NATCHEZ — The local non-profit group Film Natchez is holding to its promise to promote film education in the area through a partnership with Fallin Career and Technology Center.

Though still in the early planning stages, the Natchez Adams School District unanimously approved a partnership by Film Natchez and FCTC during a school district board meeting in October.

“We have students enrolled in our digital media and carpentry programs at Fallin and those students will be working with Film Natchez to gain field experience and allow them to apply what they learn in the classroom to the film industry,” Deputy Superintendent of Schools Zandra McDonald said.

To kick-off this program, Film Natchez Executive Director Devin Klugh and spokesman Thor Juell visited the campus earlier in the school year to give students a glimpse of what would come later on — including set visits and face-to-face interactions with filmmakers, Fallin Center Principal Cleveland Moore said.

On Saturday, Film Natchez followed through by allowing students to attend film seminars at the film studio near the Natchez Post Office, Moore said.

“They did some storytelling and studied other factors that relate to filmmaking,” Moore said. “They also informed students about the latest trends in the film industry and what our students will need to know if they want to get involved.”

Fallin Center instructor Mark LaFrancis said that during the seminar his students were inspired by director, screenwriter and novelist David Bush, who is best known for his work on “The Hunt,” “Ma” and “Jeepers Creepers III.”

“It wasn’t long after that my students were quoting Mr. Bush in class,” LaFrancis said. “… They learned that the film business is work but is wonderfully rewarding, highly creative and an avenue for fairly decent employment opportunities. … The big difference with this program is they are able to work hands-on, interact with filmmakers and learn the trade right in their own backyard.”

LaFrancis said though not every student will enter a film career, the program exposes students to a variety of different skill sets that go into each production, including editing, photography, videography, lighting, sound, carpentry and set design.

“I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. As a teacher, I’m thrilled to see my students so charged up about it,” LaFrancis said.

Moore said more field experience opportunities are in the works, including a field trip to a sitcom set in New Orleans produced by local filmmakers Tate Taylor and John Norris.

“We’re excited about this partnership, and our students are equally excited about it,” Moore said. “Even students who’ve graduated from Fallin and are studying at Alcorn are getting involved as well, so this program will have an impact on both current and past students.”