Script To Screen

Saturday, 14 May 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Back in March, the BBC announced their Script to Screen competition, which opened for entries on 23rd April to tie in with the return of Doctor Who to television.

The aim of the competition is to submit a three minute script that can be acted out in the TARDIS console room featuring the Doctor, who will interact with a brand new human character (contemporary or historical), and/or one of either a Judoon, Cyberman, Ood or Weeping Angel.

The competition is open to primary schools, who may submit one script written by a group of 2-4 pupils (who must be aged between 9 and 11 before the 31st August). The script must be original and, and entirely the group's own, and has to be suitable for broadcast to a family audience including other children.

The writers of the winning script will get to travel to the BBC's Cardiff studio, where they will see their script brought to life by the Doctor Who team and cast including Matt Smith. Doctor Who Confidential will also be on hand to take viewers behind the scenes to show how the script gets developed from paper to big screen - from the first script meeting, a cast read-through, on set filming all the way to the final edit.


The BBC have also released a video introduction featuring the Doctor, Amy and Rory, plus 'real-life' observations on the writing process by head writer Steven Moffat and further suggestions by script editor Caroline Henry, executive producer Beth Willis, and producer Marcus Wilson.


A Word from the Doctor..., BBC, via BBC Website

The competition closes on 13th June 2011; visit the competition page for details on how schools can enter, and for full terms and conditions see BBC's Teachers website.




 
Neil Gaiman, award winning fantasy author and writer for the most recently broadcast episode, The Doctor's Wife, provides his own suggestions on how aspiring writers should approach writing a short script and for the character of the Doctor.


Neil Gaiman on writing for the Doctor, BBC, via BBC Website




FILTER: - Competitions - BBC

Character to release winning Blue Peter TARDIS console

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
As reported this morning, the latest edition of Blue Peter broadcast today featured an item on the winning design in their "Design a TARDIS console competition".

Presenter Helen Skelton introduced the item, in which she accompanied the winner Susannah Leah to the Doctor Who studios in Cardiff to meet production designer Michael Pickwoad, who realised her design into a practical prop. A week later the two were then able to travel to the filming location itself in order to see the completed console in action; Susannah got to see part of the shoot, and was also able to meet the Doctor himself, Matt Smith!




The show has also exclusively announced that Susannah's TARDIS console design is to be released by Character as part of their tie-in Doctor Who figure range. Named the "Junk TARDIS Console Playset", it is expected to be released later in the year.




This edition of Blue Peter is available to watch in the UK on the BBC iplayer for the next seven days (the Doctor Who section can be found from 12:46).


 
There is also an exclusive behind-the-scenes video to accompany the feature, which may be watched on the Blue Peter website.




FILTER: - Character - Competitions

Blue Peter

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Back in 2009, BBC's Blue Peter launched a competition for its viewers to create a new TARDIS console to feature in an episode of Doctor Who.

The finalists were announced in 2010, with Susannah Leah in the 11-12 category being the overall winner with her design below:


Today's programme will follow up on what happened next with the design:

What's the Tardis doing on the show? Thousands of viewers took part in the programme's competition to design a fresh version of the craft's central console. Now, Susannah Leah gets to see her winning console made into reality by the Doctor Who designers.
Susannah's version has not only been installed in the Tardis, it also gets a starring role in next Saturday's episode.


Blue Peter is on BBC1/BBC1HD at 4:30pm.

(with thanks to Neil Gaiman)




FILTER: - Competitions - Miscellaneous

DVD Fan Commentary Competition

Friday, 15 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
2|Entertain have announced a competition via Twitter for fans to contribute on commentaries for the final Seventh Doctor adventures to be released on DVD, Dragonfire, The Happiness Patrol and The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.

In order to enter, fans should record and submit a question to the Classic Doctor Who Soundcloud group, and the favourites chosen will be featured as recorded on the related commentary.

Full entry details are on our competitions page.




FILTER: - Competitions - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

2|Entertain: DVD Commentary Competition

Friday, 15 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus
2|Entertain have announced a competition via Twitter for fans to contribute on commentaries for the final Seventh Doctor adventures to be released on DVD, Dragonfire, The Happiness Patrol and The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.

We are running an exciting opportunity for fans to feature on upcoming DVD commentaries! Simply record your question along with your name and where you're from (city / town only - no addresses!). And upload it to our group on Soundcloud.

We'll pick our favourites and feature them in upcoming commentary recordings. The ACTUAL RECORDINGS! Hear your voice on a DVD. :-)

Entrants must by over 18. Please ensure you speak slowly and clearly.

The stories we're asking for your questions on are HAPPINESS PATROL, GREATEST SHOW IN THE GALAXY and DRAGONFIRE. Get thinking!

Submissions close 22 April 2011. Good luck!




FILTER: - Competitions - Blu-ray/DVD

Qwertee: T-Shirt Competition

Wednesday, 13 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Qwertee, Europe's largest daily T-Shirt website, have just completed their latest campaign featuring a Doctor Who inspired design, and are offering readers of Doctor Who News who are also follow their Facebook page a chance to win a t-shirt from their back catalogue!

In order to enter the competition, please answer the following question:

Qwertee's recent t-shirt design featured a Dalek relaxing, and last year saw them supposedly assisting Churchill in the war effort, and offering tea to the Doctor! This wasn't the first time the Daleks were duplicitous in their intentions. however - in which classic Doctor Who story did they also pretend to be subservient to humans?

Closing date: Saturday 23rd April

Please email your answer to our competition address with the subject line "Qwertee Competition" - we will contact the three winners with details on how to choose and receive their prize from Qwertee after the competition has closed.


Please note the t-shirt designs illustrated reflect a sample of the previous campaigns and may not be in stock as a prize for this competition.




FILTER: - T-Shirts - Competitions - Doctor Who News

Procrastinate - Qwertee T-Shirt Offer

Thursday, 7 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster


Europe's largest daily T-Shirt website Qwertee have launched their latest Doctor Who inspired design; it is created by graphic designer Crystal, who said: "Daleks need some down time too ya know! I mean…trying to destroy the Universe is hard work!"

This is a limited edition print which will only be available to purchase for three days (i.e. until 11:00pm Sunday 10th April).



Once again, readers of Doctor Who News will be able to take advantage of a special 40p/50¢ discount off the usual £8/€10/$13.50 price of the t-shirt - simply enter this promotional code when ordering:
 
DoctorWhoNewsPage

The t-shirt can be ordered from the Qwertee website.



Meanwhile, we are delighted to announce a competition in association with Qwertee to win a t-shirt of your choice from their back catalogue - full details will appear on the Competitions page next week.




FILTER: - Merchandise - Competitions - Special Offers

Forbidden Planet: Win a TARDIS Full Of Prizes

Friday, 1 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus
To celebrate the return of Doctor Who this Easter, Forbidden Planet are offering fans the chance to win the ultimate prize. Details below.

One lucky winner will grab a staggering TARDIS load of goodies with a total retail value of well over £500.

This awesome prize package includes -

The 11th Doctor and Amy Pond Maxi Busts - Be one of the first in the UK to get hold of these great busts!

Loads Of Toys - Including the Eleven Doctors Box Set

Six Doctor Who Novels

Two Standees - Get The Doctor and Amy PLUS The TARDIS in your living room

PLUS: Pens, Mugs, Posters, T Shirts and a whole lot more

For your chance to win, answer the simple question below.

Don't miss the fun of our Doctor Who Fun Days in all our stores on the 9th and 16th April! Full details on our Events & Signing Page!

Which headgear did the 11th Doctor describe as cool? [Use the entry form here]

Open to UK residents only. The closing date for entries is midnight on 17th April 2011

For full Terms & Conditions visit ForbiddenPlanet.com.




FILTER: - Competitions - Forbidden Planet

Competition Roundup (31st March 2011)

Thursday, 31 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Here is a list of the currently known open competitions related to Doctor Who:
 
Cultbox4 AprWin one of five copies of the books 'Ghost Train' and 'Department X'.
SendIt5 AprWin a Cyber Leader voice-changer mask.
Doctor Who News6 AprWin one of six copies of A Christmas Carol Original Soundtrack on CD. Open Worldwide.
Eye of Horus22 AprWin one of ten copies of Planet of the Spiders on DVD (R2). Open Worldwide
DrWho Online30 AprWin one of three copies of Planet of the Spiders (R2) on DVD. Open Worldwide (starts 1 Apr)
DrWho Online30 AprWin one of three copies of the BBC Radio Episodes on CD. Open Worldwide (starts 1 Apr)
BBC Australia30 AprWin a trip for two to visit the Doctor Who Experience! Australian entrants only.
BBC America15 MaySend in a photo of your home-made TARDIS to win DVDs and a private screening. US entrants only.
 




FILTER: - Competitions

BBC: Be the First to See The Impossible Astronaut

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Update (1st April): This competition is now officially closed and all the successful applicants have been contacted. [BBC Doctor Who]

The BBC are offering fans the chance to win tickets to see the fist two episodes of the new series of Doctor Who, The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon at an exclusive screening in London.
Be the First to See The Impossible Astronaut

The new series of Doctor Who begins at Easter but here's your chance to see the opening two episodes before everybody else!

We're giving away 30 pairs of tickets to an exclusive screening of The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon on Monday, 4 April, 2011 at a special venue in Central London. The screening starts at 18:30 so please make sure you can arrive by 18:00. There's even a Question and Answer session following the episodes, so you might get the chance to ask the cast something you've always wanted to know.

You must be 16 years or older to apply but if you're successful and are allocated a pair of tickets, there is no age restriction on your lucky guest. That means if you're under 16 and want to attend you could ask a parent or guardian to apply and if they're successful you've just got to persuade them to take you along!

Neither travel nor accommodation is included so you must be able to safely get to and from Central London. Please do not register your details if you think you cannot attend. You can read full terms and conditions here and we'll contact all successful applicants by telephone on Friday evening.

So what are you waiting for? Simply fill in the entry form and hit send! Only one application will be accepted per person and multiple applications will not be eligible for selection. Good luck!

BBC will only ever use personal details for the purposes of administering this ticket giveaway, and will not publish them or provide them to anyone without permission. Your details will not be retained for more than 90 days. You can read more about the BBC Privacy Policy on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/privacy/




FILTER: - Competitions - BBC