Backstage

¶¶

Ready?

Ready as I'll ever be.

Here we go! First day at one of the most prestigious

art schools in the country.

I've never felt this nervous.

- Are you kidding me? What about our third-grade recital?

- This is so much more. - Wow,

that was a lot of nervousness...

and puke. You don't have to be so scared, Vee,

you're amazing. You wouldn't have gotten in if you weren't.

- I wouldn't have gotten in if you hadn't made me apply.

You just needed a little nudge. - You're the best.

- I know! - Let me guess...

dance with a concentration in ballet?

Um, yeah, how'd you know?

- Say your names to the camera. - Um, I'm Carly,

but people call me Cee, and this is...

- Vanessa. - And people call you Vee...?

Yeah! Actually, they do!

- Welcome, Vee and Cee, I'm Julie Maslany,

your student president!

Vee, you've gotta see this!

¶¶

Those dancers must be the Primas: The best dancers

in the school. (Squeals)

(gasping): So cute!

Freshman, music program,

you look like you could be a drummer

but you're carrying an electric guitar

and you're a singer too?

I know, it's kind of a gift; I'm really good at reading people.

You okay? You look... a bit in shock.

I do. I mean, I do?

- Don't worry, the first day of school is always intimidating.

Just know that every freshman...

Scratch that. Every student here feels exactly the same.

It's just that some are better at hiding it than others.

- Thanks! I'll try to remember that.

Way easier said than done.

- : Scarlett the starlet!

¶ La la la la la ¶

¶ Oo oo ooh ¶

- What am I doing here? - Conquering the world!

Here's hoping.

¶¶

- Welcome to Keaton School of the Arts.

Keaton is the key to your future.

Whether it will be a success or a failure is

completely up to you. - This is gonna be

the best 4 years of your life. Not saying

it's gonna be easy, but it is gonna change who you are

for the better. - The person you are today

will not be the person who will graduate in 4 years.

Look around. The people

sitting next to you are your family.

Help each other. Support one another.

Be each other's critics, fans, and most importantly, friends.

- Statistically, only half of you will make it to graduation.

And one of you won't even make it 'til Christmas.

Will it be you?

- If you need someone to talk to, my door is always open.

- If you need a shoulder to cry on,

go cry to your mother.

Just like in life, this is not a rehearsal.

You are constantly being judged, constantly being evaluated;

One misstep could mean the end.

- Think now would be a good time to get to know...

- what each one of you is capable of.

- So, let's see what you're made of. - So,

let's see what you're made of.

¶¶

- ¶ Came down here to this coffee shop ¶

¶ Maybe learn a thing maybe loosen up ¶

¶ Take a minute to work on my art ¶

¶ Not so lucky now All I've been doin' ¶

- Isn't she the girl from that show?

The one with the robot?

I don't watch TV.

Who doesn't watch TV?

- People who don't own televisions.

- Whl mean, even his haircut is? Reeks of pretention.

- I know he probably thinks I'm, like, too cool or something,

but... my situation is...

it's...

it's complicated.

Does she look familiar to you?

Um...

¶ ...And taking ¶

Yes!

She's Chase.

From Chase and Chance!

I love that show!

I mean, how much more intimidating can this day get?!

Who's the student...

who came into my class... late?

You're up, Miss...?

Alya. Alya Kendrick.

OK, Alya, it's all yours.

It's okay, take your time.

- Is she seriously freezing up? What an amateur!

Did she say her name was Alya or Elsa?

I couldn't hear!

¶¶

Vanessa Morita.

You'll be great.

- And again. And again and again and again

and again! That'll do.

It's not the worst I've seen.

- Congrats! - Congrats?

- That was one of the best compliments Helsweel

has ever given. Seriously! Big props.

How can that be a compliment?

- I'm Sasha, but everyone calls me TMZ.

No one calls him TMZ.

- I'm Vee, this is Cee. - Cute!

Look, this is my second year taking this class.

Long story, but take it from me, she thought you were amazing.

She has a whole repertoire of sayings and expressions

that you'll get used to over time.

Decoding her is actually fun! - Yeah...

sounds like a ton of fun. - After this class,

she'll pick one lucky freshman to take an elective with her

and her fourth year ballet class: The primas.

I'm already out of the running.

Again; Long story.

But being chosen is a really big deal.

And my money is on Vee.

- You haven't seen Carly yet; She has mad skills.

- Really? - Carly Catto.

¶¶ (classical piano music)

That will be all.

Any... decoding there?

- Actually, I've never seen that look before.

- Is... that a good thing or a bad thing?

- Cee is the most talented dancer I know.

It'll totally be her. - Of course it won't be me,

but, man, wouldn't it be amazing if it were?

¶¶ (pop music)

Kit Dunn?

- Hi. - Great to meet you!

I'm Jax Gardner, but, ah...

you might know me as DJ G.

No? Don't recognize the name?

You're missing out, my friend!

Missing out! Here,

I'm DJing a house party this weekend, you should come, you'll have a great time.

- Actually, I... - Listen, so we got assigned

to be partners, whether we like it or not, and to be completely

upfront with you, because that's the kind of guy I am:

I'm upfront, like, 24-7,

um, I'm on the "not" side; More of a solo artist,

if you know what I mean. But, hey, if we're gonna make this

work, and I know we will, just, you know,

sit back, get laxed and let Jax take us to the top!

- I'm not sure... - Seriously,

I'm a professional producer, DJ...

I've even been called a musical genius.

Search me up, you'll find

all my deets.

- (sighing): This is going to be interesting.

- So, we just need to put together

a sample mix by the end of the day using those files?

It's child's play!

What can I say; It's a dog-eat-dog world out there.

If you don't take control of your destiny,

then you're not cut out for show business.

And DJ G is the real thing.

For real.

¶¶

- Are you conquering the world yet?

Um, no, not quite.

Actually, the total opposite. - You've got to chill.

I'm just a little...

He's right, you know.

You really should relax a bit.

- No. I mean, yeah. So, I'm a little nervous.

But who isn't, right? Some people are just...

better at hiding it than others.

If you say so!

- Our first day and you're not... a little nervous?

- Sure, but I find meditation helps with that.

Seriously?

- (snickering): No, not seriously.