From school assemblies to the Olympic stage

For one St Francis Xavier College alumnus, a passion that began in the classroom has taken him around the world — capturing some of sport’s most powerful stories and producing documentaries for international audiences.

Since graduating from SFX in 2013, filmmaker and director Nicholas Arganese has built an impressive career in television and documentary production, travelling the globe and telling the stories of athletes and communities at the highest level of sport.

But the journey started much closer to home.

A passion discovered at SFX

Looking back, he credits St Francis Xavier College as the place where his love of storytelling and filmmaking truly took shape.

“My passion for storytelling, filmmaking and sport really all began back in Year 7,” he recalls.

Rather than simply completing assignments in traditional ways, he began pitching creative ideas — short films and mini-documentaries — as part of his assessment tasks.

“I remember constantly pitching short films and mini-documentaries for my creative assignments, especially in P.E. My teachers were always enthusiastic and incredibly supportive.”

With access to SFX camera equipment and editing software, he began experimenting with filmmaking techniques and developing his craft.

Many of those early projects would eventually be shown to the whole school.

“Some of the videos I created were played during my assembly speeches as school captain.”

Teachers who encouraged creativity

He says the encouragement of teachers played a significant role in shaping his confidence to pursue storytelling seriously.

Several staff members embraced his creative ideas and allowed him the freedom to explore filmmaking within the curriculum.

He credits teachers including Sue Carroll, Cathy Barry, Angus Tulley, Tony Robinson, Peter van Rijswijk, Justin Woods and Peter Marrapodi for supporting his early work and encouraging him to develop his skills.

“Their support allowed me to truly hone my craft from an early age.”

Turning passion into profession

By the time he began university, that early experience had already given him a significant head start.

“My videography skillset was already far beyond what was typical for a first-year student.”

At just 18 years old, he secured his first paid role in the industry as a part-time assistant editor, working on television documentaries.

From there, his career quickly gained momentum.

Today he is the co-owner and director of video production company Good Shout, a production house responsible for creating high-quality documentary and broadcast content.

Telling stories around the world

Through Good Shout, he has worked on productions for major broadcasters and sporting organisations including Channel Nine and FIFA.

His work has taken him across the globe, covering several Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and documenting the journeys of athletes and communities in powerful and authentic ways.

“We travel the world telling the stories of incredible people doing incredible things.”

A powerful new documentary

His latest project continues that tradition of storytelling through sport.

He recently directed a new documentary titled The Long Run, which will air on Channel Nine in June.

The film follows two of Australia’s most celebrated sporting figures — Johnathan Thurston and Lance “Buddy” Franklin — as they mentor a group of 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women preparing to run their first ever marathon.

The documentary captures the physical and emotional journey of the group as they train across remote parts of Australia before taking on one of the world’s most iconic races — the TCS New York City Marathon.

The project also shines a light on the Indigenous Marathon Project, founded by legendary Australian runner Rob de Castella, which has helped transform lives and create opportunities through running.

Through sweat, determination and powerful personal stories, The Long Run offers a moving look at resilience, culture and community.

An SFX foundation

While his career now spans continents and global sporting events, he says his foundation was built at St Francis Xavier College.

“I’m incredibly grateful for my time at SFX.”

It was there that his curiosity was encouraged, his creativity nurtured and his passion for storytelling first took shape.

And today, that same passion continues to carry him across the world — capturing stories that inspire audiences everywhere.