Ivy Films Produces Comedy Skit; Begin Casting Monday

Casting for a new Ivy Films production will begin Monday, John Alexander '52, publicity director of the organization announced last night.

The fil me, alled "Project 109" until a title is found, will be short comedy on the difficulties of studying, accenting the struggles of a student against distractions. The script, written by Richard D. MacCann 4G, requires much of the action to be pantomime and calls for an unseen narrator.

Project 109, unlike its predecessor "A Touch of the Times," will not attempt any social message. It will be a straightforward humorous sketch, in the style of the late Robert Benchley, according to Alexander. In the prologue to the film author MacCann will give a dedication and his "limited apologies" to Benchley.

The new undertaking is the first project of Ivy Films since "A Touch of the Times" was produced last year. The group has spent the months since its last production training camera technicians, directors and producers to fill the less glamorous, but very vital publicity, business, and administrative posts.

Coming Executives Tested

In a recent competition to determine potential executives, teams of a camera technician, a director, and a production man were organized to make two-and-a-half-minute shorts. The staff for the production is headed by Harrison L. Blair '51, producer; Leo Bersani '52, director; Harold Klinger '51, cameraman. Veterans of the first enterprise will aid in an advisory capacity.

Included in the preparation for the coming production was a series of films and talks. The works and speakers selected emphasized the techniques used in great Hollywood films, and the intrinsic artistry necessary for effective photography. Historic films by Griffith, De Mille, and other directors were shown or discussed.

Cinema Greate Speak

Gloria Swanson, former cinema great, John Alton, MGM Cameraman, and Jean R. Debrix, eminent French movie critic were among the better known speakers.

Ivy Films is already making plans for another production, larger than "Project 109," to be produced next Fall. The script for this production is now in the process of revision, and all pre-shooting work is expected to end by this spring.