Understanding how visual codes such as long-shots, close-ups, and camera angles affect meaning helps prepare young filmmakers to plan their own productions. The concepts embedded could also be used to analyze photographs and paintings.

Students write, direct, produce and star in a morning news show to be aired live to the student body three days a week. Fourth graders are the show's anchors amd fifth graders man the production equipment.

Students gain knowledge of the basics of visual communication. They are introduced to the three fundamental elements of visual language. Those are: camera angle, lighting, and compositions. Students video each other from different angles...