching a product, or securing a brand. The more we desire something, the greater our fear of not achieving it. And that emotional tension engages your audience because it makes them feel “what’s in it for them.”
Ne-Yo, a self-described M.J. fanatic, does a wonderful job being true to himself without turning this into a corny carbon copy. I can see Jackson’s influence. But there’s no crotch-grabbing plagiarism. The smooth mid-tempo cut is the third single from the singer/songwriter’s forthcoming album, Libra Scale. Check out the video to see if Ne-Yo’s charming ways, wizardry, and smooth steps actually win the girl over after the jump.
See the video here:link
Caroline was at the office.. checking some files when the door knocked..
Caroline:"Come in"
It was her boyfriend.. she used to love his visits..
Caroline:"Hi Bernard.. how are u sweety?"
She got up and gave him a kiss
Caroline:"I have some fresh pasta at home.. want to eat dinner with me tonight?"
Bernard:"Emm.. I'm sorry Caroline.. I have lots of work today.. i have to go to work.."
Caroline:"Oh I see... Then I'll eat it myself.."
Bernard:"Now i have to go.. I hope u liked the visit hun"
Caroline:"Yes I did.. Cu.. Bye"
Bernard went away.. Caroline sat on her chair thinking. He never worked at night.. She was suspicious.. She didn't believe him.. What was she going to do?
Caroline:"Come in"
It was her boyfriend.. she used to love his visits..
Caroline:"Hi Bernard.. how are u sweety?"
She got up and gave him a kiss
Caroline:"I have some fresh pasta at home.. want to eat dinner with me tonight?"
Bernard:"Emm.. I'm sorry Caroline.. I have lots of work today.. i have to go to work.."
Caroline:"Oh I see... Then I'll eat it myself.."
Bernard:"Now i have to go.. I hope u liked the visit hun"
Caroline:"Yes I did.. Cu.. Bye"
Bernard went away.. Caroline sat on her chair thinking. He never worked at night.. She was suspicious.. She didn't believe him.. What was she going to do?
Katherine Jackson says she vividly remembers the first time she knew MJ would be a superstar -- and it all harkens back to the time baby Michael danced to the rhythm of an old washing machine.
According to Mama Jackson, the King of Pop-in-a-diaper danced to the rhythm of the family's old Maytag washing machine with "perfect timing" -- and she knew right then and there that her son was destined for greatness.
The video is all part of a longer interview from the website selling Katherine's book -- and we're told you can expect to see the whole thing in a big documentary about MJ's life.
According to Mama Jackson, the King of Pop-in-a-diaper danced to the rhythm of the family's old Maytag washing machine with "perfect timing" -- and she knew right then and there that her son was destined for greatness.
The video is all part of a longer interview from the website selling Katherine's book -- and we're told you can expect to see the whole thing in a big documentary about MJ's life.
I read in a magazine that Michaels's coffin was open and his body was gone. Do you think that this means he rose up and is coming into this world? Or did someone take his body all for his/her own selfish goods? It all remains a mystery. Do you have what it takes to solve it? It all happened so soon... Died at fifty, somebody took Michael out of his expensive coffin, and now his pale, dead body is gone. No one knows where the person is keeping it. It could be you!!! If it is, you know you'll be caught, no doubt. So, I suggest that you 'fess up. It's all fact. I told a few people and they freaked out.
Write More Gossip, (but all true)
GossipQueen
Write More Gossip, (but all true)
GossipQueen
The first shipment of Katherine Jackson's coffee table book about Michael Jackson isn't exactly flying off the shelves in Gary, Indiana. In fact the books never even made it to the shelves, because they were stolen.
A rep from the publisher, Vintage Pop, tells TMZ they FedEx'd seven boxes of "Never Can Say Goodbye" to the home of a Jackson family friend in Gary ... and they were supposed to end up for sale at the new MJ monument. But someone absolutely, positively wanted them so badly, they stole them right off the front steps of the house where they were left.
A rep from the publisher, Vintage Pop, tells TMZ they FedEx'd seven boxes of "Never Can Say Goodbye" to the home of a Jackson family friend in Gary ... and they were supposed to end up for sale at the new MJ monument. But someone absolutely, positively wanted them so badly, they stole them right off the front steps of the house where they were left.
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
[ Find more Lyrics on link ]
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
link
There'll Be No Darkness Tonight
Lady Our Love Will Shine
Just Put Your Trust In My Heart
And Meet Me In Paradise, Girl
You're Every Wonder In This World To Me
A Treasure Time Won't Steal Away
[Chorus]
So Listen To My Heart
Lay Your Body Close To Mine
Let Me Fill You With My Dreams
I Can Make You Feel Alright
And Baby Through The Years
Gonna Love You More Each Day
So I Promise You Tonight
That You'll Always Be The Lady In My Life
[Bridge]
Lay Back In My Tenderness
Let's Make This A Night We Won't Forget
Girl, I Need Your Sweet Caress
Reach Out To A Fantasy
Two Hearts In The Beat Of Ecstasy
Come To Me, Girl
[Chorus]
And I Will Keep You Warm
Through The Shadows Of The Night
Let Me Touch You With My Love
I Can Make You Feel So Right
And Baby Through The Years
Even When We're Old And Gray
I Will Love You More Each Day
'Cause You Will Always Be The Lady In My Life
Stay With Me
I Want You To Stay With Me...
link
"It was very pretty, anyway, and it should not have any surgery, but plastic are obsessed. This was pushed and I had understood that after some time. And after the second surgery in the nose had to be stopped, but people like the perfect "has the Gest.
"Michael had undergone multiple plastic surgeries and implants in the jaw and nose but had tattooed lips, lashes and on her head to improve its appearance.
David threw responsibilities to doctors, who surrounded the King of pop: «I am not surprised that was addicted to pills, I wish he had better people around him ....