Director has high hopes for rom-com

10:57am Monday 21st July 2008

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AN ambitious Stourport man has taken the internet by storm with a comedy series.

The London Affair, co-written and directed by Nick Jones, 28, has been viewed more than 1.7 million times on social networking website, Bebo.

The five part series of five minute episodes is a romantic comedy telling the story of a group of people who are all connected through the Kismet Kafe in London.

The episodes have been such a success that a series of 60 episodes is on the cards. Nick and his partner in the Grass Roots Media company, Nellie McQuinn, need to secure funding first, however, through sponsorship and product placement.

Nick explained: “The other shows on Bebo have the backing of large production companies like Endemol behind them, but our company is basically just the two of us, so we have almost no funds to play with.”

“The five episodes were made on a shoestring budget, with none of the actors taking part getting paid.

“They didn’t mind, though, because we all hope this is a stepping stone to bigger things. When we’re established and making series, they’ll get paid then.”

The BBC have shown interest in the series and Nick said talks are “at a preliminary stage”, with the possibility of the show making the BBC website or even television.

Although The London Affair is a “rom-com”, Nick said he has ambitions to make dramas and thrillers too. He added: “I’m influenced a lot by Richard Curtis’ work like Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, as you can see in The London Affair, but I also have strengths in other areas.

“In a few years time I really hope to be making bigger budget dramas for television.”

The show can be viewed at www.bebo.com/thelondonaffair