One of the producers for “Fishers of Men” reeled in three new extras Thursday for the upcoming movie scheduled to be filmed in Bainbridge this summer.

Along with popcorn, old-fashioned sodas and a red carpet, employees of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit were told in detail the plot of the faith-based movie and assurances by Steven Camp, Chief Financial Officer for Desert Wind Films, that three employees of Farm Credit would be on-film extras in the movie.

With Camp picking a slip of paper out of a basket and Farm Credit Chief Executive Officer Richard Monson reading the names of the lucky employees from the Bainbridge office as other employees watched via teleconference.

The employees who will be extras are: Timmy Jackson, a relationship manager in Camilla who has been with Southwest Georgia Farm Credit for almost 23 years; Clara Booth, who is a branch operations coordinator in the Cairo branch, has worked for Farm Credit for eight years and Renee Ausley, an accountant in the Bainbridge office who has been at Farm Credit for 12 years. Booth was on vacation when the announcement was made Thursday

Ausley was applauded by her colleagues as Camp gave her a hug.

“I think it’s exciting. I’m looking forward to it,” Ausley said. She said she’s more of a singer than an actor, but was in a play during high school.

Camp was also given by Monson a check for $425, which was the first contribution to the movie’s food fund. Farm Credit’s contribution covers half of a day to feed the entire production crew.

The production crew is scheduled to be filming in Bainbridge beginning in late August or first of part of September. Camp said once filming begins, it will take more than 23 days to shoot the movie.

“We’re thrilled to be able to play a small role in the success of this movie, and we’re looking forward to seeing our employees be part of something that is sure to be remembered for years to come,” Monson said in a prepared statement.

The movie’s production

The production crew is scheduled to begin filming in Bainbridge beginning in late August or the first of part of September, Camp said.

In mid August, there will be a casting call for other extras necessary for the movie; in particular, for the 1950s high school prom scene and for the courtroom scene, he said.

Casting of the main characters continues, Camp said.

The “talent wish list” now includes John Goodman for the role of the sheriff, and country singer Alan Jackson being in the movie as his entrance into professional acting. The production company has been in contact with Goodman and Jackson, but they have not signed a contract or committed yet, Camp said.

“I’ve been in Bainbridge and Atlanta for the past five weeks securing the last bit of financing for the production budget,” Camp wrote in an e-mail Thursday to the newspaper. “I am still holding financial meetings for the next three weeks. Anyone interested in reviewing the prospectus should contact me directly. I have already raised over $150,000, or 15 percent, of the budget right here in Bainbridge and local communities.”

Camp assured the approximately 50 employees at Farm Credit Thursday that the film, produced by Desert Wind Films in Santa Clarita, Calif., is guaranteed a worldwide distribution.

He also said the movie’s premire will be in Bainbridge.

The independent film is about twin brothers whom, through a horrible chain of events, leads to one brother giving up his life for his other brother. The movie is based on a short story written by Robert Cox.

Bainbridge and Decatur County were picked for the movie’s filming because of the landmarks here, such as the Decatur County Courthouse and the Flint River.

Another plus was the success of “Fireproof,” which was produced by Sherwood Pictures, part of Sherwood Church in Albany, Ga. It had a budget of approximately $500,000, but it grossed more than $33 million. A large part of the success of “Fireproof” was how the community supported the production of the film and how word of mouth spread the desire for people to go see it.