Title: The King in Rehearsal: Unpacking the Hidden Gold of 'This Is It – Extras 1'
When This Is It hit theaters in October 2009, it was both a eulogy and a miracle—a chance to see Michael Jackson, just days before his sudden passing, running through the full-scale production that was meant to conquer London. But for the true devotees, the main film was only half the story. The real treasure lies buried in the home release's supplementary material, specifically the section labeled "Extras 1."
These aren't just deleted scenes. They are a raw, unvarnished masterclass.
The Tension of Perfection
The first thing that strikes you in Extras 1 is Michael's voice. Not the polished studio whisper or the explosive live belt, but the working voice. In a grainy rehearsal clip for "The Way You Make Me Feel," he stops the band mid-crescendo. "No... slower," he says, tapping his chest. "It has to breathe." The band adjusts. He closes his eyes, nods once, and then unleashes a pelvic roll so sharp it feels like a secret. This is Michael the Director—meticulous, soft-spoken, but absolute.
The Unseen Choreography
We get extended, multi-angle footage of "Smooth Criminal." In the film, we see the finished illusion: the lean, the fedora, the gangster sway. In Extras 1, we see Michael teaching two new dancers the intention behind a single finger snap. "It's not about the hit," he whispers. "It's about the anticipation." He demonstrates the same eight-count of movement five times, each iteration subtly different—more wrist, less shoulder, a tilt of the head that implies danger. The dancers are exhausted. He is glowing.
Human Moments
Sandwiched between these thunderous rehearsals are tiny, devastating human beats. There’s a 30-second clip of Michael warming up his voice backstage, scat-singing a melody that doesn't belong to any known song—pure improvisation, pure soul. Another moment shows him sharing a quiet laugh with musical director Michael Bearden after a flubbed keyboard cue. He covers his mouth when he laughs, like a shy child. For one breath, he isn't the King of Pop. He's just Mike.
The Weight of "What If"
The final segment of Extras 1 is the hardest to watch: a full, uninterrupted run of "Earth Song" from a soundcheck at the Staples Center. No CGI forests, no bulldozer on stage. Just Michael in a maroon button-down and slacks, reaching for the rafters. The backing track drops out for 15 seconds, and he keeps singing—a cappella, raw, ferocious. When he finishes, the small crew of electricians and camera ops erupts into applause. Michael looks almost surprised, then bows deeply.
Why It Matters
This Is It – Extras 1 isn't about what was lost. It's about what was present until the very end: an artist who still believed that every single "hee-hee" and every single toe-stand mattered. These extras strip away the spectacle to show the scaffolding—the sweat, the counting, the joy, and the relentless, aching love of craft.
You don't watch Extras 1 to mourn. You watch it to remember that greatness doesn't just happen. It rehearses.
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This guide covers the bonus features found on Disc 1 (or the primary single-disc release) of the 2009 documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It. These extras provide a deeper look at the technical rehearsals and the creative team behind the residency. 💿 Core Featurettes Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins Focus: The initial planning phases of the O2 residency.
Key Insight: Interviews with director Kenny Ortega and AEG Live executives. michael jacksons this is it 2009 extras 1
Highlights: Shows the transition from Michael's "retirement" to the ambitious "This Is It" concept. Staging the Return: Beyond the Show Focus: The high-tech production elements.
Key Insight: Details the LED screens (the largest ever used at the time) and the "Lightman" suit.
Highlights: Footage of Michael interacting with the pyrotechnics and stage illusions. The Gloved One: Costumes Focus: The wardrobe designed by Zaldy.
Key Insight: Modernizing Michael’s iconic looks with Swarovski crystals and LED technology.
Highlights: A close-up look at the "Billie Jean" jacket and the "Thriller" redesign. Memories of Michael Focus: Personal tributes from the crew. Key Insight: Filmed shortly after Jackson’s passing.
Highlights: Emotional reflections on his work ethic and kindness during the final weeks of rehearsal. 🕺 Audition & Talent Features Auditions: Searching for the World’s Best Dancers Focus: The grueling selection process.
Key Insight: Over 5,000 dancers auditioned for only 12 spots.
Highlights: Michael personally watching the final callbacks and selecting the "chosen" few. Meet the Dancers Focus: Profiles of the 11 men and 1 woman selected.
Key Insight: Shows their backgrounds and what Michael Jackson meant to their careers. 🎬 Technical Extras The "Smooth Criminal" Vignette Focus: The "Mini-Movie" filmed for the concert.
Key Insight: Michael was digitally inserted into classic 1940s noir films like Gilda.
Highlights: Comparison between the green screen footage and the finished 3D effect. The "Thriller" Vignette Focus: The updated graveyard sequence.
Key Insight: Filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles to be projected in 3D. 💡 Viewer Tips
Audio Settings: Check the "Audio" menu; most releases include a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which is significantly better than the standard DVD mix.
Photo Gallery: Includes rare production stills and sketches of the stage design not seen in the film. To help you get the most out of this,
Unveiling the Magic: A Deep Dive into Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009) Extras
When Michael Jackson’s This Is It hit theaters in October 2009, it offered a bittersweet glimpse into what would have been the greatest concert residency in history. While the main feature captured the King of Pop’s perfectionism and vision, the Michael Jackson’s This Is It 2009 extras (specifically those found on Disc 1 of the special editions) provide the essential context that transforms the film from a concert documentary into a masterclass in artistry. Title: The King in Rehearsal: Unpacking the Hidden
For fans and students of pop culture, these bonus features are more than just "deleted scenes"—they are the blueprints of a genius. The Foundation of a Final Vision
The first set of extras focuses on the monumental task of building the O2 Arena show from scratch. Unlike previous world tours, This Is It was designed to be a permanent, high-tech spectacle.
Staging the Return: In these clips, we see director Kenny Ortega and Jackson collaborating on the "Light Man" sequence. The extras detail the technical hurdles of integrating 3D CGI with live performance, a feat that was ahead of its time in 2009.
The Auditions: One of the most emotional segments in the extras is "Searching for the World’s Best Dancers." Out of over 5,000 applicants, only a handful were chosen. The footage captures the raw energy of dancers realizing they are about to perform with their idol, and Jackson’s gentle but firm guidance during their first rehearsals. The Musical Genius at Work
While the movie highlights the hits, the extras dive into the arrangements. Michael was famous for wanting the live performance to sound "just like the record," but with a "heavier" edge for the stadium setting.
The Sound: Features show Michael working with musical director Michael Bearden. You see MJ’s beatboxing—using his voice as a percussion instrument to explain exactly how he wants a bassline or a synth hit to feel.
The Band: The extras give much-needed spotlight to the musicians, including the legendary Orianthi on lead guitar. Watching Michael push her to hit the "Beat It" solo with more aggression is a standout moment for any music gearhead. Why the "Extras" Matter
The term "Michael Jackson’s This Is It 2009 extras 1" often refers to the core behind-the-scenes documentaries like Staging the Return and The Choreography. These aren't just filler; they humanize a global icon.
We see Michael in his "work clothes"—often just a blazer and sequined pants—marking out dance steps with the same precision at 50 that he had at 25. The extras strip away the tabloid noise of 2009 and refocus the narrative on his unparalleled work ethic. Legacy of the Footage
Ultimately, these bonus features serve as a historical record. They prove that despite the physical toll of his career, Jackson’s creative mind was sharper than ever. He wasn't just a performer; he was the primary architect of every frame, every lighting cue, and every snare hit.
For those revisiting the 2009 release, these extras remain the definitive look at the final curtain call of the greatest entertainer to ever grace the stage.
Given the niche specificity of this keyword (which likely refers to the bonus disc or specific feature listed on DVD/Blu-ray menus from the 2009/2010 releases), this article will serve as a comprehensive guide, review, and historical analysis of that exact content.
Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) is a tragedy. "Extras 1" is the redemption. By watching the supplementary material—the costume chats, the extended "The Way You Make Me Feel," the grief-stricken dancers—you stop seeing Michael Jackson as a tabloid headline or a ghost.
In Extras 1, he is a working artist. He is tired. He is brilliant. He is demanding. He is kind.
For the casual viewer, the main film is sufficient. But for the historian, the musician, or the true fan, "Michael Jackson's This Is It 2009 Extras 1" is the required text. It is the last time we saw the King of Pop in his natural habitat: the rehearsal hall, perfecting the magic.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 - Essential historical document) Conclusion: The Essential Appendix Michael Jackson's This Is
Keywords used: Michael Jackson's This Is It 2009 Extras 1, This Is It DVD extras, MJ rehearsal footage, Kenny Ortega, Staples Center, Human Nature extended cut.
Based on the standard Blu-ray/DVD release of Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009), the content for Extras Disc 1 (or the primary Special Features section) typically includes the following featurettes and bonuses.
These extras focus on the production of the concert series, the creative process, and the specific technical elements that went into the planned shows.
One of the most viral moments within Extras 1 is the extended rehearsal for Human Nature. In the theatrical version, we see Michael finish the song gracefully. In the extras, we see the lead-up.
Michael stops the band mid-chord. The music is too fast. He doesn't yell; he whispers. "No... it’s dragging... but it’s rushing? We need the lilt." He then scats the rhythm to pianist Michael Bearden, conducting the silence between the notes. Watching "Extras 1," you realize Jackson wasn't just singing the song; he was sculpting the air. He apologizes to the crew—"God bless you, forgive me"—before running the segment six more times. It is a portrait of kindness under pressure.
This Is It (2009) is a documentary–concert film compiled from rehearsal footage and behind-the-scenes material shot during Michael Jackson’s preparations for his planned 2009–2010 comeback concert residency, also titled This Is It. The film presents Jackson as a meticulous performer and creative director, revealing both the scope of the production and the artist’s exacting standards. “Extras 1” typically refers to supplemental material produced for home-video releases (DVD/Blu-ray) that expands on rehearsal footage, interviews, and production features; this write-up focuses on the content, themes, production context, and significance of those additional features.
On the two-disc "Deluxe Edition" (and the single-disc "Ultimate Fan Edition" internationally), the extras are usually split into two or three sections. "Extras 1" is the primary vault. It is not a single scene, but a curated playlist of supplementary material that runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Crucially, "Extras 1" is distinct from "Extras 2" (which usually contains The Unfinished Rehearsals montage or the "Smooth Criminal" making-of). Extras 1 is the goldmine. It contains:
Perhaps the most sought-after clip in Extras 1 is the Dance Rehearsal for "Smooth Criminal." Here, the audio track is removed. There is no singing. There is no band. There is only the squeak of loafers on a polished stage and the metronome.
We see Michael Jackson counting. We see him teaching Kenny Ortega the angle of the lean. He wears his soft grey trousers and a V-neck sweater, looking more like a university professor than a pop star. He drills the backup dancers on the "anti-gravity lean" by showing them how to tense their calves. This segment strips away the iconography and leaves you with the athlete—the man who knew exactly how many millimeters his heel needed to slide to catch the beat.
When the documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It premiered in October 2009, it was marketed as a final rehearsal film—a raw, unfiltered look at what would have been the greatest concert series never staged. But for the true devotees, the theatrical release was only the beginning. The treasure trove that fans have come to refer to as “Extras 1” (the first disc of bonus features from the Collector’s Edition DVD and Blu-ray) is where the real soul of the project lives.
Far from just discarded footage, Extras 1 is a masterclass in vulnerability, perfectionism, and the architectural genius of Michael Jackson. Here is a deep dive into why this specific collection of bonus material remains essential viewing 15 years later.
The final segment of Extras 1 is usually the hardest for fans to watch. It is the last recorded rehearsal for Heal the World, shot two nights before his death.
In the theatrical cut, Michael looks strong. In the extras, the camera lingers on the moments between takes. He is thin. He is shivering in the cold arena. A production assistant brings him a heater. He asks for the lights to be dimmed because his eyes hurt. Yet, when director Kenny Ortega suggests they "save his voice" and just lip-sync the run-through, Michael refuses. "No, Kenny. The kids need to hear it real."
He then proceeds to sing Heal the World with a ferocity that seems to come from a man trying to save his own life. His eyes are closed. He holds the last note for sixteen seconds. When he opens his eyes, he sees the crew crying. He smiles and says, "That’s it. That’s the one."