A GROUP of Redditch film makers recently received a visit from a special guest from the USA.

Film company Big Frog Films, based in the town centre, is currently filming scenes for an upcoming horror Penny for the Guy.

The film, which started out as an 18 minute short (available to view on YouTube) was spotted by American producer Gil Ponce who has given the company the funds to turn it into a full-length feature.

Gil, founder of filmmakers tool suite Cinelaya, flew in from Seattle for a week to join the team on-set and to lend a helping hand.

He joined Nigel Buckley, Mark Wallace and Carla Buckley from the company for a 24-hour shoot in Stoke Prior where they filmed scenes set in the late 1800s and centred around a Romany travellers camp.

Although the film is set in present day Redditch, writer, producer and star of the film Carla Buckley remains tight-lipped about the scene itself.

“Being able to expand the short into a full length film has enabled me to be really creative with the story and we’ve had so much help and support from our wonderful crew and amazing actors," she said.

"The Romany traveller scene forms part of a flashback moment in the film which helps tell the story of my character Imelda. I shall say no more than that.”

The company has also been spotted filming in and around Redditch town centre with local actress and writer Brooke Venables.

It is hoped that filming will be finished later this year with a release date set for sometime in 2018.