How does Michael do the 45-degree lean in “Smooth Criminal”?
It was observed on videotape of the Bucharest concert that when he performed the song on the Dangerous Tour, little metal hooks popped up through the stage, and the dancers anchored their heels onto these studs to allow them to complete the maneuver. In order to distract the audience’s attention from what they were doing, another dancer came on stage with a bomb. How the move was accomplished for the video clip is unknown. What is the meaning of the section about 3/4 of the way through the long-form video of “Smooth Criminal” where the music stops, and MJ and the other dancers are making groaning and screaming noises as the music builds up to the chorus? A video clip from behind the scenes during the making of “Smooth Criminal” shows Michael talking to the director on the set about the “groaning” scene. He explains that he wants the feeling to build and build until everyone’s voice reaches a climax. He says, “It’s gotta have that feeling, gotta have that emotion.” He shows the director
