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via the Doctor Who Facebook Page:

Fancy having a go at writing an episode of Doctor Who or learning more about acting on screen? Check out the National Institute of Dramatic Art’s Doctor Who themed courses in January (there’s also a $50 discount if you book before the end of today):

Screen Acting - http://bit.ly/VkahBC
Write a Doctor Who episode - http://bit.ly/YAfdKa

Did you know that Spearhead from Space is the only Classic Who story that can be remastered into genuine HD?

Originally broadcast in January 1970, the story features John Pertwee’s first outing as the Third Doctor and was the first colour production of the iconic series.

A scene-shifters strike at Television Centre in 1969 meant that the entire story was filmed on location using 16mm film rather than recording to video tape, which allowed the team at BBC Studios & Post Production to remaster the story.

Working with the 16mm format meant BBC S&PP’s Digital Media Services lead colourist Jonathan Wood took a different approach to the grading of Spearhead from Space. He explains: “The look of this HD remaster is a low-key filmic approach, which gives it more of a dramatic result. Working with the original negative and using a powerful non-linear grading system, we decided to treat this four-part story like an individual filmed drama rather than thinking of it as part of an ongoing series normally shot in a TV studio.”

If you happen to nerd out about this stuff like we do, click the link for more.

Good news everybody! This year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special is going to air on Christmas!

via Radio Times:

Doctor Who’s festive special will air on Christmas Day at 5.15pm on BBC1 in an hour-long slot, the BBC has confirmed. 

The episode, entitled The Snowmen and written by Steven Moffat, will see Matt Smith’s Doctor teaming up with governess Clara (played by Jenna-Louise Coleman) for an adventure that takes place on Christmas Eve, 1892. Guest performers for the 60-minute instalment include Richard E Grant and Tom Ward. 

The official plot synopsis provides a few extra details of what we can expect: 

“Christmas Eve 1892, and the falling snow is the stuff of fairytales.

When the fairytale becomes a nightmare and a chilling menace threatens Earth, an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help. But the Doctor is in mourning, reclusive and determined not to engage in the problems of the universe. As old friends return, will the Doctor really abandon humankind or will he fight to save the world – and Christmas – from the icy clutches of this mysterious menace?”

As mentioned before, The Snowmen will air at 9/8 central on BBC America (U.S.) and 9E/6P on Space (Canada), and on Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 December 2012 at 7.30pm on ABC1 (Australia) and at 8.30pm on Prime (New Zealand). Program your alarms accordingly.