Michael Jackson hologram on the Billboard Awards show last night

[prberk]

So what did you all think about the Michael Jackson hologram of him dancing and singing to "perform" his "new" song on the Billboard awards last night? On the Today show this morning they were asking people whether is was "cool" or "creepy". I saw it, and thought maybe it was perhaps some mixture of both. So, I thought I would ask everyone here.

It was clearly his familar style; and the technology was amazing. But is it one of those things that makes you wonder whether it should be done or not, with a real person as opposed to an animated character that never "lived" to begin with? Who should control the rights? Would they have wanted it that way?

Clearly this was done with famiily's participation. So that much was clear. And is it any different than, say, Abraham Lincoln standing up from his chair in an audioanimatronic figure and giving a "new" speech made up of known Lincoln speeches? Technology bringing the dead to "life" in a show...

Where is the line, or is there one? Should the technology matter? Should it matter how lifelike it seems? (The Hall of Presidents seems lifelike to many.) What about the context? What about those old celebrity cameos in commercials or even, say, "Forest Gump"?

And what about the show or song itself? Was it good? Should a dead person be brought back to "life" on an awards show with "new" material?

Hmmm. Just wondering. Food for thought.

 

[MrDee]

Nice food for thought. Thanks for posting this topic. I could imagine, now that the technology has gotten to this level, that some celebrities might even record stuff now that could be used later after they're gone. And yes, there is a creepiness factor, but I still think it's pretty cool.

 

[prberk]

Nice food for thought. Thanks for posting this topic. I could imagine, now that the technology has gotten to this level, that some celebrities might even record stuff now that could be used later after they're gone. And yes, there is a creepiness factor, but I still think it's pretty cool.

I think that is where a lot of people are with this. But what if someone uses the technology to have the dead celebrity do or say things that they would never have done? It opens up a Pandora's box, I think.

I am surprised, in a way, that this topic has fallen flat here, with very few responses. That may say something, too. Have we gotten to the point that, even among Disney fans (audio-animatronics-geeks among us) this topic is not even thought-provoking to most? Hmmm.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I guess this is not big news to theme park fans because it is not all that new. It is not really a hologram, but a projection on glass. Its related to how the ghosts at The Haunted Mansion work. The specific technique is in use at Disaster! and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at the Universal Orlando Resort, and I think possibly even at The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.

 

[MrDee]

I suppose too, that it could be used for nefarious purposes as well. Especially if they can ever get it to the actual 3 dimensional level.

 

[Nemo14]

I didn't see the MJ thing at all, but I saw a hologram or whatever of Dolly Parton last December in the Christmas Carol performance at Dollywood. It was really neat and a great way to incorporate her into the story (as a ghost).

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I think that is where a lot of people are with this. But what if someone uses the technology to have the dead celebrity do or say things that they would never have done? It opens up a Pandora's box, I think.

I am surprised, in a way, that this topic has fallen flat here, with very few responses. That may say something, too. Have we gotten to the point that, even among Disney fans (audio-animatronics-geeks among us) this topic is not even thought-provoking to most? Hmmm.

I think the topic has fallen flat because MJ wasn't the first hologram done. He's just another in line after Tupac's two years ago.

 

[prberk]

I guess this is not big news to theme park fans because it is not all that new. It is not really a hologram, but a projection on glass. Its related to how the ghosts at The Haunted Mansion work. The specific technique is in use at Disaster! and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at the Universal Orlando Resort, and I think possibly even at The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Hmm. I wonder if any of his image was actually film of him dancing to another song. Or was it completely digital animation from the ground up? That was creepy close if it were. When they did a closeup of his face it looked a little computerized, but not most of the time.

 

[MinnieM123]

I was on vacation at WDW the night this aired, so I didn't see it. Yet my gut reaction (regardless of whether the image is of MJ or another famous, deceased person) is one of uneasiness. Once a person has passed away, it's fine to show old tv or movie clips, or listen to musical recordings from that person's past. I guess for me, the thought of computer imagery showing his likeness performing a "new" song is uncomfortable to watch. I prefer to let his spirit rest in peace.

 

[prberk]

I was on vacation at WDW the night this aired, so I didn't see it. Yet my gut reaction (regardless of whether the image is of MJ or another famous, deceased person) is one of uneasiness. Once a person has passed away, it's fine to show old tv or movie clips, or listen to musical recordings from that person's past. I guess for me, the thought of computer imagery showing his likeness performing a "new" song is uncomfortable to watch. I prefer to let his spirit rest in peace.

You know, in some ways that is my gut reaction, too; but when I then think about "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" or the AAs in "The American Adventure," I am curious. Perhaps they seem fine because, although not always literal, they are representing that person in historical context, as opposed to a "new" song, taking the deceased person in a new direction. Another factor to be considered might be the photorealism of it all, in comparison to, say, something like an actor representing an historical figure in a play. Again, for me, this is just food for thought. The discussion really is about ethics, I think. And it does present a grey area.

 

[Bairstow]

I think the interaction between the projection and live performers in Disaster! is the most impressive use of Musion Eyeliners so far, but I really like this performance: