Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a 2009 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. The movie premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009. It was directed by veteran Degrassi actor-director, Stefan Brogren. Degrassi Goes Hollywood is the first feature-length movie of the Next Generation cast, and the second feature-length film in the Degrassi franchise, the first being 1992's School's Out in which Brogren co-starred. Degrassi Goes Hollywood is the first in-continuity Degrassi production recorded and/or set principally outside of Canada. For syndication purposes, the film has been shown as a four-part episode titled "Paradise City".
| "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood" | |
|---|---|
| Degrassi: The Next Generation episode | |
 Marco and Paige explore L.A. | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 Episode 19, 20, 21, & 22 (Paradise City, when individual) |
| Directed by | Stefan Brogren |
| Written by | Sarah Glinski Matt Huether Vera Santamaria Sara Snow |
| Featured music | see Music |
| Production code | 819-822 |
| Original air date | 30 August 2009 (Canada) 14 August 2009 (U.S.) 15–18 July 2009 (Poland) |
| Running time | 120 minutes (with commercials) |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
An extended version of the film was released as a bonus on the show's season 8 DVD on 1 September 2009.
Plot
As the name suggests, the cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation travels to Los Angeles, California as they attempt to live out their dreams. While Manny Santos continues to pursue her acting career, Paige Michalchuk manages to acquire a leading role in a Hollywood film directed by Jason Mewes about his high school story and the girl of his dreams, Trixie. The dramatic relationship between Craig Manning and Ellie Nash continues to intensify after years of turbulence. Meanwhile, Stüdz—the band composed of Peter, Danny, and Sav—seems to be headed towards their big break.
Cast
- Raymond Ablack portrays Sav Bhandari, a guitarist in the Degrassi Community School rock band, Stüdz. (Season 7–11)
- Charlotte Arnold portrays Holly J. Sinclair, Degrassi student and employee at the Dot Grill. (Season 7–11)
- Mary Ashton portrays reality show star Hailey Montel, Paige's employer/peer.
- Kelly Carlson, makes a cameo appearance alongside Vivica A. Fox.
- Lauren Collins portrays Paige Michalchuk, Degrassi alumnus, who lands the leading role in a Hollywood production, but clashes with the director, Jason Mewes. (Season 1–8)
- Nina Dobrev portrays Mia Jones, a student at Degrassi, single mother, and Peter's girlfriend. (Season 6–9)
- Jake Epstein portrays Craig Manning, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter who dropped out of Degrassi to pursue his musical career. (Season 2–8)
- Stacey Farber portrays Ellie Nash, a Degrassi alumnus whose relationship with Craig becomes increasingly complicated when she meets him again in Los Angeles. (Season 2–8)
- Vivica A. Fox makes a cameo appearance in the film.
- Yani Gellman makes a cameo appearance in the film.[1]
- Perez Hilton makes a cameo appearance as himself in the film.
- Jamie Johnston portrays Peter Stone, a member of the Degrassi punk rock band, Stüdz. (Season 5–10)
- Kevin Jubinville portrays Principal Sheppard of Degrassi Community School, whom Jay Hogart coerces (by means not explained on screen) to loan or rent him a school bus in which to transport Manny and four minors (the Stüdz and Mia), across an international border and over 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi) to Los Angeles.
- Shane Kippel portrays Gavin "Spinner" Mason, Degrassi alumnus, manager of the Dot Grill, and customary drummer for Degrassi rock band Stüdz (though sidelined while his arm heals from a gunshot wound); he has previously dated both finalists for the female lead in Mewesical High: Manny & Paige. (Season 1–9)
- Dan Levy portrays Robbie, the studio producer who hires Paige for the role of Trixie.
- Mike Lobel portrays Jay Hogart, the ex-fiancée of Manny Santos and replacement drummer for Stüdz following Spinner's injured arm from a gunshot wound. (Season 3–9)
- Miriam McDonald portrays Emma Nelson, Degrassi alumna who is Manny's best friend and roommate. (Season 1–9)
- Jason Mewes, as himself, is the writer-director and protagonist of Mewesical High, the film on which several of the characters work.
- Adamo Ruggiero portrays Marco Del Rossi, Degrassi alumnus, and Paige's best friend and supporter. (Season 2–9)
- Michael Seater portrays Michael Ray, who plays Jason Mewes in Mewesical High.
- Melinda Shankar portrays Alli Bhandari, Degrassi student and Sav's younger sister. (Season 8–14)
- Kevin Smith, as himself, supports Jason Mewes as he makes his directorial debut.
- Cassie Steele portrays Manny Santos, Degrassi alumna, who aspires to become a famous actress in Hollywood, and take over Paige's part in the movie. (Season 1–9)
- Cassadee Pope of pop-rock band Hey Monday makes a cameo appearance as herself with Pete Wentz; they are colleagues of Craig Manning.
- Pete Wentz of rock band Fall Out Boy makes a cameo appearance as himself with Cassadee Pope; they are colleagues of Craig Manning.
- Evan Williams portrays Kelly Ashoona, the boyfriend and college roommate of Emma Nelson. (Season 8–9)
Former Degrassi: The Next Generation co-star, Shenae Grimes and her current series, 90210, are spoken of in dialogue by Hailey Montel (Mary Ashton) at a party, making Grimes the first Degrassi actor to exist within the Degrassi fictional universe independently of her character. Her Degrassi character, Darcy Edwards is neither seen nor referred to in Degrassi Goes Hollywood, and was said to be volunteering in Africa in a previous season. The line of dialogue, "Does 90210 have an After Show?" also refers to the Canadian series The After Show, which is co-hosted by Dan Levy who plays Robbie in the film. Also making an appearance is Romina D'Ugo, who appeared on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, as well as Janna Polzin, who was runner-up on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? This was done again the following year with Degrassi Takes Manhattan, when The After Show's Jessi Cruickshank mentions Drake.
Stacey Farber earned a Gemini Award nomination for best performance in a children's or youth program or series, as Ellie Nash in "Paradise City (Part Three)".[2] The award was won by Michael Seater (who also appeared in Degrassi Goes Hollywood) for his work on Life with Derek. He would then star beside Farber in 18 to Life.
Production
Filming was split between Toronto, Canada, and Hollywood, California with the majority being the former to keep production cost low. Adamo, Stacey, Lauren, Jake, and Jason all filmed in both locations while everyone else filmed only in Canada. All of the studio scenes were shot in Toronto during Degrassi's regular filming schedule while a lot of outdoor Los Angeles was filmed on location in less than a weeks time. Paige's mansion was filmed in both Canada and Los Angeles.
Absences
The following characters do not appear in the movie, but were regular characters on the show during the previous season.
- Sarah Barrable-Tishauer as Liberty Van Zandt
- Stefan Brogren as Archie "Snake" Simpson
- Paula Brancati as Jane Vaughn
- Aislinn Paul as Clare Edwards
Music
| Degrassi Goes Hollywood: Music from the Original Movie | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 4 August 2009 | |||
| Genre | Punk/Alternative Rock | |||
| Length | 37:08 (CD) 44:17 (iTunes) | |||
| Label | Sall Entertainment Group | |||
| Degrassi chronology | ||||
| ||||
Degrassi Goes Hollywood: Music from the Original Movie is the title of the movie soundtrack released on CD on 4 August 2009, and digital download 25 August 2009. It features songs from little known Canadian artist as well as five original songs performed by cast members Cassie Steele and Jake Epstein. Some of the songs featured on it were previously used in the show, thus making this the eighth season soundtrack as well.[3][4][5]
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Crash My Party" | Cassie Steele | 3:03 |
| 2. | "Good Year" | Keith and Renee | 3:22 |
| 3. | "My Fair Weather Friend" | The Blue Seeds | 3:27 |
| 4. | "Rescue You" | Jake Epstein | 4:46 |
| 5. | "Watch Out for the Fuzz" | Howie Beck | 3:05 |
| 6. | "Life Is a Show" | Cassie Steele | 4:12 |
| 7. | "All I Wanna Do" | The School | 3:01 |
| 8. | "The Bee Hell" | The Two Minute Miracles | 3:00 |
| 9. | "Swan Song" | Jake Epstein | 1:46 |
| 10. | "Come On and Go" | Scout | 3:59 |
| 11. | "I Just Wanna Party" | Stüdz | 0:34 |
| 12. | "One Saturday Night Away" | Cassie Steele & The Mewesical High Cast | 2:53 |
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Crash My Party (Ralph Sall Remix)" | Cassie Steele | 2:54 |
| 14. | "Life Is a Show (Ralph Sall Remix)" | Cassie Steele | 4:15 |
References
- "Episode Guide: Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood". TV.com. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- "24th Annual Gemini Awards". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. 20 October 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- "Degrassi Goes Hollywood: Music Orig Movie". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- Apple. "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood (Music from the Original Movie)". iTunes Store (Canada). Retrieved 4 March 2011.
- Apple. "Degrassi Goes Hollywood (Bonus Track Version) [Music from the Original Movie]". iTunes Store (United States). Archived from the original on 21 January 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2011.