He’s the creative genius behind the Pacific pageants’ viral videos.
Driven by a passion to preserve the richness of Pacific culture, Arran Rogers has utilised the digital realm to leave his mark in Pacific storytelling.
Born and raised in Samoa, hailing from the villages of Fagaloa and Saleimoa, Arran is of Samoan and British descent.
In recent years, the 26-year-old has been capturing the behind the scenes of the Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands pageants. His unique approach not only catapulted the views but brought a fresh and unique perspective of Pacific storytelling to the forefront.
Arran’s most popular project was documenting the inspiring journey of Moemoana Safa’atoa Schwenke, the former Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands. The coverage garnered global attention, showcasing Moemoana’s achievements and further elevating the visibility of Pacific talent and heritage.
“It was humbling to realise that the videos were inspiring people,” Arran says.
“I received messages from viewers saying they felt closely connected to the journey or were inspired to learn more about their culture.”
Arran’s work highlights not only the glitz and glamour of pageantry, but the vital role our Pacific women play in their communities.
For Arran, portraying Pacific women in a positive and empowering light was of utmost importance, ensuring their strength, leadership, and cultural influence are celebrated worldwide.
“Pacific women have been a massive part of my upbringing, so that responsibility meant a lot to me,” he says.
“I knew there was a lot of responsibility in showcasing Moemoana’s journey, staying true to her story and making sure nothing would come off negatively. It was about capturing the real emotions, the community, and the love.”
And the love reached far beyond what Arran had anticipated. Positive admiration and gratitude poured in from all over the Pacific, with many thanking Arran for providing a window into what the Pacific pageants entail.
“I made sure the stories I told captured the spirit of the Pacific. Our people are more than what you see on the surface. They have depth, spirit and strength, and that’s what I want to capture,” he says.
Delving deeper into Arran’s creative mind, his editing style is rooted in fluidity – he compares it to a dance. From the shots and transitions to the sound, every element is intricately woven into the final edit, creating a seamless flow that powerfully tells a story. He works closely with musician RJ Temareti, who produced all of Moemoana’s video soundscapes. The pair’s combined talents have become a signature of artistry, leaving a lasting impact and inspiring creativity across the Pacific.
“There was a lot of pressure to deliver content quickly, which at times made me feel like I was part of the competition myself,” Arran shares.
“But that pressure fuelled me and I gave it everything I had to deliver something real and heartfelt.”
“With Moemoana, a unique aspect was documenting her journey with her parents and the community, especially the children, who played a big part in her story.”
Despite not having formal training in filming, Arran’s journey serves as a testament to the power of determination and self-learning. His love for capturing moments started at the age of 15 when he first received a go pro. Documenting the island life that surrounded him became his first form of content. But it wasn’t until lockdown where he fully embraced his creativity and love for filming.
Through recording online classes for Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts, Arran realised that videography was a powerful tool for preserving Pacific culture.
“Our ancestors have been telling stories for generations and I feel like I’m continuing that legacy with digital storytelling,” he says.
“I believe our Pacific cultures are a blueprint for the rest of the world to follow.”
The young creative says working with mentors across the Pacific and taking on passion projects helped him get to where he’s at today. Aside from his pageantry work, he’s filmed for Fresh TV, ABC Pacific and even for some NRL athletes.
His most recent works include two music videos for Pacific musicians Myshaan and Miss American Samoa, Pauliana Felise-Vitale.
His advice for inspiring creatives is to seek out mentors and form collaborations.
“Being a successful videographer means you take collaboration over competitiveness. Use what’s available to you. Creativity thrives when you work with what you have, your culture and your environment.”
With his lens always focused on the future, Arran hopes to one day set foot on a film set. In the meantime, he remains dedicated to capturing and celebrating the stories that shape our Pacific communities, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come – one shot at a time.
