Livin’ Local positive on youth

Coverage of local entertainment events, its packaging and presentation to online viewers is expected to come with a fresh new twist, through an ambitious series aptly titled Livin’ Local. The content promises to be exciting, as communicated in the premier episode featuring emerging entertainer, Erphaan Alves. Host of the indigenous series Aaron “Local” Fingal was quick to say that information and not antics will be the show’s hallmark. It will illustrate the positive and progressive youth dynamic of T&T through the lens of the Livin’ Local team, and will be broadcast on Youtube and Facebook. Viewers are guaranteed to see sexy girls at concept parties accompanied by guys with hot bodies. During the interview segment, however, Fingal will get up close and personal with celebrities and be as probing as they will allow.

 

Three months ago, Fingal’s company Livin’ Local Entertainment partnered with Tri-Ad Studios on the project, but the idea and eventual concept had been racing through his mind for close to seven months. He is the project’s sole financier and was only able to do so with funds raised from his weekly concept event called Tun Up Tuesdays held at NuvoSera, located on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook. That was also the venue for the preview presentation of the show to sponsors on June 28. Conscious that pocket change will not go far enough to fund the project, Fingal and his well-connected peers now hope to win over corporate T&T to invest in this venture. “I did not expect it to be easy and it’s not,” he said. “I’m learning the business hands-on. Hands-on is better than anything a book can ever teach. Originally, the show was supposed to be about me, but then I realised that I could do better by going broader.” 

 

Why Livin’ Local?

The length of the show and its duration will be determined by the corporate partnerships. Fingal is convinced that not enough is being done to highlight the culture of T&T and provide youths with a medium that proudly reflects them. “When I went away (to study), I developed a greater appreciation for T&T culture. I missed home. I missed T&T. That inspired me to do the programme. It’s entertaining, but informative. I intend to be part of the entertainment life; a force to be reckoned with that people can enjoy.” Though in its infancy, Fingal hopes to make the brand a worldwide phenomenon with likely spin-offs.

 

Who is Aaron Fingal?

Fingal, 21, described himself as a charismatic and entertaining figure who is always comfortable in the spotlight. A communications and public relations major at Florida International University, Fingal believes he can connect with his generation effortlessly, on both a social and broadcasting level. “I fit the bill to host my own show,” he said. Fingal was born in the United States, where he lived for two years, before his Trinidadian mother Lisa Faria returned to live in San Fernando. At age eight, his family relocated to Glencoe, in west Trinidad. Before his successful enrolment at FIU three years ago, Fingal’s journey to a sound educational foundation began at Bishop’s Anstey Junior School, then to Fatima College.

 

 

A self-described “party-holic”, Fingal said that label was only applicable when he’s in T&T, for the much needed school break. For someone claiming to have little time to relax—between his bumper social calendar, Livin’ Local and Tun Up Tuesdays—he did not decline an invitation to join Tribe Carnival 2013 committee. “Living in T&T, from what I’ve seen and experienced is not about what you know, but who...” he said. “I grew up humble, but I’ve always been outgoing. I’m using my personality traits for the greater good. I see digital entertainment as a career. My mother is very supportive of all my endeavours. “Having the support of my family and friends helps me to achieve my goals. I’m an entrepreneur. The fact is, I’m doing everything from the ground up and making my dream come true.”