Meet Dario Trovato, Italian, a videomaker/sound designer, loves beer

Locals I love is back,  and this week we are getting to know Dario, a guy I met while working at Nana Bianca in Florence. A talented videomaker who is part of Balzo, a 4-person team making video game apps and doing a pretty great job at it. Personally it is always refreshing to meet young people in Italy chasing their dreams and coming up with fresh, new ideas since it’s a lot harder to put them into practice here rather than other parts of the world. Without further ado – let’s grill Dario!

How long have you lived in Florence and where are you from originally.
I’m from Cagliari (Sardinia) and I actually moved to Florence three times in my life. The first time (2006) was to attend a Masters Program, then I went to Rome. The second time (2007) I moved to Florence was to work in an animation studio, then I went to Brussels. The third time (2009) I moved to Florence was when I came back from Brussels and I didn’t know where to go 😛

That’s as sound a reason as any! What brought you to bella Firenze and why did you decide to stay
After Brussels I was temporarily in Sardinia and a friend of mine called me to help him with a job, then I chose to stay.

What are you up to in Florence? Work, daily life, passions?
I work with my friends @ Balzo (we make Video Games!) and I try to film as many videos as I can, I like to play music by myself and also with my friends (guitar and synthesizers). I also like to watch movies.

The Balzo Team

What annoys you about Florence? Tell me the truth!
Sometime there is really nothing to do.

Well that depends on who you ask. 😉 Do you think life in Italy is for everyone? Why does it work for you?

I don’t know, the climate is great but there is a lot of things to experience, especially for young people. I was born in Italy and I’m part of the culture, you should ask to someone who’s not Italian.

It’s definitely not a question for everyone :). What advice would you give a newbie?
If you want to live in Florence you need a bike.

Three finds/places everyone should know about in Florence?
Florence deserves way more than just three places that everyone should know about. It’s literally full of history and unique places. Plus, you cannot understand florence without visiting all of Tuscany so put on your shoes and start discovering.

That’s a great point, especially about visiting all of Tuscany to understand Florence. I 100% agree. What’s the weirdest thing you have seen/experienced in Italy?
Unfortunately our government is a mess and I can’t watch news on tv without being astonished…

What can you do here and nowhere else?
have a good espresso (I mean, in Italy).

How did you make friends and assimilate?
I like to participate in music and video projects. It’s a good way to meet interesting people.

Favorite food {or recipe}.
Pizza and lasagna and Bistecca Fiorentina.

If you had to make up a tagline for the city – what would it be? 😉 be creative!
Feel the art

—

Thank you so much Dario for answering my questions so honestly. I wish you and the Balzo Team the best of luck with all of your projects and don’t forget to keep me posted!