A few years ago, I had the joy and honor of not only watching the phenomenally entertaining High Strung movie, but I also had the unexpected pleasure of interviewing the director, producer, and co-writer of this extraordinary film, Michael Damian. Since that time, I have waited expectantly for the sequel to this first High Strung, and I am ecstatic to announce that the wait is finally over! High Strung Free Dance will open in theaters across the country on Thursday, October 11th, and I can hardly wait to see it! In anticipation of this monumental film, I had the opportunity to chat with Michael yet again, and it is my distinct privilege to present it to my readers today!

Photo by Jobee

RH: Michael, it is so great to chat with you again. And I’m so excited for High Strung Free Dance which will finally premiere this week!

MD: Ruth, so great to chat with you again as well. Yes, we are very excited for the High Strung Free Dance premiere as well.

It seems like this one has been a long time in coming. I was trying to remember how long ago you filmed it.

Well, it has been a while, I guess. The principal photography took quite some time, especially when you include all the preparation we did for that. And then you’ve got the post-production. And the post-production for the film was super-extended because, in this movie, we have seventeen different music numbers. Each one of those musical numbers had to be shot organically within the overall framework of the film. So we shot eighty-five hours, and that eighty-five hours had to be edited to an hour and forty-five minutes. We had a lot of amazing footage, and that was the tough part. What can we cut? What’s not gonna be in the movie?

Also included in the post-production is the sound design, and that was something we didn’t want to rush. We wanted it to be spectacular. Then we have the color finish and the special effects. And once all that was done, we went into the marketing phase. We’ve been doing the marketing for the movie for a little over a month now. I don’t have the actual date or the time frame it took to make the movie. I don’t really think about it in those terms. Instead, I think about the different phases. Pre-production, shooting it, post-production, delivery and marketing. And in between that, Janeen and I have written another couple screenplays because we’re working on stuff for the future as well.

You know, the first High Strung movie was so phenomenal. Every time I think about how beautiful that movie was, I am still blown away.

Thank you.

It was such a gorgeously-shot film. The music, the dancing, everything was just fantastic. 

I hope you have the same experience when you see High Strung Free Dance.

Juliet Doherty
Thomas Doherty

I am certain I will. Of course, for me, the great thing is that I will be able to see it on the big screen this time. I never got to see High Strung in the theater. It never came to our area. So I definitely am looking forward to seeing it this week!

I’m so glad.

Now, for those who didn’t see the first High Strung and with the sequel coming out this week, does High Strung Free Dance actually continue the story of the first one? Or is it a completely different story? How would you describe it?

with Jane Seymour

Well, it’s a standalone story, but it has a connecting thread. You don’t have to see the first one before seeing the second one. You can watch them in either order. There is a character in both that acts as the thread that ties the two films together. When we say “sequel,” it’s more about the brand. The classical dance music mixed with modern pop and contemporary sound.

I know that Jane Seymour is returning to this second film. I remember she was in the first one.

You probably know the character that crosses over! {laughs}

{laughs} Yeah, I think so! 

I just gave it away! Darn it! Here I am giving away spoilers! But I’m sure many could figure that out because she was in the first High Strung.

Juliet and Jane

I think I read a summary of the movie, and it mentioned her character and how she fits into the story of High Strung Free Dance. Of course, I’m looking forward to the premiere this week. I have very high expectations for it, but I have no doubt that it will surpass those expectations. I know the first High Strung definitely exceeded my expectations. And judging from the trailer for this one, I am thinking this movie will be absolutely amazing. 

I’m glad to hear that, Ruth. The first single we released

Thomas

from the movie is called “Masterpiece,” and it’s sung by Thomas Doherty. Thomas is a phenomenal actor. You might know him from Disney’s Descendants 2. He is so good. He’s an incredible singer and an amazing actor. He plays Zander in this film, and he’s brilliant. That single, “Masterpiece,” is in the film. Also the film stars Juliet Doherty, who is no relation to Thomas Doherty. Thomas is from Scotland with Scottish family roots, and Juliet is from New Mexico.

What I remember from the first High Strung is that Janeen was instrumental in helping you understand how to capture the dancing on film. Isn’t that right?

Yes, Janeen guides me on everything but especially on how to film the dancing. Having been an amazing dancer herself–a Solid Gold dancer, a dancer with Michael Jackson, Prince, Cher, and more–she knows the right angle to capture the dancing on screen. She guides me on all of that, and I just do what I’m told.

Photo by Jobee © Jobee

That’s the way to have a successful marriage anyway.

Absolutely! I’m not stupid! {laughs} Well, I am, but I’m not.

{laughing} Oh, I understand completely. You’re a smart man, Michael. Now, High Strung Free Dance opens nationwide on Thursday, October 11th, right?

Yes, that is correct. And if you want to see where it’s showing near you, go to the AMC website or to our website {all links below}. You should be able to find out where and when to see High Strung Free Dance at either of those places. If you want to be among the first people to see the movie, be sure to check it out and see it on Thursday!

Juliet

What if there is no movie showing near you? Can you request a special showing of the movie?

Yes, if you go on our website, there is a form you can fill out to request a special showing. If you have a large group that you can get together to see it, you can request that it comes to your area. So if you have two hundred friends or more who are willing to come, you just might be able to make it happen.

That’s good to know. Now, I believe I read that you and Janeen are already working on a High Strung 3. Is that true?

Well, Janeen and I do have a story mapped out. Depending on how High Strung Free Dance does on opening weekend, that will determine whether a third movie is possible. We have a really awesome concept we are working on. So I encourage everyone to come out and support the movie this weekend so we can greenlight the third High Strung movie.

Juliet and Thomas

That would be phenomenal. And I want to say that I highly commend you both and completely respect you for all that you have been doing with these movies these past few years. Independent films require a lot of work, and you have certainly enjoyed some great success with yours. And in truth,  it’s great to get to support all your projects, and I am hopeful that everything will work out for a third movie. 

Thank you, Ruth. It’s not always easy to get an independent film out there, but I hope people realize that this is a lot like The Greatest Showman in many ways. I don’t want people to view this as just a dance movie. Sometimes dance movies are thought of as only being for young people.

Juliet

Oh, but it’s so much more than that! That’s one of the reasons I wholeheartedly support it. When I heard about the first High Strung movie, my entire family sat down and watched it. That was my parents, my daughter, and me. We all loved it, and we were able to watch it together as a family. 

I’m glad to hear that. And this one has so much more to offer than even the first one did. And the cast list is amazing. We’ve got Ace Bhatti from Bohemian Rhapsody. He played Freddy Mercury’s dad. We’ve got Kika Markham from Mr. Selfridge. She played Mrs. Selfridge with Jeremy Piven. We have Desmond Richardson, who’s the brilliant creator of COMPLEXIONS ballet company. There are a lot of mature characters involved, not just young people. In my opinion, Thomas Doherty is really like a young Hugh Jackman. He’s not a “bopper.” He’s a very deep, grounded, passionate, very cool guy.

Thomas

I think this is so exciting, Michael! And I believe a movie like High Strung Free Dance will appeal to families. It’s something everyone can watch together. I like to think of it as a Hallmark movie for the big screen.

That’s a good way of putting it, Ruth. It’s rated PG, and it’s a great film for families to see together. It’s more than just a music and dance film. It’s about perseverance and overcoming obstacles and challenges. It’s about never giving up on your dreams, and in the end, the show must go on. It is a very inspiring story. I know how everyone came out and supported The Greatest Showman. I think that same audience would love High Strung Free Dance too.

Well, you can count on my support, Michael. I hope that the movie is well-attended and that you will be able to do a third High Strung movie.

Thank you, Ruth. At this point, we have done all that we can do in human terms, so we’re leaving the results up to God. And everyone’s support has been so amazing. I can’t thank everyone enough, and here’s to a very successful weekend for High Strung Free Dance.

I cannot begin to tell you just how much Michael and Janeen have meant to me over the past few years. Michael was actually the first interviewee featured on my site, and he has continued to be an incredible champion of my work and talents. I know it’s a mutually beneficial relationship, but it is people like Michael who energize me to continue to pursue my dreams in spite of any challenges or complications along the way. I believe that God brought Michael along at just the right time to motivate and bolster me in my endeavors, and I couldn’t begin to be happier for the unprecedented success and buzz their works have continued to amass. While Michael has an engaging fan base that dates back to his early years on The Young & the Restless, his career has spanned the decades as he has continued to diligently hone every area of his craft. And yet through all of that, he has never lost sight of his dreams and goals, and he proceeds to invest and infuse his entire essence within every one of his projects, regardless of the size or scope. 

But maybe I didn’t mention the most delectable thing about Michael. His humility and graciousness have only become more evident as the years have gone on. I have watched him interact with his fans on such a genuine and personable level, and it thrills me to no end that those same fans have carried him through every facet of his career. There are not too many people in today’s entertainment universe who can boast such a loyal conglomeration of fan support as Michael has, and I truly cannot think of one who is more deserving of such an accolade. Michael is one of the “good ones,” as they say, and it is a magnificent honor to be able to call him friend. 

I sincerely hope that everyone with the ability to do so makes plans to attend High Strung Free Dance this weekend to ensure unparalleled success for this film and exceptional hope for future installments. Moreover, if you have not seen the first film–High Strung–be sure to check it out as soon as possible (Netflix, DVD, VOD, etc.). In addition to all of these suggestions, I entreat you to consider visiting all of Michael’s links below (as well as the links for High Strung Free Dance) and consider following him on social media (he shares the BEST content!) and/or purchasing your ticket(s) for High Strung Free Dance. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend all of Michael’s works, and I am infinitely grateful for industry professionals like Michael and Janeen who have maintained their dedication to providing high-caliber, family-friendly content in a landscape that is often littered profusely with darkness and despair. Thanks to their marvelous efforts, we can enjoy such pleasant films that leave us with a luminous smile on our faces at the end of the night. I cannot think of another director whose positivity radiates in such an extraordinary fashion, and I hope that everyone will join me in wholeheartedly supporting as many of Michael’s projects as possible in order to ensure this brand of filmmaking will never expire!

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