7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Game of Thrones

Cover image edited by Sportskeeda (Image via Amazon Prime)
Cover image edited by Sportskeeda (Image via Amazon Prime)

Game of Thrones became one of television's biggest shows when it aired from 2011 to 2019. The HBO fantasy drama captivated millions of audiences around the world. The show is based on George R.R Martin's novel series, which narrates the tale of noble families fighting for power in the fictional land of Westeros. The show ran for eight seasons and featured complicated characters, magical elements, and political intrigue.

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Game of Thrones explored loyalty, betrayal, power, and survival themes. Additionally, the involvement of knights, supernatural threats, and dragons added more depth and nuance to the story and made it stand out from other period fantasy dramas.

The final season aired in 2019. Despite its controversial conclusion, Game of Thrones is a cultural phenomenon that forever transformed television. Many fans missed out on some unknown facts about the show.


7 Facts about Game of Thrones that will leave fans shocked

1) Post-production was to a great extent

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A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

The last season of Game of Thrones required a lot of work behind the scenes. Post-production for the eighth season took 42 weeks to finish. This meant nearly a year of visual effects, sound work, and editing.

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The first season only required 17 weeks of post-production. The difference displays how much more complicated the series became over time. Every episode required hundreds of hours of detailed work. The unit of special effects artists and editors worked around the clock.

The long production time aided in creating the spectacular dragon scenes and spectacular battles viewers loved. Several departments worked simultaneously on several aspects. Sound mixing, color correction, and digital compositing required a lot of time. The crew often worked fourteen hours a day to meet the deadlines.

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2) Filming locations spanned ten countries

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Game of Thrones utilized locations all over the world to create its fantasy setting. The production team filmed in ten different countries during the series's run. Croatia and Northern Ireland were the most popular filming spots.

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However, the crew also worked in Iceland, Spain, Morocco, and Malta. Additionally, Canada, Scotland, and the United States provided some other sight settings. Many sequences used historical sites and real castles.

This approach made the fictional world feel lived-in and authentic. The diverse locations helped bring Martin's imagination to life on screen. Every location required very vigilant preparation and scouting. Local crews provided aid in every filming country. Additionally, weather conditions often affected shooting schedules across several regions.

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3) Visual effects required massive resources

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

The visual effects in Game of Thrones were groundbreaking for TV. The first seven seasons contained 13,250 individual VFX shots. Forty separate visual effects companies worked on the series. These teams were located in thirteen countries around the world. Battles, dragons, and magical elements required digital creation.

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Additionally, the White Walkers and their army were computer-generated mainly. Even simple sequences often included digital developments. The considerable scale of effects work set new standards for TV production.


4) Security measures were extreme

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

HBO took extreme steps to prevent Game of Thrones spoilers from leaking. The cast members had to read scripts on special secured iPads. Additionally, paper scripts were banned to prevent theft or snapping. The tablets had tracking software and security features. The actors could not download or print the scripts.

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This extraordinary approach reflected the series's massive cultural impact. The spoilers could potentially ruin surprises and plot twists for millions of fans across the globe. Security measures have also become stricter with every passing season.


5) The Budget reached record levels

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

The last season of Game of Thrones had a big budget of $90 million. Every episode costs approximately $15 million to produce. The former seasons have much smaller budgets in comparison. The second season episodes cost only $2 million each to create.

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The increased spending enabled more spectacular scenes and larger battles. Dragon scenes and large-scale battles required significant financial growth. The budget reflected HBO's confidence in the series's cultural importance and success.


6) Practical effects were extensive

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Game of Thrones utilized real explosions and fire whenever possible. The production used 163 tons of propane over eight seasons. Additionally, three thousand pyrotechnic effects created realistic blasts and fire.

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The crew also used several pounds of Coffee Mate for special fire effects. Real flames blended with digital effects for more realism. The actors performed several stunts with real fire around them. The commitment to the practical impacts enhanced the series's danger and authenticity.

Moreover, safety coordinators worked closely with experienced stunt units during these high-risk scenes. The commitment to practical effects enhanced the show's genuine sense of danger.

Moreover, fire specialists from around the globe contribute their unique expertise to big battle scenes. Additionally, professional pyrotechnicians designed custom explosions for specific narrative moments throughout the show. The blend of digital and real fire created unforgettable visual spectacles for global audiences.

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7) The Cast included surprising celebrity cameos

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Many recognised musicians appeared in minor roles throughout Game of Thrones. The renowned singer Ed Sheeran played a Lannister soldier in the seventh season. Moreover, Coldplay drummer Will Champion appeared as a musician. These cameos added humor and easter eggs for observant fans. The celebrities usually played background musicians and characters. Their appearance generated significant media attention and fan discussion online.

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The creators of Game of Thrones, Dan Weiss and David Benioff, carefully selected musicians who fit organically into the medieval fantasy setting. The cameos never felt compelled or distracting from the central narrative and character arc.

Viewers genuinely enjoyed spotting these similar faces during their viewing rewatches and experiences. Other notable musical guests included members of several bands who performed traditional medieval-style songs. The popularity of Game of Thrones attracted several celebrities who wanted to participate in the cultural phenomenon.

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Game of Thrones transformed television through its huge scale and attention to detail. These behind-the-scenes facts reveal the incredible effort required to bring Westeros to life on screen.

Edited by Mannjari Gupta
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