Going the Distance
Encyclopedia
Going the Distance is a 2004
Canadian
teen
/comedy film
directed
by Mark Griffiths
, and written
by Eric Goodman and Kelly Senecal. A road movie
set across Canada, its tagline was They came. They saw. They came.
The film was released in Canada as Going the Distance, but for American release the film's title was expanded to National Lampoon's Going the Distance. The Canadian DVD release retains its original release title.
Produced by Brightlight Pictures
and the first film underwritten in part by MuchMusic
, Going the Distance was a brand extension
for the music television channel and a foray into theatrical feature film
s by MuchMusic's then-corporate ownership CHUM Limited
.
Recent changes to Telefilm Canada
funding rewarded the producers of domestic films that were commercial successes in English Canada
, and Going the Distance was a bid for such success.
producer
(Priestley). He sets out on a roadtrip from the west coast
to go to the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto
, along with two buddies (Tyler and Dime), for the road trip
of their lives.
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
teen
Teen film
Teen films is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, and alienation...
/comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by Mark Griffiths
Mark Griffiths
Mark Griffiths is a British musician famous for touring with Neil Innes in his touring ensemble of the fictional Beatles parody The Rutles where he performs Rutles songs and other songs from his career such as his songs from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He also plays with Cliff Richard's backing...
, and written
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
by Eric Goodman and Kelly Senecal. A road movie
Road movie
A road movie is a film genre in which the main character or characters leave home to travel from place to place. They usually leave home to escape their current lives.-History:...
set across Canada, its tagline was They came. They saw. They came.
Veni, vidi, vici
"Veni, vidi, vici" is a Latin sentence reportedly written by Julius Caesar in 47 BC as a comment on his short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus in the city of Zela ....
The film was released in Canada as Going the Distance, but for American release the film's title was expanded to National Lampoon's Going the Distance. The Canadian DVD release retains its original release title.
Produced by Brightlight Pictures
Brightlight Pictures
Brightlight Pictures Inc. is a Canadian film production and television production company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company was founded in 2001....
and the first film underwritten in part by MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
, Going the Distance was a brand extension
Brand extension
Brand extension or brand stretching is a marketing strategy in which a firm marketing a product with a well-developed image uses the same brand name in a different product category. The new product is called a spin-off. Organizations use this strategy to increase and leverage brand equity...
for the music television channel and a foray into theatrical feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s by MuchMusic's then-corporate ownership CHUM Limited
CHUM Limited
CHUM Limited was a media company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 1945 to 2007. Immediately prior to its acquisition, it held full or joint control of two Canadian television systems — Citytv and A-Channel — comprising 11 local stations, and one CBC Television affiliate, one...
.
Recent changes to Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada or Téléfilm Canada is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Canada.It is the primary federal cultural agency dedicated to the development and promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry....
funding rewarded the producers of domestic films that were commercial successes in English Canada
English Canada
English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following:# English-speaking Canadians, as opposed to French-speaking Canadians. It is employed when comparing English- and French-language literature, media, or art...
, and Going the Distance was a bid for such success.
Plot summary
Nick (Jacot), whose life seemed to be going perfectly, realizes he may lose his girlfriend to a famous musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
(Priestley). He sets out on a roadtrip from the west coast
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
to go to the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, along with two buddies (Tyler and Dime), for the road trip
Road trip
A road trip is any journey taken on roads, regardless of stops en route. Typically, road trips are long distances traveled by automobile.-Pre-automobile road trips:...
of their lives.
Main cast
- Christopher JacotChristopher JacotChristopher Jacot is a Canadian actor.Jacot was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He attended Earl Haig Secondary School in the Claude Watson programme for drama with fellow actors Sarah Polley and Lani Billard...
... as Nick - Shawn RobertsShawn Roberts-Life and career:Roberts was born in Stratford, Ontario on April 2, 1984. He started with playing the wolf in a school play of "Little Red Riding Hood" award-winning screenwriter Robert Forsythe and his friend's father helped him get a role in Emily of New Moon...
... as Tyler - Ryan BellevilleRyan BellevilleRyan Belleville is a Canadian stand-up comedian and actor. He was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Toronto where he studied at the Humber School of Comedy, winning the Phil Hartman Award when he graduated. He was the youngest person to tape his own Comedy Now! special for CTV and also appeared...
... as Dime - Jason PriestleyJason PriestleyJason Bradford Priestley is a Canadian-American actor and director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role which catapulted him to recognition in the early 1990s....
... as Lenny Swackhammer - Joanne KellyJoanne KellyJoanne Kelly is a Canadian actress, known for her appearances in films such as Going the Distance and in TV series such as Warehouse 13, in which she plays Secret Service agent Myka Bering.- Career :...
... as Sasha - Mayko NguyenMayko NguyenMayko Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian actress. She is best known for her role as Mayko Tran on ReGenesis.- Biography :She grew up in Vancouver where she pursued her love for acting at Eric Hamber Secondary School...
... as Jill - Katheryn WinnickKatheryn WinnickKatheryn Winnick is a Canadian film and television actress.-Life and career:Etobicoke-born Winnick, who is of Ukrainian descent and speaks fluent Ukrainian, has appeared in numerous studio films including Paramount's Failure to Launch and New Line's Amusement.She has guest starred in multiple...
... as Trish - Avril LavigneAvril LavigneAvril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
... as Herself - Matt FrewerMatt FrewerMatthew "Matt" Frewer is a Canadian American stage, TV and film actor. Acting since 1983, he is known for portraying the 1980s icon Max Headroom and the retired villain Moloch in the film adaptation of Watchmen.-Life and career:...
... as Farmer Joseph - Iris GrahamIris GrahamIris Graham is a Canadian actress known for starring in the science fiction television series Alienated.In 2005, Graham was a featured player in the acclaimed psycho-thriller The Dark Hours...
... as Shy girl
Cameos
- George StroumboulopoulosGeorge StroumboulopoulosGeorge Mark Paul Stroumboulopoulos is a Canadian television and radio personality, best known as the host of CBC Television's George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and being a VJ for Canadian music television channel MuchMusic...
... as VJ - GobGob (band)Gob is a Canadian punk band from Langley, British Columbia formed in 1993, The Band consists of Tom Thacker, Theo Goutzinakis, Gabe Mantle and Steven Fairweather. Gob's most successful album is World According to Gob and their most successful song to date is I Hear You Calling...
... performing band - PrevailPrevailPrevail may refer to:*Prevail , a hip-hop artist from Vancouver*Prevail , an album by death metal band Kataklysm...
... performing band - Swollen MembersSwollen MembersSwollen Members is a Canadian hip hop group from Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada consisting mainly of the duo Mad Child, and Prevail. Frequent collaborators include vocalist Moka Only and producer Rob the Viking, an official group member since 2002...
... performing band
Soundtrack
The Going The Distance OST was available soon after the movie was released.http://www.werkshop.com/store/item.action?artist_id=327&cat_id=1&item_id=4021- Sum 41Sum 41Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
- Open Your Eyes - GobGob (band)Gob is a Canadian punk band from Langley, British Columbia formed in 1993, The Band consists of Tom Thacker, Theo Goutzinakis, Gabe Mantle and Steven Fairweather. Gob's most successful album is World According to Gob and their most successful song to date is I Hear You Calling...
- Break - The Darkness - Growing on MeGrowing on Me"Growing on Me" is a song by the glam rock band The Darkness from their album Permission to Land. It was released as a single on June 16, 2003, peaking at #11 on the UK Singles Chart.-Tracklisting:UK CD Single# "Growing On Me" - 3:29...
- JerseyJersey (band)Jersey was a Burlington, Ontario ska punk band from 1996 to 2005. In 1997, the band released a demo tape which they sold at local concerts. The band had immediate hype partially due to frontman Taylor's previous band, Grade....
- What A Wonderful World - JetJet (band)Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively...
- Cold Hard BitchCold Hard Bitch"Cold Hard Bitch" is the fourth single by the Australian rock band Jet, from their 2003 album Get Born. It was released in 2004. The song reached #1 on Billboards Hot Modern Rock Tracks, giving the band their only #1 Modern Rock hit... - Katy RoseKaty RoseKaty Rose is an American singer, songwriter, producer, musician and actress. Her music styles vary from indie rock, electro pop, grunge, pop, lounge music and techno....
- License To Thrill - ThornleyThornley (band)Thornley is a Canadian post-grunge/hard rock band formed by Ian Thornley in 2002. The band was started when Ian Thornley returned to Toronto after the breakup of his earlier band, Big Wreck. With the help of Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Thornley signed on to Kroeger's 604 Records...
- So Far So Good - Avril LavigneAvril LavigneAvril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
- Losing GripLosing Grip"Losing Grip" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne released as the fourth and last single from her multiplatinum debut album Let Go . It was released in late spring of 2003 after the success of "I'm with You". The song was written and produced by Avril Lavigne and C. Magness...
(Live In Dublin) - The TrewsThe TrewsThe Trews are a Canadian rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, consisting of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Sean Dalton...
- Not Ready to GoNot Ready to Go"Not Ready to Go" is a single from the Canadian band The Trews. It was featured as the second track on their first album, House of Ill Fame. It was the most played song on Canadian Rock Radio in 2004.-Awards and nominations:... - Swollen MembersSwollen MembersSwollen Members is a Canadian hip hop group from Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada consisting mainly of the duo Mad Child, and Prevail. Frequent collaborators include vocalist Moka Only and producer Rob the Viking, an official group member since 2002...
- Watch This - Kyprios - Sex
- Sweatshop UnionSweatshop UnionSweatshop Union is a Canadian hip hop collective formed in 2000 when four politically minded rap acts—Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander —came together "to create a powerful, distinctive voice", and to produce their first album, which was published in 2001.Known for an...
feat. Moka OnlyMoka OnlyDaniel Denton , known professionally as Moka Only, is a Canadian hip hop artist. Originally from Langford, British Columbia, near Victoria, he is now based in Vancouver. He was previously part of the hip hop group Swollen Members, and briefly a part of Len. His albums are released by Legendary...
- Better Days - Lester - Superfreak
- Motion Soundtrack - Knockin
- NickelbackNickelbackNickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
- SomedaySomeday (Nickelback song)"Someday" is the title of a song recorded by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released in August 2003 as the lead single from their 2003 album The Long Road. It reached #1 in Canada for three weeks and #7 in the United States. It also charted in the Top 10 of the UK singles chart, where it...