BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Isaiah Smith of Point Breeze became one of 12 finalists in last night's episode of ABC's reality competition series "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" (8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, WTAE).

Smith, a June graduate of the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, plans to attend Point Park University this fall. But first he'll compete in the ABC series. The winner gets a starring role in a music video to air during the end credits of "HSM3: Senior Year." The winner will also receive a talent deal with ABC and a recording contract for two singles with Walt Disney Records.

Smith said a talent scout saw him perform in a CAPA production of the musical "Children of Eden" earlier this year and invited him to audition for "Get in the Picture." He said friends suspected something was up when he left to participate in "Get in the Picture" a few days before school ended, skipping the graduation ceremony. Since then he has been mostly in Utah filming the show.

"We're surrounded with so many different personalities," Smith said by phone from outside of Salt Lake City last week. "The biggest adjustment was accepting the fact that everybody is so different and has something unique to bring to the table. It's been a humbling experience. I think I went into it overly confident. I'll be coming out a better person, a better performer."

Smith said he's not a big fan of reality shows, but he says "Get in the Picture" is different.

"I've seen my share of reality shows. I don't like them. They just take up space on TV," he said. "I appreciate them differently now. Not all reality shows are alike. A lot of reality shows show the worst parts of people, whereas this is all about building up personalities and performers."

As for the "HSM" franchise, Smith said, "I was a supporter, but I wasn't necessarily a fan yet. It means more to me now."

Smith lives in Point Breeze with his parents, Tim and Donna. He has three siblings, including a brother who plays drums for jazz musician Kenny Garrett.

Smith said he most enjoys singing R&B music, but he's performed different genres for "Get in the Picture." He only started in the musical theater major at CAPA after appearing in a musical in 10th grade, switching from an instrumental major (he played flute).

"I had a really good time doing it, and I felt I had nothing to lose by making the switch," he said. "It was almost one of those rebellious things. My parents didn't want me to [switch], so I wanted to even more."

He's appeared in CAPA's "Aida" and "The Secret Garden" before "Children of Eden."

Whatever the outcome of "Get in the Picture," Smith said he's ready to make his living as an actor.

"I want to have a well-rounded career," he said. "My first love is the stage, but this whole film experience has opened up another door for me. Maybe I'll do film first and go back to my theater roots later. Either way, I'm loving it all. I consider myself an actor. Every note I sing is motivated by something I'm feeling."