College Celluloids on the Way, Says Newly Elected Head of Veritas Films

Harvard movies written, produced, directed, and acted by undergraduates-are just around the corner.

This prediction came last night as the first official statement by William L. Alden '50, newly-elected president of Veritas Films, the all-student project for the production of College cinema now going into-its final organizational stages.

In a meeting in Leverett House Junior Common Room, more than thirty members of the new group chose an executive board of five from a slate of seven nominees. In addition to Alden, those elected were: as Secretary-Treasurer, Warren Vander Maas '49; as members-at-large, Rudolf A. M. Roemer '49, Burton Benedict '45, and Charles M. Zane '50.

Gets Council O.K.

At the same time, final approval of the organization's constitution was given by the Student Council, who will recommend its authorization by the faculty.

Alden declined to set an exact date for release of the first movie, but said that it would probably not be available until early next term. "We are now in the final organizational processes," he explained, "and are still welcoming all those interested in-any side of movie production-writing, directing, acting, and so forth-at our headquarters in Leverett F-32."

Productions by Veritas, Films, Alden continued, will probably average about forty minutes, and will be accompanied by music but no sound track.

"We are fortunate in having as cameramen several veterans who were highly-trained in photographic techniques by the Army," he noted, adding that "many of them have brought along their own very useful equipment."

Scenario Completed

A scenario for the initial film has been completed under the direction of Roemer, who was assisted by Ulric G. Neisser '50 and Murray L. Lerner '48. Alden described the script as a "comic fantasy, tentatively entitled, 'Touch of the Times,' which will utilize local scenery whenever possible." Most of the Veritas shooting will be done outdoors, he added.

Terming the new venture "the first of its kind, to my knowledge, in collegiate circles," Alden disclosed that he has contacted Smith, Yale, and Dartmouth in regard to showing Veritas productions at those colleges, and received favorable replies from all.

Announcement of the first casting of student actors for the group's initial offering will be made in the near future, Alden said, stressing the fact that parts in all branches of the organization are still open to the whole College.