After three years of writing, planning and fundraising, ﾓAngelﾒs Perch,ﾔ the film based in Cass will begin filming in September.

Screenwriter J.T. Arbogast, who wrote the script about his grandmother, former Cass resident Dess Kane, and her struggle with Alzheimerﾒs Disease.

Taking his labor of love through all the steps and making it to this point has been trying for Arbogast, but it has been worth it.

ﾓItﾒs been crazy,ﾔ he said. ﾓWe took a big leap of faith the minute we said we were doing this in September ﾖ itﾒs a real leap. Itﾒs exciting. Thereﾒs a lot of underlying energy and I donﾒt know if itﾒs fear or excitement.ﾔ

Arbogast began fundraising for the film in 2011 with a Kickstarter campaign where ﾓAngelsﾔ could pledge a donation toward the film. Although the Kickstarter and other donations made a huge impact, the film does not have its full budget.

That will not stop Arbogast.

ﾓWe had a goal to meet. The ﾑeverybody gets paidﾒ kind of goal,ﾔ he said. ﾓItﾒs been tough. You have to start getting creative. We met with the director two weeks ago and talked about what to do. Our conclusion was to make it now, and it will be okay to not get paid.ﾔ

Arbogast and his partner/wife Kim have spent countless hours on the budget, cutting where they could and finding ways to use volunteers when possible.

A large portion of the budget has to be saved for the ﾓbig namesﾔ Arbogast is courting for the lead roles.

ﾓWeﾒre working on a budget level they arenﾒt used to,ﾔ he said.

Arbogast said several of the actors who have auditioned are excited about the project and are willing to work around the number on their paycheck. He said there is a way to write in the contract that instead of a salary, the actor gets a percentage of the profit.

Scrappy Cat, Arbogastﾒs production company continues to fundraise as the crew prepares for the move to Cass.

Arbogast said he is humbled and overwhelmed by the amount of support the film has received from the people and businesses of Pocahontas County.

ﾓWe are so thankful for the help weﾒve already received from the community,ﾔ he said. ﾓIt has already embraced us and we havenﾒt even started filming.ﾔ

Arbogast has been pledged assistance from the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, Snowshoe Mountain Resort and, of course, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

While major casting is taking place in Los Angeles, California, Arbogast said he will be looking for extras in the county. Some will be background actors, while others will have small speaking parts.

ﾓThere is a scene that takes place during a Cass Homecoming type of festival and we are going to have a real festival for the shoot,ﾔ he said. ﾓWe will need extras and a band to perform live.ﾔ

Arbogast said casting in the county will take place in early August, when he and the crew move to the county for the shoot.

For more information on the film or to pledge a donation, visit www.angelsperch.com