ILYSSA GOODMAN DISRUPTS THE SYSTEM AND MAKES A FILM ON HER OWN TERMS

After achieving a measure of success in Hollywood as producer of the popular Cinderella Story" franchise for Warner Bros, Ilyssa Goodman is now parlaying her award-winning track record into a successful directing career starting with her latest film “The Standoff”.

Goodman is being lauded for not only getting stellar performances from her young cast, but for using a single location for nearly the entire film, while juggling multiple storylines and keeping the film fluid; not an easy task for even a veteran director.

“The Standoff” revolves around a group of teens determined to win a flashy new car at Big Jim’s Auto Depot , but there is one rule: You cannot take your hand off the car. The last man or woman still standing after two days wins the prize. That sounds simple enough, but sleep deprivation and fierce determination tests their limits.

However, despite great word of mouth calling the film a “Breakfast Club” for the Millennials, Goodman, along with Lee Dunlap, her co-producer and writer on the Cinderella Story series, decided that she wasn’t interested in business-as-usual Hollywood protocol; so the two set out to change the rules of the game to their own benefit for the film’s success.

“The Standoff” had a wide multi-platform and DVD release from Sony in September. The impressive number of current teen celebs who turned out for the premiere indicate that Goodman’s sensibility is in sync with today’s young fans. She assembled a high profile cast of TV idols such as Disney Channel star and pop sensation Olivia Holt, Award-winning actor and star of the upcoming “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Ryan McCartan, Actor, Musician and Nickelodeon star Alex Wolff, Actress/Comedian Syndey Park, and "Days of Our Lives" star Chandler Massey.

Born and raised on the outskirts of New York City, Goodman began her career working for Miramax Films before heading to Los Angeles to work in development at Universal Studios. She eventually landed a post as Vice President of Filmed Entertainment for Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment, where she oversaw the production of dozens of successful television movies and several award-winning independent films. Goodman moved on to a position with the Animal Planet Network and later headed up global distribution for animation studio, RGH Entertainment.

Now she intends to build upon her directing resume and is actively looking at scripts for her next project. While she enjoys working in the teen and family arena, Goodman is looking to bring her unique perspective to other genres possibly including the action genre.

“I’m open for business and game for anything,” Goodman shares. “Just call me and we’ll talk.”