NATCHEZ — Austin Tait carefully looked into a video camera Tuesday and told Adams County Christian School headmaster David King to move right just a hair.

“Right there,” he said just as King got settled.

Tait and his classmates were recording a promotional video for ACCS in their film and photography class featuring King speaking about the school.

The class is in its third year and has become a popular fine arts elective.

“We decided to create a class that would provide practical knowledge, but would also allow the students to produce high quality photos and videos,” said class teacher Mark LaFrancis. “We have done a number of short videos and have shot thousands of photos.”

The students in the class take a hands on approach with the material, setting up everything from the lights to the cameras and even directing the shoot itself.

“I like to let them be in control,” LaFrancis said. “I like to pull away and let them handle it.”

The class is working with green-screen technology for the video and will eventually edit the project and superimpose images from around school behind King and use his voice as voice-overs in some spots.

“This is important to get right,” LaFrancis said. “This could be used as a great recruiting tool.”

The popularity of the class has grown as time progresses and many students are now beginning to take interest in the subject.

“I’ve been wanting to take pictures for a while now,” said ACCS student Andrew Porter. “My brother took this class before, and he strongly suggested it to me.”

The class has even caught the eyes of headmaster King.

“It is just amazing,” he said. “I come in here and marvel at some of the things these kids can do, that the average high school kid isn’t exposed to. If these kids want to pursue this, the things they have learned has got them so far ahead of the game.”

The class is also responsible for ACCS Live, which broadcasts some of the school’s sporting events.

Tait hopes that one day the class members will be able to extend their reach even further.

“I would like to do all the sports and have everyone watch,” he said.

LaFrancis said the class is one of two or three he knows of in the state, with King adding he is proud to have the opportunity to offer the class at ACCS.

“When I had the opportunity to have Mark LaFrancis come out here, it was such a blessing,” King said. “It is one of a handful of programs in the state.”