VIDEO: Adam Shankman Talks Early Influences, Show Business Career & More

As auditions for the FOX hit SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE get underway coast to coast from now through March 15, dancer, choreographer, producer and director Adam Shankman, a final judge on the show, speaks with SCAD founder and President Paula Wallace about his successful show business career and more in the video!

Shankman's directing credits include the film versions of Hairspray, which received three Golden Globe nominations including Best Picture-Musical or Comedy, and Rock of Ages, starring Tom Cruise. His other film directing credits include A Walk to Remember, and The Wedding Planner. Adam has also directed episodes for the hit television series GLEE and MODERN FAMILY and choreographed the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A Los Angeles local, Adam Shankman began his career as a dance and choreographer, appearing in music videos for Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. Soon after, he began choreographing films such as Boogie Nights, Catch Me If You Can, and the Step Up Series. In 2009, he became a permanent judge on So You Think You Can Dance?, and in 2010 was one of the two producers for the 82nd Academy Awards, a telecast which earned a record 12 Emmy nominations, including two for Shankman for producing and choreographing.