In 1980, Fame came to the big screen; showing life at the New York Academy for the Performing Arts. Now twenty-nine years later, Fame is coming back new and improved.

Fame demonstrates the acting talents of Asher Book (Vfactory), Kay Panabaker (Summerland), Naturi Naughton (Notorious), and is directed by relative newcomer Kevin Tancharoen.

“This movie is not a remake of the original; there are similarities, for sure,” said Asher Book in an interview for about.com.

Before this film, there was quite a lot of preparation. Singers in the movie had to be in the recording studio constantly, and some had to learn how to play instruments. One example is Book. He had to learn how to play the piano and make it look natural for a scene with him serenading his love interest.

Book’s character Marco was not in the previous movie. He is an all-new character, who is very much like Book himself. Both grew up singing, went to the Fame school, and are quirky.

“Wow, this guy is a lot like me,” commented Book in a phone interview held in mid September.

Fame will inspire people to follow their dreams and pursue what they love.

“This movie will show you not just what you can get, but the other side,” said Book. “[It] only starts with a dream.”

Like all movies, there are funny moments on set. There’s a scene in a big auditorium with thousands of life-like dummies. Some of the actors thought it would be funny to dress like the dummies and sit in the seats. The production crew came in and couldn’t find them and freaked out. That’s when the actors decided it was time to give it up and tell the crew they were there.

Another fun scene in the movie is the Cafeteria Jam Scene, where all these kids, dancers, and actors are in a cafeteria dancing around. It took four days to shoot.

The actors of Fame didn’t really have to study for their roles in the movie.

“The concept of Fame is timeless. Our issues in this film are similar to the ‘old’ film but are more current and relevant to our time,” said Panabaker in an interview for talkingmake-up.com.

Some fans are nervous about how the new Fame will compare to the old film.

“It might be a good movie, but it won’t be a good adaptation,” commented sophomore Alex Kennedy.

The cast thinks this film will be epic and the older fans won’t be disappointed, while the new fans won’t have to know anything from the old film.

“It’s very much inspired by the original, but you wouldn’t have had to see the original to see this one; this ones brand new,” said Anna Marie Perez de Tagle in an interview for about.com at the 17 Again premiere.