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鈥檚 55-foot, immersive dome:

  • 鈥溾 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.
  • 鈥溾 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.聽

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.

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Cindy Hess
Cindy Hess has more than 30 years of experience in communications, marketing and investor relations, including more than a decade at UofL. She is "sort of" retired but happy to come back to the Office of Communications and Marketing to help with special projects and assignments.