Step Up: High Water is an American drama web television series based on the Step Up film franchise created by Duane Adler that premiered on January 31, 2018 on YouTube Red (now YouTube Premium).
The series was created by Holly Sorensen, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum. On May 22, 2018, it was announced that YouTube had renewed the series for a second season.
Video Step Up: High Water
Premise
Step Up: High Water follows the students and faculty of "High Water, Atlanta's most cutthroat performing arts school. When twins Tal and Janelle relocate from Ohio, they find themselves thrust into a world where every move is a test. As they attempt to navigate their new world-- on and off the dance floor-- they'll discover just how deep they're willing to dig to realize their dreams and seize their moment."
Maps Step Up: High Water
Cast and characters
Main
- Lauryn McClain as Janelle Baker
- Petrice Jones as Tal Baker
- Marcus Mitchell as Dondre
- Terrence Green as Rigo
- Carlito Olivero as Davis Jimenez
- Jade Chynoweth as Odalie Allen
- Kendra Oyesanya as Poppy Martinez
- Eric Graise as King
- Faizon Love as Al Baker
- Ne-Yo as Sage Odom
Recurring
- Naya Rivera as Collette Jones
- R. Marcos Taylor as East-O
- Terayle Hill as Marquise
- Al Calderon as Johnny One
- Saidah Nairobi as Electra
Guest
- Savion Glover as Tap Dancing Teacher
Episodes
Production
Development
On June 23, 2016, YouTube announced at the annual VidCon conference in Anaheim, California that they were developing a new drama series based on the Step Up film series with Lionsgate Television producing alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum.
On June 23, 2017, YouTube announced that it had officially given Step Up: High Water a first season order consisting of ten episodes, each running about 45 minutes in length. The series was described as YouTube Red's first "big-budget, Hollywood-produced television drama" and that its arrival would end up "moving it into more direct competition with players like Netflix and traditional cable networks." In the announcement, it was revealed that each episode of the series would cost several million dollars to produce. A few days later, members of the series' creative team were announced. Original songs for the series were set to be written by singer/songwriter Jason "PooBear" Boyd and "Jingle" Jared Gutstadt. The films series' choreographer Jamal Sims was expected to choreograph the first episode after which subsequent episodes would be choreographed by Jamaica Craft. The pilot episode was set to be directed by Adam Shankman. It was later reported that Debbie Allen had directed the show's second episode.
On May 22, 2018, it was announced that YouTube had renewed the series for a second season.
Casting
On June 28, 2017, it was announced that Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera, Faizon Love, Lauryn McClain, Petrice Jones, Marcus Mitchell, Jade Chynoweth, Carlito Olivero, Terrence Green, R. Marcos Taylor, Eric Graise, and Kendra Oyesanya had been cast in the series' main roles. In January 2018, it was reported that Savion Glover would make a guest appearance in the series as a teacher at High Water.
Release
Marketing
On July 12, 2017, YouTube released a video introducing the show's main cast. On August 13, 2017, the cast of the series, including Jade Chynoweth and Kendra Oyesanya, performed at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards with a highly-choreographed dance routine.
On December 19, 2017, YouTube released the first trailer for the series and announced that the show would premiere on January 31, 2018 with all ten episodes released at once.
Premiere
On January 30, 2018, YouTube partnered with Fathom Events for special screenings of the first episode of the series at more than 750 movie theaters. The event also included a screening of the original 2006 Step Up film that launched the five-film franchise, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the television series.
Reception
In a positive review, Sonia Saraiya of Variety offered the series praise saying, "This YouTube Red original has found an intriguing way to blend the mediums of dance, film, and soapy teen television, with an energetic, conscious new installment in the series that is a lot of fun to get sucked into." In another favorable critique, Decider's Kayla Cobb described the series as "a genuinely compelling and dramatic story that very well may stand as the best narrative installment of the Step Up universe."
References
External links
- Official YouTube Channel
- Step Up: High Water on IMDb
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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