The Exec posted the official Canadian Press Release of Degrassi Goes Hollywood. It’s a LOOONG one so I won’t post any of my own commentary about it:
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Toronto, ON (August 4, 2009) – It’s a southward migration that happens every year: droves of aspiring actors and musicians from across Canada head to Hollywood in hopes of making it big. Now, as real-life DEGRASSI actors become hotter than ever in Tinseltown, CTV presents the two-hour CTV Summer Movie event PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD, premiering Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Featuring all-new original musical performances, the CTV Original Movie stars VAMPIRE DIARIES’ Nina Dobrev, Spring Awakening’s Jake Epstein, Cassie Steele, Lauren Collins, Adamo Ruggiero and Stacey Farber.
In the first-ever DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION movie event, art imitates life following the enormous success of real-life DEGRASSI actors. As Paige and Manny seek the Hollywood spotlight in PARADISE CITY, DEGRASSI actors continue to hit the big time in reality:
Aubrey Graham (Jimmy Brooks), has taken the music scene by storm as rapper Drake; Nina Dobrev (Mia Jones) sees her fame factor multiply this fall as the star of the new CTV/CW big buzz drama THE VAMPIRE DIARIES; Shenae Grimes (Darcy Edwards) begins her second season of 90210; while Jake Epstein (Craig Manning), continues to tour North America as the lead in the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening.
In PARADISE CITY, hopes are realized, dreams are dashed and relationships are changed forever. Manny (Cassie Steele) and the Degrassi gang including Mia (Nina Dobrev), Sav (Raymond Ablack), Danny (Dalmar Abuzeid) and Peter (Jamie Johnston) venture to L.A. on a cross-continent road trip with Manny’s past love Jay (Mike Lobel) at the wheel. Everyone is hoping to score parts in Mewesical High, a big-budget movie musical directed by Jason Mewes under the mentorship of Kevin Smith. But, it’s not all limo rides and personal assistants. The Hollywood experience leads to the rekindling of old flings, a lot of heartache and deep soul searching as the aspiring stars are reminded that the rise to the top isn’t always smooth sailing.
Meanwhile, as personal assistant to reality television star Hailey Montel (DAN FOR MAYOR’s Mary Ashton), Paige (Lauren Collins) is reluctantly accepting that in life you work from the ground up. So when Hollywood hands Paige a shortcut to fame and fortune, she jumps at the opportunity and takes Marco (Adamo Ruggiero) and Ellie (Stacey Farber) along for the ride.
Back in Toronto, Manny (Cassie Steele) has immersed herself in her university theatre program and is committed to becoming an “actor of substance.” Already the star of Jay and Silent Bob Go Canadian, Eh?, Manny blows an opportunity to star in Mewes’ newest feature before she decides to follow her dream and head on a road trip to L.A. to win the back the role.
“PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD is DEGRASSI like you have never seen it before,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “With a stunning Hollywood backdrop, favourite DEGRASSI cast members and unbelievable guest stars, this movie is a great way to say goodbye to summer.”
PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD will air on Saturday, September 5 at 9 p.m. ET and 12 a.m. ET on MuchMusic. An encore will air on Sunday, September 6 at 4 p.m. ET on MuchMusic.
Following the television broadcast of PARADISE CITY, the movie will be available on demand on The CTV Video Player at CTV.ca. The movie will be complemented at CTV.ca with two original music videos featuring favourite DEGRASSI cast members, and the behind-the-scenes featurette “Hooray For Hollywood”.
PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD features musical numbers performed by cast members and guest stars, including “Crash My Party” and “Life is a Show” performed by Cassie Steele. Dance sequences in the movie are choreographed by SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA choreographer Amy Wright. The songs, including “Rescue You” and “Swan Song” performed by Jake Epstein, are featured on the PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD official soundtrack, “Degrassi Goes Hollywood,” available for sale now online and in retailers across the country on August 25.
PARADISE CITY is a new milestone in the storied DEGRASSI franchise which continues to not only produce stars in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well. DEGRASSI has had a tremendous impact on the Canadian Film and Television Industry, as writers and producers who started out working under the mentorship of executive producer Linda Schuyler are now some of the most sought-after production executives in the industry. Virginia Thompson, who started out as a junior production assistant on DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH, became the executive producer of the hit comedy series CORNER GAS. Sean Reycraft, a story editor on DEGRASSI: TNG, is now a producer on 90210, and Sudz Sutherland, a story coordinator on DEGRASSI, became the director of the award-winning movie DOOMSTOWN and also the series WILD ROSES. Most recently, Stefan Brogren, who played Archie “Snake” Simpson on the original series and the current incarnation, has added producer and director to his credit list, including PARADISE CITY.
“The DEGRASSI franchise has had such longevity as a result of continuing to break barriers, foster innovative ideas and develop stars in the Canadian production community, both behind and in front of the camera,” said Boyce.
“Being part of the DEGRASSI evolution for over half my life has been nothing short of amazing,” said Stefan Brogren, director of PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD. “Adding producing and directing to my acting credits in the series has been a remarkable experience for me. All the DEGRASSI cast and crew gave me tons of support as I stepped up as director of the movie.”
Returning to the screen for this special Hollywood instalment are DEGRASSI alumni Adamo Ruggiero (Marco), Jake Epstein (Craig), Lauren Collins (Paige), and Stacey Farber (Ellie). Also starring in the movie are DEGRASSI cast members Cassie Steele (Manny), Mike Lobel (Jay), Nina Dobrev (Mia), Raymond Ablack (Sav), Dalmar Abuzeid (Danny) and Jamie Johnston (Peter).
Joining the DEGRASSI cast in PARADISE CITY are acclaimed Director/Producer/Actor Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma) and Jason Mewes (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Clerks), who play themselves, while scouting talent for and directing the film Mewesical High. The movie also features guest cameos by actresses Kelly Carlson (NIP/TUCK) and Vivica A. Fox (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, and Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. Also, making his dramatic television debut is MTV’s THE AFTER SHOW co-host Dan Levy who plays Robbie, a young Hollywood producer.
“I have only the warmest of thoughts for Canada, and DEGRASSI is an institution there,” said Perez Hilton, PerezHilton.com. “So, now, I hope this officially makes me an honorary Canadian! I had the best time filming my cameo and I can’t wait to watch the movie, like everyone else!”
“I had so much fun shooting Degrassi Goes Hollywood!” said Dan Levy, Host of MTV’s THE AFTERSHOW. “It was my very first acting gig, and I couldn’t have asked to spend it with a better group of people!”
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