NY Elite: Congratulations on being an ISC finalist. What does it mean for your work to be selected at the International Screenwriting Competition in New York? 

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: Thank you …Undoubtedly, the selection of “Unaza” as a finalist in this competition is significant for me, and I am thankful and happy … ” The Ring ” is a project that took me, and I gave it a lot of time, because it is a delicate topic , a story that still bleeds. For all communist countries, peoples who have experienced dictatorship know what the lack of freedom means. My confrontation as a screenwriter and “The Rig” as a screenplay , having so many different feeds from different countries and cultures, make me understand not only the degree of competition but also the degree to which the product (screenplay) has reached, but they also give me an impetus for continuity and achievement. . I feel grateful and extremely confident that this competition is a great window for any screenwriter to prove himself and his work, giving the writer another assessment, as a “passport” of achievement.

NY Elite: Can you tell us about the work that you participated with at ISC? What is the story about? 

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: My screenplay is titled “The Ring”. Is a true story, not only of me personally, but of all those who have tried in the skin the weight of a dictatorial system .

A combined event of two systems, of the most brutal dictatorship in Europe and the most fragile democracy. A story love, is interrupted in the unforeseen moment. The girl discovers, the real killer of her father. Crimes committed on behalf of the system by individuals who have not yet been held accountable for what they have done.

NY Elite: Can you tell us yourself and your artistic talents? 

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: I graduated in fashion design, but I did some training and courses in the field I like the most …cinematography. I am the author as a stylist, screenwriter of the biggest fashion show in Albania “100 red and black models in 100 years of independence”. I am the author of several novels :

‘’The language of a lady’’   

The novel  ‘’Broken Return’  

The novel “Double Murder’’

The novel ‘’Contract’’                        

The novel  ‘’Prostitute’’  

NY Elite: What scripts have you written so far?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: I am the screenwriter of several screenplays:

“Innocent Life” Short film 20 “ from ‘’Metronomy production’ (2013); “Fatal Eye’’ Medium Feature Film  43”  in collaboration with  JAM FILM PRODUCTION Switzerland (2014); “Yaşam Sınırı” ( Life’s Limit ) Feature Film 110”  based on the novel “Contract” cooperation in Turkey.(2016); ‘’Secrets’’ based on the  2017 novel “Broken Back”; “Güneşin Batısında” (IN THE WEST OF THE SUN) provisional title, a television series serial in Turkey ‘’Bolero in the elders’ house’’ based on the novel ‘’Bolero in the elders’ house’’ by Fatos Kongoli. Feature Film with  Eclipse SA Film Production 2019; “Skin of a Dog  “Feature Film in collaboration with SAE-Trimex in Progress; Serial ‘’Forgotten Bloodshed’’ based on ‘’Double Kill’’ in process  collaboration  with Albanian Television.

While I am working on another script, which resembles another theme, for me very delicate .. my main character is of the autistic spectrum.

NY Elite: Top 3 favorite projects that you have been involved in?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: Three titles, three topics that have nothing to do with each other, worked in different countries, with different cultures.

1-“The fatal eye ” a collaboration with ‘IAM Production’ (Switzerland)

2-“Border of life” a collaboration with Turkey. This is one of the most special projects, because it has been developing in totally unfavorable conditions, bringing the tragedy of a people- Aleppo /Syria.

3- “Bolero in the elder’s house” collaboration with “Eclipse SA Production Film” Albania.

NY Elite: What type of scripts do you want to write in your career?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: I like real events, really touched, because my characters have to be tangible, because the topics I address should definitely have a message. I am focused on drama .. I adore this genre, because it highlights what is very deep in the soul … To feel your pain is normal, to feel (and raise in art) the pain of another, it makes you more mostly man …

NY Elite: As a writer, what is the most important aspect of building a character?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: A complete character, helps to succeed in life, it determines how well you achieve your goals, if others want to deal with you or how you fit into groups. When you work hard and are determined to achieve your goals, you can become more successful and confident in what you do. This is exactly what I do with my characters, because I need my characters to be alive, to be ‘trustworthy’. I try very hard to build an inner ‘cosmos’ of my characters. I think it is very important for every writer to live with his characters, to stay there seeing and understanding their history, their motives and dreams, giving them breath, life. It is very difficult for me not to be empathetic towards my characters, even if they make mistakes… I have to keep in mind that each character can represent real people, each of us can find parts of the soul within a character. As such, this is a great responsibility for my friends, for ‘my neighbor’ – as Moses said… 

NY Elite: What projects are you currently working on?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: Currently I am working on two projects, in collaboration with Eclipse SA Film Production.

1. “The Dog’s Skin” a screenplay that has already won the right of development from The National Cinema Center of Albania, along with two coproducers from France and Kosovo, and we are still looking…
2. The Script of a Tv Series ‘The Forgotten Vendetta’ (10 series original screenplay), which is now near finishing of the first draft and negotiating with RTSH (Albanian Public Television In the meantime the producers Spartak Pecani & Agim Halili are looking for another support from other countries, especially for the shooting that will take place out of Albania (30-35% of the total shooting time), perhaps in Czechia or Italy.
3. I’m looking forward to “The Ring,” an original screenplay that is now debuting as a screenplay. The motive of this year that has just entered and is primary is “The Ring” …

NY Elite: Do you express yourself creatively in any other ways?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: Art is my food, it’s me. I spend every day of my life writing (novels), designing (fashion) and most importantly, writing and rewriting screenplays … Because a screenplay is like outdated champagne, The longer it stays. in the hands of the screenwriter, working and reworking, the more value it gets mi The film has brought out the best in me because I breathe. through him.

NY Elite: What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a career in filmmaking/writing?

Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj: A screenwriter has the good fortune to raise the human soul in art …

The film is born for the first time on the screenwriter’s desk, so the first thing that matters is finding … “the detail makes the difference.”. The difference that distinguishes us from others, should not be like all others … History, philosophical, artistic, special unfolding of the event, symbolic. however the scenario is only the first connection … but all the components must be in function of each other … True script perfection goes beyond great characters, compelling plots, compelling stories, and intriguing concepts – and it certainly goes beyond great dialogue. The highest level of perfection that a screenwriter can achieve within his screenplay is Catharsis. What does Catharsis mean in psychology?

Catharsis is a concept in psychoanalytic theory where the emotions associated with traumatic events come to the surface. In today’s cinematic interpretation, catharsis can be translated as the feeling we feel after resolving the protagonist’s story and overall journey. Therefore, make the protagonist, the story, the screenplay, turn you as a screenwriter into a protagonist of time and cinematography. Art is like the work of pregnancy, it must reach maturity, come to light. Writing a screenplay is lucky by God, because you have the great opportunity to live not only your life, but also the life and history that you build. Therefore, research, develop the idea and together with it develop in research, training. Face you and your project with competitions and festivals. Make your work readable and knock in the eyes of directors and producers. Make the right choices, work, work and work again.