Disney Channel (2006) / Director: Kenny Ortega
The first High School Musical, a movie that would set off a global phenomenon that is still going almost 20 years later, was made for a modest budget. So we decided it was cheaper to keep some attributes of Salt Lake City’s East high school rather than change them, such as the name and the school colors. We did, however, have enough money to add these graphics, planters, and fountain.
We loved the bones of this fantastic public school cafeteria, it was perfect for staging big, Busby Berkeley-style dance numbers. But in its original form, it was far too bland for our idealized high school. Inspired by a recent trip to see the work of the great muralists of Mexico, I divided high school into three concepts and did a foam-cut mural for each; The Arts (top of frame), Athletics (center frame), and Academics (not pictured).
Overhead view of the East High School cafeteria dressed for the "Status Quo" dance number.
Set pieces for the "Twinkle Town" musical the cast was preparing for.
The tree from the "Twinkle Town" musical the cast was preparing for.
Troy and Gabriella (Zach Efron and Vanessa Hudgens) dance in the finale "We're all in this Together".
