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Take the Lead (2006) film released on April 7, 2006 and was directed by Liz Friedlander. The film was based in New York City, but was filmed in Toronto. The editors used various stock footage of New York City to add realism and capture a authentic New York look and feel. The music is by Swizz Beatz and Aaron Zigman and the cinematography is by Alex Nepominiaschy.

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Step Up is directed by Anne Fletcher from a screenplay by Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg. The music is by Aaron Zigman and the cinematography is by Michael Serssin. It was set in Baltimore, Maryland and the film's budget was $12 million. The film has turned into a multimillion franchise that is still being developed today.

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This Thesis compares the film Step Up to the film Take the Lead. Both films shed light on the
challenges that students from rough neighborhoods face, and focuses on their perspectives. In
comparing these films, I will show how using music and dance as an enjoyable form of
discipline for students, can have a huge impact on their life.

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Antonio Banderas as Pierre Dulaine,(hero) a ballroom dance instructor

Alfre Woodard as Principal Augustine James

John Ortiz (villain)as Mr. Joseph Temple, a teacher who only cares for academic success.

The film “Take the Lead” doesn't provide many archetypes because it focuses on each character’s individual story

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Channing Tatum as Tyler Gage,(hero) a lower-class hip hop dancer who gets caught vandalizing a high school and is sentenced wash the school’s windows as community service. Tyler eventually meets Nora and falls in love with her.

Jenna Dewan as Nora Clark (lover/heroine), a classically trained ballet dancer who wants to be a professional dancer.

Mario (Mentor) as Miles Darby, Nora's other best friend, is a talented DJ. Miles was previously lower class like Tyler and offers him advice.

Drew Sidora (mentor) as Lucille "Lucy" Avila, Nora's best friend who loves to sing. Lucy pushes  Nora to follow her dream of being a professional dancer.

Damaine Radcliff (villain) as Marcus "Mac" Carter, Tyler's best friend continuously encourages Tyler to make the wrong decision

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In this scene, Nora needs a dance partner. Tyler realizes that he is capable and talented enough to attend the school and even be Nora’s dance partner.

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Step Up (2006)- Audition & Tyler Joining

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In this scene, all of the students are actually taking dance seriously. They are finding free time throughout their day to practice

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In this scene, Banderas is demonstrating to the students’ family members and school faculty what he is teaching to the students and trying to change their negative preconceived notions of his class.

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Carroll, Larry. "Antonio Banderas may Take The Lead in creating hip-hop/ballroom dance trend, www.mtv.com, published 10-26-2005. Retrieved 09-22-2015

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Longsdorf, Amy. "Take the Lead: Banderas finds dance makes the human connection In his own words", www.articles.mcall.com, published 04-06-2006. Retrieved 09-23-2015

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Step Up (2006). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2010-10-29.

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Catsoulis, Jeannette (August 11, 2006). "Hip-Hop and Ballet Cross Paths in 'Step Up'". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

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Based on cricts reports a score of 55 out of 100 indicating a "mixed or average" reviews. The site's consensus states: "Banderas is charismatic in the lead, and the dance sequences are captivating, but the story is too familiar and predictable." I understand why they felt that way but I disagree. The movie was based on a true story so it doesn't matter if it seemed predictable because this is based on true events. I also do not think it was predictable, this film gave us an inside scoop on each character which left the audience on edge about what was going to happen next and what decision which character will make, especially in the last scene, they didn't even win the competition.
The film Take the Lead earned $4.2 million on its opening day, ranking it third at the domestic box office. The film ultimately grossed a total of $34.7 million at the U.S. box office and $31 million at the international box office, bringing the worldwide gross to $66 million.

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Step Up earned a total of $21 million in its opening weekend, ranking second at the North American box office. By its last day in theaters on October 19, 2006, it earned $65.3 million in the United States and Canada. The film's budget was $12 million.

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In both films, someone either gets shot or dies helping the characters realize that the streets would not take them far in life. The theme throughout both films is ‘no matter what your circumstances are in life, if you work hard, you can make your dreams become reality.

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Both films showcase how hard is it to dream big when surrounded by negativity. The main characters in “Take the lead” and “Step up”, had to change how they viewed themselves. They believed that because of their circumstances in life, they didn't have to apply themselves. They believed that achieving dreams wasn't possible. That is why they didn’t take dance seriously. However, each character experienced a turning point where they realized they should dream big because there is always a possibility that their dreams could come true. Dance taught them discipline and responsibility. To enter the competitions, they needed to practice regularly, take the training seriously, and invest in the appropriate attire.

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Step Up, showcases the lives of two types of dancers from two different worlds who find success and love.

Tyler is a very good protagonist, even though his character makes a lot of dumb decisions. He eventually matures as a character. This is likely due to terrible life circumstances which causes him and his close friends to view the world differently. At the beginning of the film, it seemed like anytime things start looking up for him, he makes a decision that moves him backwards. Eventually he learns that the best decision for him to make isn’t always the easiest one. He begins to take dance school seriously and in time, learns what steps he needs to take finally get his life together.

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Tyler, who is an unpolished, uneducated hip hop dancer whose style constantly clashes with her technical ballet, comes to Tyler’s rescue when her dance partner is injured. In time after dealing with many obstacles, they find a way to work together and grow closer.

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In the film “Step Up” Tyler Gage played by Channing Tatum, is a ward of the state and known to be in trouble for most of his life. One day his friends end up in trouble and he decides to take the blame. This lands him in court where he is sentenced to 200 hours of community service at the Maryland School of the Arts. It is there that he meets his love interest Nora (Jenna Dewan). Jenna is a talented ballet student who is preparing for a showcase. She is a very proper, polished, technical dancer who, if she does well at the show case, has an opportunity to achieve her dreams.

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"Take the Lead" argues that poor inner-city schools can be redeemed by ballroom dancing. The only thing wrong with this vision, I believe, is that the idea works for the ballroom dancers, but not for the gangbangers, who continue with their chosen careers.

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Facing opposition from his coworkers as well as the rest of the school staff members, Bandara enters the detention hall where the students wouldn't even pay him any mind. However, after he brings in one of his sensual pro-colleagues to show them the tango, the students are fascinated. Although he struggles with the prejudice and ignorance of the students, parents, and teachers, Bandaras eventually wins the battle when the group accepts his invitation to compete in a ballroom dance contest.

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At first the principle is amused by Banderas’ suggestion, thinking it’s a practical joke. However, she has tried several ways to help the students, but nothing worked. Intrigued, she feels she has nothing to lose so she gives it a try.

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In the film "Take the Lead," Antonio Banderas, played by Pierre Dulaine, is a Manhattan ballroom dance instructor. He is a very charming, sophisticated, well-dressed man who rides his bike to work every day. One day, he witnesses a student named Rock, (Rob Brown), destroying a school principal car with a golf club. Rather than call the cops, he takes matters into his own hands and approaches the principal (Alfre Woodard). This experience leads to his wanting to teach ballroom dancing to the detention class, feeling that the discipline and control required to learn ballroom dancing is exactly what is needed in this South Bronx high school.