Film makers make a stand for funding

So they've decided to raise the £5,000 budget for their "romantic comedy" Missed Connections through small donations, ranging from £10 to over £500.

Writer and director Chris, 21, tried selling the idea to heckling midnight gawpers on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth on July 22, and now he's hoping to attract Wharfers as well.

He said: "We're hoping the people who work in Canary Wharf will get involved in something like this. We're hoping to take donations from companies as well as individuals.

"It's a great conversation starter at parties. Everyone gets something back from it. It's not like we take your money and you never hear from us again."

For just £10, film funders can see their name on the credits and download the finished film when it finishes its festival run in early 2011. Packages go up to the £500 executive producer credit, which gives you your own IMDB profile, a walk-on part, two screening tickets, a DVD and signed script.

So what sort of film will you be helping to create? Missed Connections tells the tale of Jamie, who's so amused by the futility of the local paper's Missed Connections column that he starts replying to every single lonely heart himself.

Chris said: "It's a rom com for people that don't like rom coms, or just romance in general. It's a very cynical but heartfelt thing."

Oleg and Chris formed the production company Paper Sun Films in June, two years after meeting at the London Film Festival. They hope to take their first film to festivals around the world, and plan to unveil it at the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival next year.

Producer Oleg, 21, revealed the pair were "more than likely" to film scenes in Greenwich once shooting begins in October, and he is confident despite the current financial climate.

He said: "It's possibly trickier to drum up interest, but if you have a good enough script and you're passionate about the project it's the quality of the film that gets you the funding."

Chris' web-streamed turn on the plinth earned him donations from England, France and the US, but it was a hard sell for the Londoner.

He said: "It's surprisingly difficult to pitch a film when there are people shouting at you constantly. But the hour tends to go by fairly quickly."

Go to papersunfilms.co.uk or see Chris' hour on the plinth at oneandother.co.uk/participants/chrispresswell

What you get for your money:

£10 - Special thanks credit

* Name on closing credits
* A download of the finished film
* Monthly email updates
* Letter of thanks

£25 - Associate producer

* Name on credits
* DVD of film with bonus material
* Additional download
* Monthly updates/letter of thanks

£100 - Producer

* Your own IMDB profile
* Signed copy of script
* Name on credits
* DVD of film with bonus material
* Additional download
* Monthly updates/letter of thanks

£500 - Executive producer

* An invitation to the set and a walk-on role
* Two invites to a festival screening of your choice
* Profile page on Paper Sun website
* Your own IMDB profile
* Signed copy of script
* Name on credits
* DVD of film with bonus material
* Additional download
* Monthly updates/letter of thanks