VABN HSM3 Exclusive–Getting to Know…

VABN: Is this the first time you have done background work in a film? If not, what other movies have you done?
Cherie: Yes, it was my first time! I want to do it again as soon as possible! It was a blast!!

VABN: What made you want to be in HSM3?
Cherie: My kids watched the first two HSM movies over and over…so HSM has become “part of our family”. It was natural for us to want to be involved, since they were filming locally. I also wanted to teach my kids that it’s possible to do what they dream of…if they just go for it (like be in a super-cool movie!).

VABN: Which HSM3 scenes were you in? Which was your favorite and why?
Cherie: Basketball scenes, Auditorium, Troy’s House, School Scenes, Graduation. I was there pretty much anytime they needed us for about 6 weeks. My favorite scene was at “Troy’s House” because I felt like a real movie star being inside “Troy’s House” with all of the cast.

VABN: What was your opinion of the movies/cast before you were part of it?
Cherie: I thought the movies and cast were really cute, and that the music was great!

VABN: Has your opinion of the movie/cast changed now that you are part of the HSM family? Would you do it again?
Cherie: I love High School Musical even more! I see how hard the Cast, Crew and Director (and the Extras!) work to make a great movie. They give it their all until a perfect performance is achieved. It is all very professional, but they seem to have a great time doing it! We got home at 4:00am several times. 14 hour days are pretty standard, and they end up filming many of the highest energy scenes in the wee hours of the night!

VABN: Did you meet any of the cast—principals, non-principals, dancers, etc.?
Cherie: Yes! (before I knew it was such a no-no) I talked to Zac a little. I was standing two feet away from him for many “takes” at “Troy’s House” and it almost seemed more awkward not to talk. He was very nice and I must say, that I think he is even better looking in person!…but so is Vanessa! Socorro Herrera (she plays Gabriella’s Mom) was super-nice and very friendly, not stuck-up at all. Ro (Roger Malaga – Dancer/Basketball Player) was very nice and so were Bart Johnson (plays Troy’s Dad) and Brad Johnson (Bart’s brother). Everybody talked about how sweet Kaycee (Martha) is and she said “Hi” to my little boy when I brought him by the set on a day I wasn’t working. We weren’t supposed to talk to the cast unless they talked to us first, which was hard – but I understand that they were on a schedule and they were actually “working” – no matter how much fun it looked like they were having!

VABN: Based on your observations, what did you think about the casts’ interaction with each other?
Cherie: They really seem like a close-knit fun-loving cast. They laugh and goof around between takes, and then when Kenny Ortega calls “Action!” they are commited and professional and work together to make it great.

VABN: What is your favorite HSM3 background memory?
Cherie: I just loved the Extras that I worked with! I was officially a “Teacher” and so were most of my new Extra friends. I was honored to be a “Teacher” at the famous East High! But most of all, I was honored to be in the company of the Extras who were willing to go “all out” and give 100%, take after take, 14 hours a day, possibly just to be a “blurry speck” in the background. Despite the humility of being a “nobody” on the set, they gave it everything they had, just as if they were the star performers! All to make HSM 3 the best movie ever!! There was no complaining – everyone was positive and we had lots of fun together! I was so happy to be with people like that! East High Teachers Rock!!!!

VABN: Did hearing the songs multiple times during takes drive you crazy or did you love them?
Cherie: I loved them and can’t wait to buy the soundtrack for HSM 3!

VABN: Do you think HSM fans are going to like the third movie? Why?
Cherie: I think HSM fans are going to LOVE HSM3!! If I could “buy stock” in HSM 3, I would! The reason is that everything is done in a BIG way…all of the scenes are “over-the-top”. Without giving any spoilers, the makers of this movie spared no expense and did every scene until it was “fabulous”!!! I really feel that this will be the best one.

VABN: What is your opinion on leaks from the movie set? Do you think they take away from the excitement of the movie?
Cherie: The leaks kind of make me sad. I want to surprise everyone with the great movie “we’ve” made. It’s kind of like opening your presents before Christmas…if you can just wait a little longer, you’ll be rewarded! I know it’s hard to wait!

VABN: What are you plans for when the movie comes out? How many times do you plan on seeing it?
Cherie: I am SO EXCITED!! I know this sounds silly, but I want to get all of the “Extras” together, roll out a party-store red carpet at the theater, and go to the first showing on October 24th! Maybe even hire friends as “Paparazzi” to flash pictures as we come to the theater! Just for fun and excitement! Then we will all point at the screen when any one of us is actually visible on camera – and the hairs will stand up on our arms as we finally feel famous (even if we’re really unknown!). I don’t know how many times we’ll see it, plenty! And then we’ll buy the DVD and the soundtrack too! Probably will go broke buying all of the HSM3 merchandise too! (really, I don’t work for Disney! – besides being in the movie anyway).

VABN: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your experience?
Cherie: It was SO fun! Now I miss it like crazy!