“MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.
This is where his story begins...”—Lionsgate

Award-winning and multiple Emmy-nominated Set Decorator Amy Wells SDSA...including for MAD Men and recent hits BIG LITTLE LIES, THE MORNING SHOW and PRESUMED INNOCENT, as well as an impressive list of films such as INHERENT VICE...shares insider notes about the making of this depiction of Michael’s early life and career.

Jackson family home, Encino, California...
“The original Encino House is still standing and intact much in the same way as it was when Michael and the family lived there. It was incredible to be able to use the original structure for so many of the scenes. We did have to bring it back to its original condition, because it had been sitting empty for many years. Working with Production Designer Barbara Ling and her Art Department, we wallpapered and painted, and installed new carpeting. I found some of the furniture and original drapes for the parents’ bedroom in the garage! This was a thrill—how much more authentic could we get?!!”

Earlier Jackson family home, Gary, Indiana...
“Our researcher, Lance Malbon, worked really hard to find images of the Jackson’s Gary, Indiana home. Visual sources were scant, so  we had to rely on photo backgrounds, together with verbal descriptions and memories provided by the family, to get a sense of what it looked like. I knew that this particular set had to feel real and believable as well as illustrate the contrast between life in Gary and the move to L.A.”

Jackson home, Living room. This set and the entire Gary home was a build on stage. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“Many of the key pieces in the foreground, such as the Early American maple rocker, and the over-stuffed chair were from Omega Cinema Props. I also purchased some of the smalls. The original house was a tiny 2 bedroom/1 bath house. Imagine 9 kids and their parents in such a small space. The boys had their own room and the girls slept on a fold out couch in the living room almost exact to the one that we used.”

The boys’ bedroom with triple bunks. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“The Jackson boys slept in one room with triple bunk beds. We had to special order them. The rest of the furniture and lighting were rented from Omega Cinema Props, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios Property.”

Jackson family home, kitchen. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“I love doing period kitchens. In real life there were too many family members to fit around the table. They  would spend their meals around the table and sitting on the counters so they could all be together at a meal. I relied on History for Hire for all of the period product:  cans, bottles, boxes of cereal, etc. Gay Perello, our Prop Master, and I worked closely together to have the correct dishes, glasses and cutlery for the scene. We both agreed that period Melamine was the way to go – it made the most sense for a family of that size and socio-economic  standing.”

The bathroom. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“There was one bathroom for the entire family. We found the period correct medicine cabinet on Ebay. The bathroom fixtures were all from Studio Plumbing. It was a fun set to put together. I loved the green tile!”

Motown Recording Studio...

Motown Recording Studio set. Director Antoine Fuqua and Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“We shot this scene at the United Recording Studios in Hollywood standing in for the Motown Recording Studio.  Much of the interior was original and period correct for 1969,  we just needed to move out the modern elements. Props procured the correct instruments from History for Hire and purchased others. Gay Perello and her team worked very closely with H4H  for all of the recording and arena scenes.”

County Fair...

Imagine a huge empty field...and then...! Photos courtesy of Lionsgate. All rights reserved.

“This was a big set!!! Thank goodness for Winnie and her friends at LA Circus and Joe Guadagno from G&S shows. Thankfully they had period correct (1970) rides and games.  The set was extensive – it was like being at a real country fair.”

The County Fair stage and its surroundings. “The Art Department built the stage, and our Draper, Ernie Felix, created and installed the canopy over it.” Center: The Jackson Five perform to a full crowd. Photos courtesy of Lionsgate. All rights reserved.

Yetnikoff’s Office...
“Yetnikoff’s Office was a build on stage. As president of CBS Records International, his actual office was in the Black Rock Building on 52nd Street in Manhattan, where CBS was located. Researcher Lance Malbon was able to find some good photos of the lobby and outer offices which were very similar to the sets we did for Sterling Cooper’s office in MAD MEN, including: Knoll sofas, Saarinen chairs, Steelcase desks, floor-to-ceiling drapes inset into the ceiling, etc.”

Yetnikoff’s Office. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“I keyed off the style of the other offices to create the look of Yetnikoff’s personal office.  We chose premium period audio equipment and created a wall of gold and platinum records of CBS artists.”

Yetnikoff’s Office, reverse. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“Most of the furniture was sourced at Gilroy Props and Omega Cinema Props. The art was from a variety of places including Hollywood Studio Gallery.”

Yetnikoff’s Office, the view from his desk. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable set to put together. I loved incorporating familiar elements from earlier in my career – it was like revisiting old friends.”

‘Victory’ arena tour...

“Victory” arena tour. Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“From the very beginning of prep, I was obsessed with finding the original striped grand piano in one of the warehouses that held Michael’s memorabilia, art, furniture etc. Alas, only the faceted mirror base was discovered. We had to buy a used grand piano, and paint it. We then took off the legs and mounted the piano to the original mirrored base.”

“Victory” arena tour. Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson. Photo by Glen Wilson ©2026 Lionsgate.

“The enormous speakers were created out of foam to our specs – they took up a ton of real estate in the set.”

Editor’s note: For photos of the huge speakers Amy mentions, click on the SEE MORE PHOTOS button below. And you will find a couple more BONUS photos. Thank you, Amy, for sharing all of these behind-the-scenes details!