Step Up: High Water

Step Up: High Water
Genre
Created by Holly Sorensen
Based on Step Up film series
by Duane Adler
Starring
Theme music composer Kutt The Check
Composer(s)
  • Jared Gustadt
  • Jeff Peters
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Joshua Throne
  • Salli Newman
Cinematography Joaquin Sedillo
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 41–57 minutes
Production company(s)
Release
Original network YouTube Premium
Picture format 4K (UHDTV)
Original release January 31, 2018 (2018-01-31) – present (present)
External links
Official YouTube channel

Step Up: High Water is an American drama web television series based on the Step Up film series 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.

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."[1]

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
  • Ashley Greene as Nine Sanders (season 2)
  • Jeremy Copeland as Zo Browder (season 2)

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

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Adam ShankmanHolly SorensenJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
2"Episode 2"Debbie AllenThembi L. Banks & Rochée JefferyJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
3"Episode 3"Rob HardyHadjiiJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
4"Episode 4"Janice CookeMolly Kate Margraf & Jerica LiebermanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
5"Episode 5"Janice CookeBryan M. Holdman & William H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
6"Episode 6"Michael SchultzThembi L. Banks & Rochée JefferyJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
7"Episode 7"Nzingha StewartWilliam H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
8"Episode 8"Silas HowardBryan M. HoldmanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
9"Episode 9"Charles Randolph-WrightHolly Sorensen & Bryan M. HoldmanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
10"Episode 10"Norman BuckleyHolly Sorensen & William H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)

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.[2][3]

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.[4] 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.[5] It was later reported that Debbie Allen had directed the show's second episode.[6]

On May 22, 2018, it was announced that YouTube had renewed the series for a second season.[7]

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.[5] On January 19, 2018, it was reported that Savion Glover would make a guest appearance in the series as a teacher at High Water.[8] On August 28, 2018, it was announced that in season two Ashley Greene and Jeremy Copeland were joining the cast, that Rick Ross and Todrick Hall would appear as themselves, and that JaQuel Knight would make a cameo appearance in addition to choreographing episode three.[9]

Release

Marketing

Promotional poster for Fathom Events' special screening of the premiere episode.

On July 12, 2017, YouTube released a video introducing the show's main cast.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13][14]

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."[15] 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."[16]

References

  1. ↑ Cranswick, Amie (December 20, 2017). "Step Up: High Water TV series gets a first trailer". Flickering Myth. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  2. ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew (June 24, 2016). "'Step Up' Movie Franchise to Become TV Series on YouTube Streaming Service". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  3. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 24, 2016). "'Step Up' TV Series Produced By Channing Tatum, Other Shows Ordered By YouTube". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  4. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (June 23, 2016). "YouTube Red Buys 'Step Up,' Its First Big-Budget TV Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Petski, Denise (June 28, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera & Faizon Love To Topline YouTube Red Drama Series". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  6. ↑ Kwateng-Clark, Danielle (November 24, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water' Has Debbie Allen Flexing Her Directing Powers". Essence.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  7. ↑ Petski, Denise (May 22, 2018). "'Step Up: High Water' Renewed For Season 2 By YouTube". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  8. ↑ "BWW Exclusively Premieres Clip from STEP UP: HIGH WATER ft. Savion Glover". Broadway World. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  9. ↑ Jarvey, Natalie (August 28, 2018). "Ashley Greene Joins Cast of YouTube's 'Step Up: High Water' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ Kinane, Ruth (July 12, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Meet the Cast in This Exclusive Video". EW.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  11. ↑ Fuhrer, Margaret (August 14, 2017). "Watch the Cast of "Step Up: High Water" Slay at the Teen Choice Awards—Then Learn Their Moves". Dance Spirit. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  12. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 19, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Trailer & Premiere Date For YouTube Red Series Based On Film Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  13. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 4, 2018). "Film News Roundup: Fathom Sets Premiere Showings for 'Step Up: High Water' Series". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Step Up: High Water Season Premiere Event In Movie Theaters - Fathom Events". Fathom Events. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ Saraiya, Sonia (January 31, 2018). "TV Review: 'Step Up: High Water' on YouTube Red". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  16. ↑ Cobb, Kayla (February 2, 2018). "YouTube Red's 'Step Up: High Water' Is Like A More Dramatic 'Glee' But With Dancing". Decider. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
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