A Step Up at the US box office as first 3D dance movie opens
Source: Agencies |
August 8, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IT may not seem a likely place to find a dance partner, but as "Step Up 3D" made its way into United States movie theaters on Friday, its makers were hoping kids would line up at box offices to bust a move.
"Step Up 3D" bills itself as the first ever dance movie and follows two other films about dance contests among kids that have been solid hits for the Disney studio.
Released in 2006 and 2008, respectively, the first two movies have grossed over US$260 million worldwide, combined, and now the studio is hoping it can continue its streak.
The film, which stars professional dancers in acting roles, is directed by Jon M Chu, who also helmed the previous installment. He said the 3D format creates an opportunity for the audience to be part of the dance experience, rather than a mere observer on the sidelines.
"The 3D frame becomes an active partner in the dance," Chu said. "Suddenly the audience can be inside the dance, inside the dance battle. There's a duet that happens between the audience and the dancer."
Where "Step Up 2" boasted 60 dancers, "Step Up 3D" ups the number to a large 250.
Stepping it up, so to speak, was a no brainer, for Chu.
Once aimed at a very specific niche market, dance has become a lot more mainstream in recent years thanks to the popularity of such reality TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "America's Best Dance Crew."
Also on TV, top dance groups compete with variety acts on "America's Got Talent," while the popular musical series "Glee" features dancing every week. In fact, "Step Up" dancer Harry Shum Jr is also part of the cast of "Glee."
"With dance shows on TV, the audience is getting more educated," said Chu. "They're learning more of the grammar of dance which is exciting. That gives us freedom to show a bunch of different styles of dance to tell the story."
"Step Up 3D" is about a college student who joins an underground dance crew that battles a rival group in a showdown to win some desperately needed money.
The focus of the film is not so much on the plot, but the dancing itself.
"Step Up 3D" bills itself as the first ever dance movie and follows two other films about dance contests among kids that have been solid hits for the Disney studio.
Released in 2006 and 2008, respectively, the first two movies have grossed over US$260 million worldwide, combined, and now the studio is hoping it can continue its streak.
The film, which stars professional dancers in acting roles, is directed by Jon M Chu, who also helmed the previous installment. He said the 3D format creates an opportunity for the audience to be part of the dance experience, rather than a mere observer on the sidelines.
"The 3D frame becomes an active partner in the dance," Chu said. "Suddenly the audience can be inside the dance, inside the dance battle. There's a duet that happens between the audience and the dancer."
Where "Step Up 2" boasted 60 dancers, "Step Up 3D" ups the number to a large 250.
Stepping it up, so to speak, was a no brainer, for Chu.
Once aimed at a very specific niche market, dance has become a lot more mainstream in recent years thanks to the popularity of such reality TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "America's Best Dance Crew."
Also on TV, top dance groups compete with variety acts on "America's Got Talent," while the popular musical series "Glee" features dancing every week. In fact, "Step Up" dancer Harry Shum Jr is also part of the cast of "Glee."
"With dance shows on TV, the audience is getting more educated," said Chu. "They're learning more of the grammar of dance which is exciting. That gives us freedom to show a bunch of different styles of dance to tell the story."
"Step Up 3D" is about a college student who joins an underground dance crew that battles a rival group in a showdown to win some desperately needed money.
The focus of the film is not so much on the plot, but the dancing itself.
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