Filming updates from the HBO TV series

[Winters_Sorrow]

Thanks for the update Wert. The visual effects will be interesting; I saw some pictures of the sets in Doune Castle and there was an awful lot of "green screen" going on so I think it's important that they get the right people in, which it sounds like they have.

I really hope it gets picked up (obviously) but moreso because of the terrific cast they have lined up to be honest. After all in a few years time there will no doubt be posts bitching about how they "messed up the books" when turning it into TV

But I think that some of the people involved look amazing for the roles, especially those playing the 'child' parts and I can't wait to see how they bring the characters to life onscreen.

Question for ya, Cul. What'd be worse...no pickup after the pilot or show cancelled after 1 season?

 

[Culhwch]

Definitely the former. I'd rather just one season than none at all. Of course, if that season is unwatchable... But that won't happen, surely! I have faith.

 

[Boaz]

Thanks, Wert.

 

[TK-421]

I too have the faith of Seven that we will see Tyrion with Ros on our screens in our living rooms.

And, Wert, u still da man!!!!!!

 

[Lofwyr]

2011! It's strange, but I find myself more impatiently waiting for this than for the Dance...

I get a little of this as well. In reflecting on it, I think it's because the HBO series will expose a much broader audience to the majesty of this series than have already read it.

and to re-repeat: Wert Udaman.

 

[Boaz]

The anticipation I get is for my friends and family. They know I'm a Tolkien nut. Yet, none of them can get into Middle-earth like me... I've read The Lord of the Rings about forty times... so they think that ASOIAF will be as difficult a read for them as Tolkien was. I try to let them know that this is simply not the case with ASOIAF, it's entirely different in style, pace, and theme.

I gave my sister a hardback AGOT last year for Christmas... it's still uncracked. My fantasy/miniature gaming buddies all lost interest in ASOIAF waiting for AFFC. My hope is that they'll all be able to enjoy ASOIAF through HBO's version.

But part of me is skeptical because I thought that my family and friends would all understand Middle-earth from the Peter Jackson movies and then they'd understand my love of fantasy literature, mythology, and epic tales. Alas, this was not the case. Most of the important nuances and themes of LOTR were either skipped in the films or were not obvious to the casual viewer. People don't want to hear me say, "You completely missed Aragorn's motivation... it was explained in the sword and by Arwen's presence." When they say, "I loved The Return of the King", they don't want me to respond with, "Are you nuts? Denethor was a totally deranged sociopath, Faramir was a lying brat..."

 

[Culhwch]

See, I don't care about other people, I want them all just for me!

 

[Kalhaven]

I gave my sister a hardback AGOT last year for Christmas... it's still uncracked. My fantasy/miniature gaming buddies all lost interest in ASOIAF waiting for AFFC. My hope is that they'll all be able to enjoy ASOIAF through HBO's version.

But part of me is skeptical because I thought that my family and friends would all understand Middle-earth from the Peter Jackson movies and then they'd understand my love of fantasy literature, mythology, and epic tales. Alas, this was not the case. Most of the important nuances and themes of LOTR were either skipped in the films or were not obvious to the casual viewer. People don't want to hear me say, "You completely missed Aragorn's motivation... it was explained in the sword and by Arwen's presence." When they say, "I loved The Return of the King", they don't want me to respond with, "Are you nuts? Denethor was a totally deranged sociopath, Faramir was a lying brat..."

Haha, I feel the same. I am torn on whether I want the family to see the series. I know my wife, for example, would never pick up a copy of AGOT and dive in. But the minute I mention "ya know honey they are thinking of making this into an HBO series", I get questions on who the cast members are, when is it going to air, etc. etc. The power of HBO I guess..

My fear is that the series isnt that good and I get looks that say "These are the books you have been raving about?" lol

On the other hand, if the series is awesome, it opens up a new topic of conversation. That would be cool.

 

[TK-421]

Fortunately for me, Mrs. TK is into it as well. Even my in-laws are into it. I have since introduced a good friend who funnily enough identified with Khal Drogo

 

[southron sword]

I have since introduced a good friend who funnily enough identified with Khal Drogo

Lets hope it's not the wedding customs he identifies with.

 

[Kalhaven]

Fortunately for me, Mrs. TK is into it as well. Even my in-laws are into it. I have since introduced a good friend who funnily enough identified with Khal Drogo

See, thats awesome. Nothing better then being able to talk about stuff you enjoy.

Which is prolly why I lurk here quite frequently. I love the theories and discussion provided here. Always new thoughts and ideas to lead me in new directions.

 

[Werthead]

We now have multiple sources involved from the production, including George R.R. Martin and executive producer David Benioff, confirming that HBO's final decision on the project going to series will be given by the end of March 2010.

So we'll know one way or the other in the next three and a half months.

 

[Werthead]

HBO have given Game of Thrones a significant display of confidence, reporting that the footage they have seen so far is fantastic, that the performances are impressive, the budget they gave the pilot was huge (possibly the biggest of any show since Rome, if the $10 million figure is correct) and that they would be very surprised if they now didn't commission it.

They even went as far as to give a potential airdate: if Game of Thrones is picked up they will air it in March or April of 2011.

Final news on the series is expected in March this year.

 

[Culhwch]

So long to wait! Hopefully it will be worth it, though...

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

Thanks for the update Wert.
I think the huge amount of buzz this project is generating (not just on fan sites but even among US tv critics) meant that I was fairly sure that it would get picked up.
Of course there's nothing to stop it being cancelled after 1 series so I hope that the performances continue to impress and the ratings justify the expense. After all, Rome only got 2 series and, if they follow this to the end, this could wind up being 7-8 series long.

To be honest, I can't see HBO being prepared to tell the whole story so I will just enjoy what they choose to go with while it lasts

 

[Werthead]

A decision is expected on the full series within the next couple of weeks.

Anyone with a Facebook account who wants to add their support for the pilot being picked up can do so on the official HBO Facebook page here.

 

[The Imp]

It just occurred to me that the way the series has been constructed in a perfect way for it to be able to be translated into a television series. I'm thinking mostly about potential number of cliff hangers that good screenwriter could concoct in adapting the series. I also think the multiple POVs/plotlines will enable them to show multiple events simultaneously, much in the way that 24 has. That might actually be a way for them to compress or even entirely skip over parts of the story that aren't crucial for the furtherance of the overall plot. I'm starting to get excited about the series.

 

[southron sword]

Im looking forward to the scene when Jaime Lannister confronts Eddard in the streets in KL. In my head thats a cool, and somewhat emotional scene. I can picture Sean Bean going down and having his leg broken while the rest of the northman are slaughtered. Is it raining while thats happening? because I picture it raining.

 

[The Imp]

Im looking forward to the scene when Jaime Lannister confronts Eddard in the streets in KL. In my head thats a cool, and somewhat emotional scene. I can picture Sean Bean going down and having his leg broken while the rest of the northman are slaughtered. Is it raining while thats happening? because I picture it raining.

Pretty sure it was raining.

The whole Eddard plotline should be really fun to watch

 

[Werthead]

Season 1 of GAME OF THRONES has wrapped shooting. Post-production is already well-underway on earlier episodes, with editing, scoring and CGI work currently underway,

Next important date is 7 January, when HBO present the show on the American Television Critcs' Associaton Winter Tour press junket thing. There's going to be a big panel featuring Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, producers David Benioff, Dan Weiss and George R.R. Martin, possibly others, and some additional footage should be shown. The series itself is scheduled to begin airing on HBO in April. The precise date is not confirmed, but given TRUE BLOOD's debut date in June, it'll probably be either 3 or 10 April 2011.

Meanwhile, the production crew are already beginning preliminary work on Season 2, which will be based on the novel A CLASH OF KINGS (GAME OF THRONES remains the overall series title, however). Whilst S2 has not been officially greenlit, the tight turn-around which HBO wants for the second season means that a lot of contingency work will have to be done so they can begin work almost immediately after a potential greenlight is given in April.