Could the home of the ultra-peppyHigh School Musicalfranchise tell a heartfelt high school story without an R-rating?
They had certain obvious obstacles: no sex, no drugs, no booze.
The guiding principle was: Were not saying those things dont happen.
Credit: Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Were just telling a different part of the story, says Nussbaum.
They didnt want it to be the high school you dreamed of going to.
They wanted it to be the high school you did go to or are going to go to.
No supermodel hot girl takes her top off getting out of a pool.
The guys dont smoke joints in detention.
And if theres sex in some of the relationships, the audience doesnt get to see it.
Whats left forPromto engage moviegoers?
He risks ending high school the way he lived the rest of it alone.
High school is a time of so many firsts, says Wech.
Then you see those moments depicted in a story and that recognition feels good.
Thats why we still love the movies we saw when we were that age.
I hope this can find a place in that genre.
DisneysPrombecame a relationship drama, following several couples and desperate singles as they careen awkwardly toward the big night.
On set we called itProm Actually, Nussbaum jokes.
I was the prom-planner, the girl who wanted the whole night to be perfect, Wech admits.
Prom has a lot of happy associations for people, and also a lot of negatives, Wech says.
Trying to represent both honestly was the key to not becoming overly saccharine or sentimental, or too-young feeling.
I always said from the beginning: This is a Disney movie, but its not a fairy tale.
