Hsmtmts Season 3 Trailer reaction/analysis/observations
Alright – here we go!
This is long. Like really, really long. The longest post I’ve ever done. I cover a lot here and I apologise in advance if some of what I’ve said is repeated or just seems obvious.
I noticed that there are a few scenes that happen that I believe are out of order, but I decided to give them their own post, rather than squish them in here.
And my ask box is now open! (for the next day or so) So, if you have any questions about what I’ve written below or anything else, feel free to drop it in there. I will try to answer them as much as I can.
This is also in chronological order - so lets begin!
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Can I just say, overall this season looks amazing visually. It’s just so bright and fun, in contrast to season 2 being quite tense and heavy.
EJ scene at the start of the Instagram trailer is so cute, along with the way Gina tilts her head when she comments. I can only imagine the conversation when Gina learnt about his second home (someone should write a fic)
Gina comes out of a house that I don’t recognise. Could she had visited her mum and they picked her up on the way? Cause it’s certainly not Ash’s house. Plus, Ash seems to be re-buckling her belt - possibly from moving from the front to the back. (also, EJ is just so happy to see her is make my heart smile)
I wonder how Ash, Kourt and Carlos found out about this camp and that there’s a celebrity guest – obviously EJ didn’t tell them about it.
The comedic timing is going to be gold this season – EJ at the start like ‘something something wildcats!’ like omg
Look I know it’s a tv show and it’s not entirely realistic but considering the outfits we’ve seen and their hairstyles, they all have really small bags for a 2-week camp (except for Carlos). Like this is 2 weeks were talking about. You cannot have fit everything into one carry bag.
I’d also like to point out some of what we see in the background of the camp shot – we’ve got the blurred-out pool area (still confused about that btw) and the pergola area but next to that we’ve also got a playground (inc. a swing set) which could be a cool setting for scenes.
Not sure where that shot of Maddox fits in as its not from the first ep, since she’s wearing a totally different outfit to when she’s taking the phones, but she clearly says ‘welcome folks!’ (I don’t think we see her wearing that outfit anywhere else in the trailer (same situation for the shot of Ricky in the blue tee)
Kourt, Carlos, Ash & Gina standing – you can see the playground and swing set a bit better
Also is Kourtney waving too? I didn’t think she’d already know people there
Similar to Val, I think EJ already knows Maddox – and one of them goes up to the other to greet them in a hug or similar hence why EJ is standing next to her and not the group. I’ve seen a couple people say that EJ doesn’t give up his phone, but if you see it does show him about to reach into his pocket, presumably to give up his phone.
I think I’m really gonna like Maddox – her face while collecting Kourtney’s phone is just-
So from the announcement night scene – this shot wasn’t in the sneak peek so I can’t wait to see what happens for Gina to make that face and for EJ to laugh.
Ok so circling back to EJ’s camp jacket and wondering why he’s wearing it this scene. We know this is the first ep and he doesn’t get announced as director (!!) until the second, so there lies the question, why is he wearing camp merch on the first night? I think he could start out by going to camp as a CIT like Maddox, but then get asked to direct. (does this mean EJ and Maddox are the same age?) I wonder who asks him to direct. Is it something Val or Maddox recommend or does Dewey? Also I wonder if he jumps on it straight away or is apprehensive at first? (so many questions!)
Shot of Gina in gold/green jumpsuit – its really hard to say when this takes place. Given the simple set, I’m gonna jump on the bandwagon of saying its possibly during auditions – a similar situation to ‘123’ (and the fact that most of the trailer shows scenes from the first couple episodes)
I’m really excited to see Gina dance again though
So Nini and Miss Jenn- initial reaction was ‘what?’. Why is Nini holding those things? Why does she say surprise? Just so many questions. But its defiantly going to be interesting to see how this all works in, considering atm it feels like a totally separate story. I just hope it does feel jarring to watch in the episodes. (I honestly thought for a brief second ‘little boo peep’ when it showed Nini – it was the parasol I swear)
So Ginas number with Corbin – I’ll be honest, the first couple watches I couldn’t figure out who was who and what was going on, but seeing only Gina with Corbin defiantly makes me wonder the context and how this occurs. And why Gina and no one else? @kylaswatching mentioned in her review post (check it out here) it could be him ‘showing off for his glory days in hsm’, and I’m going to agree with her here.
I’m sorry but Gina is so smitten over EJ in that shot and they’re both so excited. Also are they holding hands?
Shot of Ricky over the city – this happens ep 1. It definitely gives ‘scream’ vibes, but I can’t see why he would be singing that song and so early in the season. Plus it’s a hsm 3 song so? I guess the only way it could fit is if he’s really not sure whether he should even go to camp (maybe forced by parents), and spends the whole car ride grappling with himself. (ok I may have just convinced myself) (plus we get that shot of the air guitar later on so?) (This would kinda make him getting cast as lead even more frustrating)
I am so excited for the road trip scenes and musical numbers, and can’t wait to hear EJ and Gina sing troy and Gabriella's parts in what time is it. Ep1 is going to be so fun
Kinda still don’t understand what Gina means when she’s talks about the bed assignments mainly the ‘new girl cluster’ part… I asked @kylaswatching this and she didn’t really know either (check out the post here)
Ok so EJ and Gina’s kiss – I honestly still can’t get over that we got one in the trailer! This leaves me to believe there will definitely be more. You wouldn’t put your only kiss for the season in the trailer (and in ep1). Ash, Kourtney and Carlos’ faces in this are so good – I can’t wait to see all the teasing EJ and Gina are gonna get from them. Gina’s reaction at the end is so cute. I’m just really glad to see her happy. She deserves it.
So Gina saying really going out for the lead. We obviously know its not true. @cantshinebrighterthanyou posted an interesting take on it and I agree with what they say about Ginas heart being in the right place and her intentions this time. (Check it out here)
In the barn, Gina’s already standing there while everyone else is running in. So she seems to have arrived before them – could have possibly walked in with EJ beforehand.
Colour wars scene- blue team is EJ, Gina, Ricky and Ash. Yellow team is Jet, Maddox, Kourtney & Carlos
I think its really interesting how they grouped EJ, Gina, Ricky & Ash together. Fully expecting some tension there but will be cool to see how it plays out. Kinda wish they had EJ and Gina on opposing teams just to see the banter between them but oh well.
Dancing in front of the car definitely happens when they first arrive. But I did notice something in written on the back windscreen that wasn’t there earlier. I think their road trip will be the duration of what time is it. How they’re standing definitely reminds me of the end of what time is it and when Chad is standing in that line (again can’t wait for the musical numbers this season!)
EJ AS DIRECTOR – probably the biggest reveal of the trailer. This obviously changes things and is a big talking point. The biggest thing is casting and how he goes around that. I can see him being really aware about what everyone might think if he casts Gina in a main role (and possibly Ashlyn) due to their relationship and struggling with it. But in the end, with the help of Val, he’ll make the right decision.
Whether he tells Gina before its revealed to everyone else, who knows, but she looks so proud in the next shot which makes me think she knew before everyone else. (and her being there before anyone else in the earlier scene makes it a possibility of that’s when EJ tells her)
Now Val – I really don’t think I see as a threat to EJ and Gina’s relationship. She seems really nice and it’ll be cool to see how her and EJ relationship turns out, as director/choreographer and as old friends. It totally makes sense now why Meg said a lot of her scenes were with Matt.
So the freaking out scene definitely happens after ep2 and but in the same ep as EJ playing the guitar (due to his and Ginas outfits) and based on Kourtney’s hair from the guitar scene, also the shot showing Carlos and Kourtney in their pjs. Plus does Gina actually look at EJ lips for a second there? And it could be about anything.
Not sure if anyone else thought this – bus Carols’ voice when he says ‘shake your money maker Caswell’ kinda sounds weird and autotuned, especially at the end when he says Caswell. Also, there’s a song happening here as Gina is holding a mic and then lifts it up to start singing. Considering Carlos and Kourtney don’t have a mic, but its in a group setting, it’ll be interesting what song she sings or if its an original and if its will anyone else.
Jet’s singing shot – for a character that was announced as a season reg at the same time as Maddox, we really don’t see him at all during the trailer. By the end of it I counted he appeared 3 times vs Maddox 6 and we never here him speak. The only thing we know about him is he’s a mysterious new kid. THAT IS IT. So out of all the new characters I’m really keen to see him.
All I can say is THANK YOU CARLOS for calling Ricky out. Someone needed to say it to his face. I can’t wait for the Carlos/Ricky banter though, I just know its going to be good. And why is Carlos sitting at the end of Rickys bed? Was there really no other power point in the cabin?
Ok but where did Ricky get the snow suit from though? Did he just steal it from the costume department? And I don’t know why but it’s really giving me Oaken vibes? (also can we just remember that EJ has to deal with this though – and cast him – good luck EJ)
Since we’re out of east high, it’ll be interesting to see if the audition process is the same, with a combined group song from the show and then your own. I suspect it probably will be (judging on these audition clips and Ginas gold suit dancing clip), but I can’t wait so see what their singing – mostly due to Ash’s pose.
Nini playing guitar – almost guaranteed an original song. Interesting to see if it’s one Olivia wrote for the show. No idea where this fits in.
With all these guest stars I’m kinda surprised they didn’t keep at least one a secret until the episode aired like Jordan Fisher. Look, they could still do that, but holy crap that would be a LOT of new characters.
Like I said before its going to be interesting watching Nini story and how it fits in. I’ve actually seen someone (cant remember who now) say that the whole thing with Jamie might have fallen through prompting that line from Marvin. But I feel like that would be pretty repetitive storytelling, as that’s basically what happened end of s1 and s2. Call from YAC, got in, didn’t like it, moved back and got stuck figuring what she wanted to do, but ended up in the play after all. Call to Jaime, didn’t work out and now potentially stuck in SLC while the rest of the group are at camp but ends up there anyway. I’m sorry but that would be sucky writing, I hope the writers are better than that.
Ok but why do Ash and Kourtney say scream? That seems really random. And this is from a different episode again.
The dance/prom episode looks really fun. Plus, it looks like Seb visits! but I’m guessing it’s not for long cause he is not dressed for the occasion at that dance. I’m also hoping we see Big Red in that episode too. Can’t wait to hear the song/s in this one. This is just me wondering but were they told to bring 70s themed clothing? Like how does that work? Also in that shot EJ, Gina, Ash, kourtney, Ricky & Val aren’t anywhere to be seen.
And then there Jojo – which I’m gonna claim that I called it. Not in the way me or @kylaswatching had talked about in this post, but she’s there non-the-less. The fact that she greets them as wildcats – has Maddox told her about them? I saw somewhere that she’s a camp alum, so possibly college age? This would work if Maddox is around EJ’s age. And why isn’t she a camp councillor? Anyway, super keen what they do with her character and how many eps she’s in. I’m think only one or 2, but I hope we get to see her dance.
Carlos’ reaction is so cute, but I don’t think goes with the previous clip- could possibly be when Seb walks in. And considering they have no phones – Carlos wouldn’t have known he was coming. Theres quite a number of people around him and they are completely unfazed, so whatever has prompted that reaction must just be for him. Its feels kind of random in the trailer though.
Is this a docuseries about the camp putting on frozen or about Corbin visiting camp? Cause I haven’t seen Channing anywhere else but following Corbin.
I’m also gonna call crap on Nini’s line. But theres not much else to say here.
EJ’s holding a clip board which can also been seen in the Ricky clip from the Instagram trailer, and this takes place after the announcement (from the sneak peak).
So I think theres a few possibilities of what could be happening here: he’s just been offered the job of director and is telling Gina about it, which she is 100% on board about and encourages him to take it. I think he may seem pretty hesitant (judging by his look back in the barn scene when its announced to everyone), but gina pushes him to do it, which lead him to reassure her that nothing will get in the way of their summer. Otherwise, he hasn’t been offered the director job yet and is just worried about all the responsibilities as a CIT. (but I like the first option better). Then towards the end of that conversation is when Ricky shows up (Instagram trailer) and that’s how the first ep ends.
So then we get that scene. Honestly, I’m not worried. Will it cause problems and conflict for our characters? Absolutely. Especially EJ. You need that, otherwise it wouldn’t be interesting. Looking at it from a storytelling point of view, I can’t see how Gina and Ricky can get together this season. For multiple reasons. But I can elaborate on that in a different post if people want me too. Let me know. Back to the actual scene, I’m actually really glad to see them on talking terms, and that fact that Gina is comfortable around him (given what happened in s2). I actually originally thought it may be some sort of scavenger hunt activity, and they had found a clue which Gina takes from him to read. But Ricky definitely has a script under his arm. (there’s also something orange rolled up in his back pocket). Clearly Ricky has no issue about Gina reading the piece of paper, given his reaction. And Gina seems almost thrilled and excited about whatever it says. If you slow it right down you can see as it pans to EJ, Ginas out of focus hand either coming up to grab Ricky’s arm or playfully hits him, which causes him to bend over and laugh. This could honestly just be them rehearsing as well and maybe EJ came across them not expecting it. This definitely happens after ep 2 though.
And then we get clips introducing actors. I gotta say Val looks thoroughly impressed in her clip. It’ll be interesting to see what/who they’re looking at, considering their stance as it goes EJ, Val, background character and Carlos. And it’s hard to see but it looks like they’re facing away from the stage.
Theres not much else to say about the rest of the clips, but that campfire shot where it introduces our wildcats, it looks like Ginas sharing her blanket with someone. Possibly EJ? We know they’re sitting next to each other from the earlier clip. Also love the way Gina is completely wrapped up compared to the others. And its definitely a campfire. A) the haze around them all and b) you can see wisps of smoke in the left corner near Gina.
EJ as a director is going to be so fun, I’m so excited.
I’m sorry but how on earth is kourney doing all these hairsyles while at camp?? They look amazing though, so not complaining.
Nini standing in front of the pool. Don’t have much to say on that front, but I will say I can’t wait for pool scenes and the possibly of late-night swims. Hsm 2 parallels anyone?
Maddox snapping a polaroid pic is for the auditions and happens ep 2. See the shot of EJ doing thumbs up, you can see polaroid's scattered on the table.
I don’t know why, but I absolutely love Ash’s line. I said this at the start, but the comedic timing this season is going to be so good. She does however, look to her left, means there could be someone else there. I also think they’re not the only ones sharing the cabin. Wouldn’t be surprised if Maddox is in with them.
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Ok so I think that’s it (told you it was long!)
If you read through all that - kudos to you my friend!
Anyway, if you wanna ask me anything, my ask box is open! So feel free to drop in and thanks for reading!
