UA Little Rock Student’s Documentary Shines Light on Forgotten Campus Landmarks

Two of UA Little Rock’s most overlooked landmarks, the campus observatory and planetarium, are getting a second chance in the spotlight thanks to a short documentary created by graduating student Adrian Rogers.

As his final project for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Rogers, a recent mass communication graduate, produced “Mothball,” an eight-minute film that takes viewers behind the scenes of two astronomy landmarks, one which has recently been revived and the other awaiting its second act.

“I wanted to tell a story about abandoned buildings on campus,” Rogers said. “When I talked with Sandra Vail, she brought up the term mothball to describe buildings that had been closed off. I thought it was a very interesting term that I really liked for the name of the documentary.”

The documentary features interviews with Sandra Vail, director of operations and services for Facilities Management; Mike Seamon, assistant director of operations; and Dr. Greg Guisbiers, associate professor of physics and astronomy. Their voices guide viewers through the campus’s recent revival of the observatory, which was brought back to life after the excitement of the 2024 total solar eclipse, and its still-dormant counterpart, the planetarium, which will be undergoing the first phase of renovations this year.

“The observatory renovation was only the first step,” Guisbiers said. “Now that it has been completed, people can see that with a small amount of money strategically invested, a lot can be achieved. Phase one of the planetarium renovation will be completed this summer. I really hope this documentary spreads throughout the community so we can gather more support to complete phase two. Overall, this documentary is a testimony of what we are trying to achieve in Physics and Astronomy at UA Little Rock.”

For Rogers, the contrast between the two spaces created a natural tension, and every good documentary needs a conflict. While the observatory has been renovated and reopened, the planetarium remains mothballed, waiting to be cleared out so an inflatable planetarium provided by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium can be installed for the public to enjoy.

“When I arrived on campus in 2020, the observatory was closed to the public. It felt like this magical, mysterious place no one could reach,” Rogers said. “The planetarium is even more hidden. Most people don’t even know it exists. I think the different perspectives, especially Mike Seamon’s story of how he resonated with the planetarium when he was young, adds an interesting point of view and momentum to the story.”

Guisbiers said he hopes the documentary helps attract support for ongoing renovation efforts at the university.

“This was a great experience. I really enjoyed it,” Guisbiers said. “I was able to share with Adrian my vision for the department. I am passionate about physics and astronomy, and I really care for this department.”

Rogers, who studied documentary filmmaking while studying abroad in Australia, spent nearly two years researching, filming, and editing the project to spotlight the potential these spaces still hold.

“I like showing how the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is growing,” Rogers said. “The observatory is an example of that growth. It has the potential to grow even more with the planetarium.”