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 started using Blender, originally just to include more establishing shots of the TARDIS and various planets, but have now started building and animating spaceships, landscapes, cities and dinosaurs!
Do you use generative AI?
Not for any of the effects themselves but have occasionally used it to either extend the boundaries of a particular shot or to add subtle animation to a static image for establishing shots.
While I try to avoid using generative AI, and think it is wrong when real artists' work is used as the basis for generating any form of art, I have nothing against its use in principle as a tool for film makers to achieve their vision. And I look forward to its inevitable use in restoring missing episodes of Doctor Who.
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"What? Computer pictures... You sit in Paris and talk of computer pictures?!" - The Doctor
Why did you do these?
​​​​Back when I rewatched all of Classic Who for the 60th Anniversary in 2023 I decided to watch the versions that had updated effects. But 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 only planning on doing just a couple of stories for fun, but it grew. I started during the pandemic and have now worked my way through more than 200 episodes so far.
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While the BBC have been adding optional updated VFX to classic Doctor Who stories for many years, it's unfortunately only a handful and mostly hidden away on expensive boxsets, as are most of the shortened 'omnibus' editions. When I realised I wasn't the only one that enjoyed both updated VFX and shortened versions of the stories, I decided I'd just do my own versions which hopefully others like me can enjoy, which became the "Matrix Editions".
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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.
Are you on social media?
Yes! Please come and find me on TikTok, Bluesky and YouTube (links at bottom) where I share effects shots of works in progress and various other updates (and very occasional thoughts). I really appreciate feedback and suggestions!
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