Jon M. Chu

Jon M. Chu attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts and his talents were immediately recognized. He won a number of awards for his short film work--the musicals "Silent Beats" and "When the Kids Are Away"--such as the Jack Nicholson Directing Award, the Kodak Student Filmmaker Award, and the Princess Grace Award, among others. His work on "When the Kids Are Away," an energetic and humorous musical about what mothers really get up to when their kids are out of the house, nabbed Chu representation at the William Morris Agency and the possibility of Hollywood success was at his fingertips. But since nothing is guaranteed in the movie business, Chu's career stalled after a few high-profile gigs he was attached to--a remake of the popular musical "Bye Bye Birdy," a teen version of "The Great Gatsby," and a remake of Stephen Chow's deliriously inventive "Kung Fu Hustle"--all fell apart for various reasons.

Success may not have come as fast as planned, but it did come. Chu's 2008 dance sequel "Step Up 2: The Streets" was a smash, surprise success, propelling his career back on track. He immediately followed it up with the equally successful "Step Up 3D" and his web series "The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers." Because of the new life he's given to the dance musical, Chu was asked to direct the atypical concert film "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," a visual and musical bonanza to the singer's legion of Beliebers.