Planetarium program will showcase the power of virtual reality

Virtual reality is fun. But many people have never had a chance to take part in the immersive experience.

For those ready to take that step, a March 31 event at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium might be exactly what they are looking for.

A free, public event from 2-3 p.m. at the planetarium will feature two virtual-reality clips shown on the planetarium’s 55-foot, immersive dome:

• “Growing Up Girl” gives viewers a chance to experience a day in the life of a Kenyan girl as she copes with extreme poverty. The video shows the young girl as she travels vast distances to fetch water, gather wood and, after dark, walk to a nearby town so she will have lights to complete her school work.

• “Be Who You Are/Love Who You Are” shows the exuberance of gay pride parades from around the world. The clip was first shown during a 2016 LGBTQ event in Louisville and was so popular attendees rated it as the best session of the conference. 

After the clips are shown, there will be a discussion about how to harness of the power of virtual reality film-making in the Louisville community.

The conversation will be facilitated by Aukram Burton, executive director of Kentucky Center for African American Heritage; Dean Otto, curator of film for the Speed Art Museum; Leo Osborne, founder of a video and digital communications firm; and Nathaniel Spencer, who runs a video services company and is a Louisville Film Commission advisory board member.