Check out my recount from yesterday’s Los Angeles premiere of Disney’s HSM3: Senior Year inside.

*Update: For a new Movie Surfers video and exclusive bts pics, keep checking the HSM3 News and Updates Page

*Update 2: All 10 Moviefone “Unscripted” videos, including the full video are provided on the News/Updates page.

Morning:

9:55am- Kim texts me an we co-ordinate over the phone what time we should go. Agreeing that we’d rather be there earlier than later, we set a tentative 1:30-2pm ish arrival time.

Afternoon:

1:45pm- I meet Kim (who is just as sweet in person as she is here on the blog), her daughter Taylor (look for her name in lights someday!), and son Skyler (although quiet, he likes Ashley-nuff’ said) downtown and we head to the Galen Center.

Pre-Red Carpet Arrivals:

2:15pm- We park in the designated garage and scope out the red carpet (!) and find a spot in the shade amongst other fans waiting for the premiere to start.

The four of us chat, and I ask Kim and Taylor about their experience of being extras and filming HSM3. Some time later, I feel a tap on my shoulder- and ZA Brianna (thumbnail below in the white/black) introduces herself! We met up later in the lobby.

3ish- I’ve met them once before at the Teen Choice awards, but I spot YouTube’s infamous Street Rat Productions crew and have to go over and say hello and get a photo with the hilarious gang!

3:30ish- Barricades go up, security starts to get a little pushy and everyone is rounded up and told to move across the street from the venue for final set-up to begin. Luckily, Kim, Taylor, Skyler, and myself had asked a guard if we could sit quietly on the steps, in the shade, and watch the arrivals. He agrees and we’re so thankful because the small crowd soon turned into a massive throng of awaiting fans.

Arrivals:

Principle dancers begin to arrive including choreographer Bonnie Story, her daughter Bayli, and Mollee among other various groovesters in the film. They pose for photos, conduct several interviews and make their way onto the red carpet to film a dance sequence for Disney Channel’s ”Movie Surfers”.

5:30pm- They open the Will-Call line and all contest winners/ticket holders get their laminated guest passes and walk inside via the red carpet.

Highlights:

• Noticing how no matter the occasion, fans who have waited in line will pounce if their territorial claim is intruded.
• MEETING STEVEN COJOCARU! (He complimented my skirt and bag. That pretty much had me on Cloud 9.)

Inside the Galen Center:

We scope out the decorated lobby, grabbed snacks, drinks, and figured we should go inside to get our seats and wait for the show to begin. I was texting Kylie updates and have to show her the “random but true” HSM souvenier bucket:

While waiting at the elevators, fellow ZA’s/Just Jared visitors Zac Fan (Melanie) Narf (Fran), Karen, and Robin say hello. We share hugs and express how nice it is to finally meet and start putting names to faces. (We later enjoyed dinner together at Jerry’s Famous Diner after the premiere.)

Pre-screening highlights:

• “More! Don’t stop!”- Taylor’s (sarcastic) reaction to the USC band/cheerleaders performance.
• “No! Why are you still playing?!”- Taylor’s real reaction to the USC band/cheerleaders performance when the live feed of Zac walking the red carpet began to play.
• Meeting the British twin cheerleaders from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (they sat behind us).
• Meeting Alyson Stoner from Camp Rock/Cheaper By The Dozen fame and chatting about fashion.
• Complimenting Camp Rock’s Meaghan Martin on her Betsey Johnson frock.
• Getting my camera inside without drama. (NOTE: Do not follow by my example. Rules are good… they just weren’t working for me this particular evening.)

Showtime:

Announcements are made by a Disney Chairman (I think?) and then Peter is introduced followed by Kenny (the 4 of us stood up and clapped for him). The jubilant director takes to the mic and we prepare for the arrival of the HSM3 cast. First the “newbies” were introduced- Jemma, Matt, and Justin. Next were our familiar Wildcat side-kicks; Chris, Ryne, Kaycee , and Olesya. Then the five (Lucas, you were sorely missed) main stars were called out. Monique (Fierce doesn’t begin to describe her gown. Work it out Mo-mo!), Corbin, Ashley (I hadn’t seen her during arrivals, registered the Grecian gown and without thought was on my feet), Vanessa (more of the crowd arose and a lot of yelling ensued at this point), and Zac (he brought the house down) were all on the Wildcat-themed court beaming, looking put together, mature, and ready to present to us the final result of their last several months of tireless hard work.

The Film (No spoilers! I meant it when I said it’s not fair to take away a fan’s right to watch this film spoiler-free:

• Taking the movie off Disney Channel and putting it on the big screen made way for grandeur that can’t be captivated on television.
• The costumes are rich, vibrant, and express the character’s persona much better. I want most of Sharpay’s shoes and bags, several of Gabriella’s dresses, Troy’s white/red t-shirt (since from the looks of it, the poor garment is a bit snug in the arms), and some of Taylor’s cardigans.
• Zac communicates full dialogue solely through his eyes and facial expressions.
• The on-screen chemistry amongst the duos; Troy/Gabriella, Sharpay/Ryan, and Chad/Taylor are spot-on. This is the strongest conveyance of emotion you’ve seen them deliver.
• Be prepared that certain songs and dialogue have been slightly edited for the final version. The online previews and television commercials have many scenes that are synced differently, clock in at different times, re-worded, or altogether not present in the film.
• “Scream”, “The Boys Are Back”, and “I Want It All” thrilled, electrified, and dazzled me. I was utterly blown away.
• Cast members voices are stronger.
• These actors brought their A-game, got in the zone, and put their best foot forward with the choreography. The footsteps are intricate, extremely physically demanding, and the energy is on high from start to finish.
• “Can I Have This Dance” showcases some amazing moves by Vanessa.
• Although he came into rehearsals late, Zac by far is the most improved dancer. I found myself grinning and even exclaimed ‘No he didn’t!’ during a particularly old-school hip hop dance move he executes with ease during “The Boys Are Back”. Simply put, the boy can dance.
• If you thought Sharpay was a diva in HSM2 wait until you see her now. It’s on.
• Troy is the best boyfriend ever.
• The talent, love, respect, admiration, loyalty, trust, and genuine friendship amongst the cast and crew is the glue that holds this movie (and the 2 prior) together.

I’ll stop there, but I am so excited for all of you to watch this film. To quote Miss Evans, “bigger is better” in this instance where Disney decided to take the HSM franchise to the big screen.

After the Screening:

• The cast/crew  filed onto the court once more, Kenny thanked us for participating and confetti was released.
• Downstairs many of the principle dancers mingled with fans. I have to disclose a funny conversation I had with Bayli:

The first photo was with Bayli, me, Brianna, and her friend. I wanted a pic of just the two of us and asked;

Me: “Can I have a photo of just you and I?”

Bayli: No.

Me: You diva.

(We were both just kidding, but she is so sweet!)

• I met Movie Surfer Jeryn (and accidentally interrupted his phone call, whoops) and a few more dancers who were all so gracious and easy to talk to.

To view all the photos from the evening, please visit our HSM3 LA World Premiere Image Gallery.

Last but not least to Kim, Taylor, and Skyler:

Thank you for allowing me to be within the company of your family for this overwhelmingly fulfilling day. Your generosity will not be forgotten by me and I’m touched- deeply moved in fact, that you invited me to share the day with you.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to both Kim and Taylor who made appearances on-screen during several moments of the movie!

High School Musical 3: Senior year hits American theaters Friday, October 24th.

Source: Disney All photos taken by Audrey

This entry was posted on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 9:43 pm and is filed under Event, HSM, Open Forum, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.