Behind the Scenes: 'High School Musical 3'

May 20, 2008— -- The songs, the spirit and the sensation of Disney's television movie "High School Musical" (both "1" and "2") set off a full-throttle show business phenomenon and transformed the lives of its young stars, like Zac Efron.

"You wake up one day and suddenly, you're just cool. I'm not different at all than I've ever been. I don't know what changed," said the 20-year-old teen icon who plays the role of Troy Bolton, a popular basketball team captain.

What hasn't changed is the talent and camaraderie of the cast, now reunited with director Kenny Ortega to shoot "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."

Chris Connelly caught up with the cast on-set getting ready to film a prom night scene.

"We have, like, a prom scene. It's actually a play that we're putting on about a prom ... I have to say we've never dressed so nice -- it almost feels out of character. But you only get to do it once," Efron said.

"So, this is my prom dress, and it's feathery; it's pink; it's rhinestone; it's fun. It's really cool," Ashley Tisdale said as she showed her dress to Connelly. The 22-year-old actress-turned-pop star plays the role of the antagonizing Sharpey Evans.

"And my favorite part about this outfit, when I turn around, it's got Danforth #8 on the back," said Corbin Bleu, a 19-year-old actor who plays Chad Danforth, a member of the East High Wildcats, and Troy's best friend.

"High School Musical 3" will be the first film in the series to open on the big screen, and it'll show its senior-year characters facing some big moments.

"Our kids are growing up. You know, we're now seniors moving into the future, together," Ortega said.

"You see the characters grow up a lot more so than ever before. You know, you have college, you have your relationships, and just trying to figure out which path to take is tough," said Vanessa Hudgens, who stars in the film as Gabriella Montez.

"Troy usually has a pretty big decision to make in every film. And in this movie, you see Troy struggling with these decisions ... whether to, you know, pursue basketball or pursue theater. And it's a pretty big one for him. It's pretty cool," Efron said.