Starr Lehl, a former mayor of Gering who works for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and serves as western Nebraska representative for the governor, helped the Coen brothers scout locations.

“Laurie called me and said she had some folks who are looking for rolling hills,” Lehl said. “Oh, my gosh, we have that.”

She said the Coen brothers, when they visited in May, fell in the love with the site, which has wide-open vistas unmarked by modern civilization, and the rancher on whose land the filming will take place.

“They got out the car and said, ‘Wow. This is exactly what we are looking for,’ ” Lehl said.

She said the economic impact on the region will be substantial, with more than 150 motel rooms needed for a couple of weeks. Support services — like food, portable toilets, tents and tables — are also being obtained locally.

As for the extras, a press release from the producers said they are looking for “men with beards and mustaches, women with long hair (not obviously dyed hair, no highlights), and families with children older than 10.”

The extras will fill nonspeaking positions, and costumes will be provided.