Independent filmmakers from Plant City are hiring more workers for their production, "No Postage Necessary."

  • "No Postage Necessary" being shot in Tampa Bay area
  • Filmmakers almost didn't shoot in Florida because of lack of incentives
  • Filmmakers are natives of Plant City
  • Production bringing more than 350 jobs to Bay area

Two Roads Picture Company began shooting the movie earlier this month. The movie centers around a computer "hactivist" who tries to win the heart of a young widow. Filmmakers said the production has brought more than 350 jobs to the Bay area.

It's giving Plant city natives Matt and Rachel Green a part-time paycheck.

"I've helped with cueing people, cueing extras to go in, setting up props, buying props," Matt Green said. "I've done just about everything, so that's really neat."

Plant City native and Grammy-award-winning musician Cliff Brown was also excited to be a part of the film.

"The more people you meet, the more opportunities there are," Brown said about his role as an extra in the movie.

The movie is currently looking for more extras to play roles of FBI agents and family members. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/FreshPickedTalent/?fref=nf.

Although the filmmakers are from Plant City, they almost chose to shoot the film outside of Florida because the state doesn't offer financial incentives to filmmakers.

"We go where the incentives are," Executive Producer Jennifer Closshey said. "So, when we looked at this particular one, this was the last consideration."

Other states are chipping in financial perks to lure productions like "No Postage Necessary."

Closshey said that when she produced her previous film in North Carolina, they received a 30 percent incentive.  ampa/ Hillsborough County Film Commissioner Dale Gordon said it's a constant struggle to bring films to the area.

"When you have companies and film productions that are looking at places to films, Florida is not even in the game," Gordon said.

Closshey decided to shoot in Hillsborough County after the county offered its own 10 percent incentive of $25,000. It's just a third of what they could get if they filmed in North Carolina. The production itself will cost $250,000.

Closshey said an outpouring of community support in Hillsborough County also convinced her to film the movie in Florida. It also doesn't hurt that the filmmakers and the leading actress are natives of Plant City.

"It's so wonderful to be back home, and I can honestly say I never dreamed of that," leading actress Charleene Closshey said.

Filming of "No Postage Necessary" is expected to be completed by Aug. 23. The movie is expected to be released in 2017.