Questions
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard" - The Doctor
What are the Matrix Editions?
These are shortened edits of classic Doctor Who serials that include updated visual effects using free software. My intention is to edit each story into approximately hour-long episodes (varying between around 45-70 minutes long). Six-part stories are split into two parts.
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Each episode contains new VFX where appropriate, even if there's only a single effects shot, and some contain new sound effects.
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For now I'm only going to edit colour serials that have been upscaled into HD and released on Blu-ray.​
What do you use to create the effects?
I began by using the free version of the video editing and visual effects software called Hitfilm, but I switched to using the free version of DaVinci Resolve, which is an all-in-one post production suite used by professional film makers.
I also use Blender, mainly to include more establishing shots of the TARDIS and various planets.
Why did you do these?
The BBC have been adding optional updated VFX to classic Doctor Who stories for many years, but very slowly and not for every story.
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​Back when I was planning to rewatch all of classic Who for the 60th Anniversary in 2023 I wanted to watch the versions that had updated effects. Disappointed by how few there were, I thought I'd have a go at adding some myself with some software I'd been using for video editing. I was planning on doing just a couple of stories but then it grew. I started during the pandemic and have worked my way through more than 150 episodes so far.
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The Matrix Editions came about because while watching all the classic episodes in 2023 I realised how much extraneous material could easily be cut to make the stories easier (and quicker!) to watch.
There were also many stories with just a couple of effect shots that I hadn't touched yet.
Do you work for the BBC?
No, I'm not affiliated with the BBC in any way and I have no professional experience with VFX or video production. I'm just an impatient fan!
Will you add the new effects for the Matrix Editions to the full-length stories
Unlikely. All of my spare time and energy will be spent on the Matrix Editions for the foreseeable future. I will also be slowly deleting the full-length stories as I make Matrix Editions of the the stories to free up expensive online storage space.
Why are they called 'Matrix' editions?
I've always had a head-canon that the versions of reality we see when watching Doctor Who are seen through the lens of the Matrix - the Time Lord's repository of all their experiences - and don't necessarily reflect the events precisely as they happened (like in 'Trial of a Time Lord'). That reality can change based on how the Matrix displays it to us - so these edits are a variation of that reality (which is the 'true' reality is not for me to say :-)).
Yes, I might have overthought that.
Will you do Blake's 7
If it ever gets a Blu-ray release... I'll give it a go!
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