We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elza Zagreda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elza , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
‘After my humble beginnings in the Bronx named after my Father’…
I wanted my Production Co. to be something that reminds me of how hard my parents worked as Albanian immigrants in this country. It wasn’t easy. They had 4 kids and they had to feed and educate us. Every time I see that name I’m reminded of that and them. And I’m so proud of my parents . I’m forever grateful and thankful. They worked really hard to secure better futures for their kids in a new country. They gave me and my sisters opportunities they never had. We all went to private schools and great universities thanks to the sacrifices my parents made . One of sisters is a Dr. and the other two are working professionals.
Rocky From Da Bronx reminds me of mom and dad and their hard work. And it reinforces the importance of working hard and challenging myself. My industry isn’t easy, but the example my parents set makes me keep plugging away. And plus Rocky From Da Bronx Productions is a really catchy name ! It’s really unique.
I guarantee you no one else in the industry has it! Or comes even close to it!
Elza , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I always leaned towards the arts growing up but decided to go the professional route till college. I majored in political science at Fordham University but decided to pursue a more creative endeavor and go to NYU and get my Masters in Dramatic Writing/ Film.
Since then I’ve written 3 critically acclaimed plays: Corn Bread & Feta Cheese: Growing up FAT & Albanian, Divorce! Albanian Style, & Dating, Depression & Dirtbags: A LOVE Story.
I also made my 1st film, Growing Up FAT & Albanian based on the characters from my plays. Growing up FAT & Albanian has gone on to be featured in 20 international film festivals & winning at 10.
Currently my solo show that I wrote, star and produce, Dating, Depression & Dirtbags: A LOVE Story, is running at the prestigious Soho Playhouse downtown . It’s timely, irreverent and very funny. Audiences and critics have really loved it. It did really well at the beginning of this year and got extended. I’m so thrilled! I’m there every Tuesday till the end of May!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
With filmmaking, as George Lucas said… ‘expect the unexpected.’ As a 1st time producer & filmmaker, every day on set SOMETHING went wrong. I had a solid script, great cast & crew, spent a year with my team on producing the film…I thought I was prepared!
But nothing can prepare you for the unexpected. Like literally the day before our shoot, we almost lost our set. And then we lost our lead actress. Then we lost our musicians for a pivotal scene. All I can say is it’s those moments where you learn to pivot, think on your feet and find not only Plan B ….but C , D & E!
I had come too far to turn around & in the immortal words of Tim Gunn in Project Runway, you ‘ Make it work!’
That’s called resilience.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
As prepared as you THINK you are while making a film, you must be able to be flexible or at least look at other ways you can make something work when things start to fall apart. .
How are you going to move forward despite obstacles? And you will face obstacles EVERY day- on set, post production, screening.. so stay focused & flexible.
It won’t be easy or as perfect as you imagined, it might be even better if you keep pushing forward & ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: Elzazagreda.com & GrowingupFATalbanianmovie.com
- Instagram: Ella.zagreda & GrowingupFATandAlbanian
- Facebook: Elza Zagreda
- Linkedin: ELZA Zagreda
- Twitter: Elza Zagreda
- Youtube: Elza Zagreda
Image Credits
Elza Zagreda