Choreographer and "This Is It" associate producer Travis Payne had a nearly 20-year relationship with Michael Jackson before his friend and mentor died suddently on June 25. Payne talked to ESSENCE.com about the importance of this film, his final moments with Michael Jackson and why the King of Pop's message and legacy must live on.

ESSENCE.COM: You and Michael have a history that predates the "This Is It" tour. When did you two connect?
TRAVIS PAYNE: I was fortunate to meet him. When I was about 5 years old his music and dancing inspired me to be a dancer. In 1990, I was 19 and joined Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" tour, and in 1992 I was one of the dancers for his "Remember the Time" music video. After that I joined his "Dangerous" and "History" tours and eventually became his choreography partner. I was always watching his videos and I just knew that was the energy I wanted to be around so I'm grateful for all the moments we shared and to have had the opportunity to have learned so much from him.

ESSENCE.COM: As his choreographer and associate producer of the film, what can we expect?
PAYNE: What we did is take the structure of the live show. It's all of Michael's great ideas and the last part of the creative process. He always felt like everything he did was greater than him and channeling from a higher power and he was simply a vessel. He also wanted to surprise his children because they'd never seen hi perform like this before and they were really excited that they'd be spending the summer in London with their dad.

ESSENCE.COM: Some of MJ's loyalists believe that he was too much of a perfectionist and wouldn't want his unfinished work released. Do you agree?
PAYNE: Michael always documented his process so he would be able to compare what he did during one rehearsal to the next. He called it healthy competition and would always try to top it. This time it was more important and heavier for him because it was not just about this being his last huge production. He felt it was the right time to remind the planet that we have a lot of work to do. He wasn't returning to the stage for adulation. His main objective was to bring a new awareness of our responsibility to the planet and each other with a great entertainment value

ESSENCE.COM: When was the last time you saw Michael?
PAYNE: Michael and I usually started the day together at his house one-on-one reviewing what we did the previous night. I saw him hours before he passed because we'd just finished rehearsals at the Staples Center and we had a beautiful night. We were waiting for a few technical elements, but the show was done. It was a real sense of accomplishment, and he was grinning from ear to ear and you could feel it throughout the team.

ESSENCE.COM: Where were you when you received the news of Michael's passing?
PAYNE: At the Staples Center with the cast and crew. Kenny [Ortega] and I were together working and anticipating his arrival. Then Kenny got the call from the AEG executives telling us that he had indeed passed and everything came to a screeching halt. The tears and the wailing from everyone started. People were just trying to deal with it in their own way. It was quite tragic and something that I'll never forget. I remember telling everyone that we have to keep going and repurpose our efforts to deliver his message to the world.

ESSENCE.COM: Was there ever any indication that we might lose him?
PAYNE: We were all insomniacs. If you work in the entertainment business it's something you develop from working late nights. Me, Kenny Ortega and Michael began our serious work most of the times from 3 to 5 a.m. in the morning, because that's when we're able to just talk without any phones ringing. But, no, there was no indication that we would lose him. Everyone knew he suffered with insomnia. When you work hard like Michael you're thinking is, would you rather sleep or get closer to the goals. We always made sure he had plenty of nourishment and he loved to eat. We scheduled our breaks and days off because he was preparing for 50 shows and he had done more than that when we were on the "History" tour, so, again, there was no indication.

ESSENCE.COM: Besides sharing his mission did he talk about what he hoped to offer his fans?
PAYNE: (Laughs.) I remember Michael saying, "I want to disrupt their sleep at night! When people leave here I want them to think about what they can do to affect change in this world. We can't be playing around no more. I'm not playing with these people; we've got to get it together!" He was fiercely loyal to his fans and made sure that he asked them what he wanted. He set up a Web site before we began coming up with the concert set that asked fans what songs they wanted him to perform. Then he brought that very detailed lists with tallies next to each song and said these are the songs we have to do, and from that list we came up with the show. That's just the man he was. He also cared so deeply about people he never knew or met. He'd come into rehearsal and tell us different news stories he'd read about around and outside the country like, "Did you hear about that baby that was left in Chicago?" He wanted to adopt every hungry and homeless child because he felt like if he didn't take the time with them who would? I hope when people see the film they will get Michael's message and leave the theater ready to affect change.

"This Is It" opens nationwide in theaters on Wednesday, October 28.