Cameras roll on Itch for ABC ME

Filming is underway in Albany, Western Australia, on Itch –  a new live-action series for ABC ME.

The a 10-part series by Komixx Entertainment tells the adventures of Itchingham Lofte – a science obsessed teenager who pursues an unusual and sometimes dangerous hobby of collecting all the elements on the Periodic Table. When he discovers a new element with extraordinary powers he is forced to go on the run to protect it from a sinister organisation who wants it for its own ends.

The cast of relative newcomers, who mostly come from Perth, includes Samuel Ireland, Melanie Wozniak, Charles Russell, Kylah Day, Harrison Popple, Henry Mendez and Keala Kern.

Itch was developed for television by Melanie Halsall and writer Dan Berlinka (The A List), based on Simon Mayo’s best-selling teen novel of the same name. Writers include Ron Elliott, Heather Wilson, Jessica Brookman and Roger Monk.

Directors are Renée Webster (The Heights) and Nicholas Verso (Nowhere Boys, Boys in the Trees). Producers are Amanda Morrison (The Art of Ian Strange), Tania Chambers (A Few Less Men) and Melanie Halsall. Jan Stradling is the ABC Executive Producer.

Amanda Morrison, said, “This high octane, fast paced, action adventure series is aimed at primary-to-early secondary school kids. As well as being about good and evil, science, nature and the environment, Itch also champions intelligence, knowledge, courage, friendship, working together and growing up.

“The series tells us that it’s OK to be who you are and to be proud of what you excel at, whatever that may be.”

Melanie Halsall, Komixx Entertainment’s Head of Development says: “We secured worldwide film and TV rights to the Itch franchise in 2013. Since then Komixx has developed a number of best-selling adaptations that have cemented our reputation as a leading creator and producer of young adult content.”

ABC Acting Head of Children’s Libbie Doherty says: “Itch is a fantastic adaptation of Simon Mayo’s successful novel that explores from all angles the ethical dilemma of humans’ impact on the environment. Albany WA is the perfect cinematic backdrop for this high concept thriller that will challenge and stimulate the ABC ME audience. We are also very excited about the incredible cast making their screen debuts.”

Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe said  “This smart, cleverly scripted series is a wonderful addition to a long list of awesome productions set in our State’s stunning Great Southern region over the past 12-months.”

Filming will take place across Albany (where Lockie Leonard also filmed!) and the Great Southern Region of Western Australia, as well as Perth. Itch will air in 2020.

Production credit: Itch is a Komixx Entertainment and Feisty Dame Productions production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund. Financed with support from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC Commercial holds worldwide distribution rights.