Outside the Frame and Open Signal present Full Circle: 360° Films by Houseless Youth at OMSI’s Kendall Planetarium, 1945 SE Water Ave., Thursday, June 2, 6:15 and 7 pm. Immerse yourself in five, one-of-a-kind 360° films by young people who have experienced houselessness. Enjoy free food and refreshments with the filmmakers, 6-8:30 pm.
During the long pandemic winter of 2021, Outside the Frame and Open Signal collaborated to teach immersive media production to 12 young artists who have experienced houselessness. The five featured films are the result of these workshops and focus on Portland places that hold meaning for the youth filmmakers, inviting the viewer to see the world through their eyes.
Masks reveals what living with schizophrenia really feels like, Hibiscus explores the challenges of contemporary Black life and In One of My Names is Bash, a Black queer woman provides a view of her first apartment, portraying emotions tied to the space.
Attendees will view the films through virtual reality (VR) headsets, an experience Jeff Oliver, who served as Open Signal’s lead for this partnership, says, “…creates a solitary experience for the viewer, while the planetarium will give us an opportunity to watch the films together.”
Local VR company ForeverVR provided additional editing and educational support.
Outside the Frame trains homeless and marginalized youth to be directors of their own films and lives. Young people who are experiencing homelessness are provided a creative outlet, job training, a public platform, a sense of dignity and possibility.
Open Signal is a media arts center offering workshops, an equipment library, artist residencies and five cable channels programmed with locally produced content. With commitment to creativity, technology and social change, they make media production possible for communities underrepresented in the mainstream. Their past explorations with immersive media make for unique storytelling.
Advance tickets, available at , are recommended. Tickets are sliding scale with all donations split between Outside the Frame and Open Signal to support free programs for underrepresented storytellers. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
