Though it's subtitled "Senior Year" and may be the final collaboration between some of its bigger stars, "High School Musical 3" probably won't be the last of the popular movie series.
But it marks the end for a few of the many Utahns who were involved in its four-month local shoot.
One of them was Haylee Roderick, an 18-year-old Utah dancer, who says she "was a fan of ('High School Musical') before I was even a part of it."
Recalling her experiences on the film, Roderick said she was "surrounded by incredible talent and people who all share the same passion as I do."
(For those who are wondering, Roderick can be seen in the movie performing as a cheerleader and as a school graduate, as well as in a school musical production scene in which she briefly plays opposite Vanessa Hudgens.)
Roderick said her experiences making and appearing in the film "opened my eyes to the industry and assured me it's what I want to do forever."
Such stories are typical of not just "High School Musical" newcomers like Roderick, but also veterans like Roger "Ro" Malaga and Bonnie Story. Malaga also appears in several of the new film's dance sequences (again in the school musical bit, as well as an end scene), and is credited as an assistant choreographer.
Like Roderick, he says that making "High School Musical 3" was a bittersweet experience.
"I got to pretty much dance my tail off, which was great. But that last scene, when I've got my cap and gown on, that pretty much meant I was done here," he said with a laugh.
Malaga worked on all three films, primarily as a dancer, but said he picked up important career tips from director Kenny Ortega, as well as choreographers Charles Klapow and Story.
"These are three of the greats who are working in this industry. Any time you get to see what they do and learn from it, you've got to take it," he said.
And speaking of Story, she has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and Shaquille O'Neal, and shared an Emmy with Ortega and Klapow for her the choreography on the original "High School Musical" television film.
"We have had so much fun. It is a lot of work, but the creative process has been so great," said Story, who noted that she worked closely with all of the regular, credited cast members — Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Lucas Grabeel, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.
"I have had so much fun pushing them and helping them to be their best. Each one," Story said. "I have had great times and with each one comes different stories.
"I look at them as some of my great friends," she continued. "They are all wonderful to work with ... they love what they do, and we all have fun in the process."
She also had considerable praise for Malaga, for the dancers, including Roderick, and for "all the extras that we used."
"They have to be complimented for the incredible job they did," Story said. "Honestly, they also have a lot to do with the success of all three movies."
The three Utahns joined the stars and filmmakers for the red carpet premiere of "High School Musical 3" in Hollywood last week.
"It was crazy for all of us," Story said, adding "it will be fun to watch the cast move on and conquer new projects."
Roderick said that experiencing a star-studded premiere in Hollywood was "indescribable."
"The craziness of the photographers and the press was a little overwhelming," she recalled. "Everyone wanted you to dance for them, so once we got to the end of the mile of red carpet we were all sweating."
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com