'Music' man — Director says 'High School' projects have been amazing thrill ride

Kenny Ortega has worked with Madonna, Elton John, Gloria Estefan, Neil Diamond, Miley Cyrus and others on their dance steps. He's learned some moves from the legendary Gene Kelly. And he even choreographed the opening ceremonies for Salt Lake City's 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Yet the 58-year-old filmmaker, choreographer and musician is best known for his work on the Disney Channel original productions "The Cheetah Girls 2" and both of the "High School Musical" movies.

"It's so crazy. Everywhere we go — Los Angeles, Toronto, Rome, you name it — everybody knows and absolutely loves these films. It's like being on an amazing thrill ride that never ends," he said from Toronto, where he was helping promote "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."

A big-screen version of the popular television concept, "Senior Year" appears to bring the story of the singing and dancing East High Wildcats to a close.

As he did for the first two films, Ortega returns to direct the movie and choreographed the song-and-dance sequences. He also says the new film was "inevitable," especially since its two predecessors "broke all sorts of records for television viewership and such.

"The question was not so much why should we do another 'High School Musical,' but why wouldn't we do one," he said, adding that he certainly can see the appeal of the concept.

"There's a real innocence and charm to it. It's certainly what drew me to the idea in the first place," said Ortega, who was also "wistful and misty-eyed about closing the book, at least on these characters and this chapter of the story."

Still, the project did give Ortega, who last made cinematic features in the early '90s (with "Newsies" and "Hocus Pocus"), a chance to return to big-screen directing.

"I haven't had a chance to scratch that longtime itch. But I've certainly been itchy for a while," he said, laughing.

Ortega was also thrilled that he had a slightly bigger budget and "a wider canvas."

"You have more freedom, to get a little crazier with those dance scenes and big production numbers. It was very exciting for me."

Like the other two movies, "High School Musical 3" was shot primarily in Utah, mainly at Salt Lake City's East High School. Ortega says "he fell in love" with the Beehive State during the 2002 Winter Games.