Bringing the fantasy world of Game of Thrones to life: Video reveals behind the scenes secrets of the show's visual effects

  • The compilation video was produced by VFX studio Mackevision
  • Game of Thrones is shot in studios in Belfast as well as on location 
  • However, many worlds are designed from scratch using 3D models
  • And other scenes combine real-world locations with green screens 

From castles in Northern Ireland to the freezing landscapes of Iceland's Lake Myvatin, Game of Thrones is set in some of the most beautiful locations around the world. 

But only so much of George R. R. Martin's fantastical world can be captured on location. 

To bring Daenerys' dragons to life, or realistically portray Arya's journey to Braavos, the makers use the very latest in visual effect technology.

And now a video has given a glimpse into the making of these spectacular scenes. 

Scroll down for video 

The video (animation pictured) was compiled by studio Mackevision. It reveals how visual effects, green screens and software were used to bring George R. R Martin's fantasy Game of Thrones books to life during season five of the TV show

The video was compiled by studio Mackevision, visual effects supervisor Joern Grosshans, visual effects producer Niels Rinke and Jonas Kluger.

Mackevision is one of the VFX studios that was involved in producing the effects for Sky and HBO's fifth season of Games of Thrones.

HOW GREEN SCREENS WORK 

Green screens work using chroma keying.

This involves isolating a specific colour in an image and using software to make it transparent.

Luminance keying uses a similar process for isolating brightness values or black and white. 

This means other images can be superimposed on the shot and seen through the relevant areas.

During filming and editing, green colours are digitally removed and replaced with video footage to give the illusion of various scenes. 

In theory any colour could be used, but green is the least like skin tone. 

During the video, Arya Stark, played by Maisie Williams, is shown standing on a ship's deck with a green screen behind her which morphs into the sky and sea. 

The waterways of Braavos, as well as the giant Titan of Braavos statue, are shown being dropped onto a virtual landscape.

There is even a computer-generated shadow of the statue in the water.  

In the distance, houses and buildings are dropped onto the islands of the free city before a tint is applied to the image to make the sky look imposing. 

During the episode in which Cersei is forced to make a walk of shame, the thronging crowd is shown being populated in stages using computer imagery. 

While another shot shows the various layers needed to create the realistic facade of the House of Black and White. 

Game of Thrones is shot in studios in Belfast and Morocco as well as on location in Croatia, Iceland, Spain, Malta, Scotland and the US. 

The first season premiered in 2011 and the fifth season finished in June this year. 

‹ Slide me ›

During the video, Arya Stark played by Maisie Williams (pictured) is shown standing on a ship's deck with a green screen
This then morphs into the sky and sea
Slide me

During the video, Arya Stark played by Maisie Williams (pictured) is shown standing on a ship's deck with a green screen behind her which morphs into the sky and sea. Move the slider to see the before and after shot

During the episode in which Cersei is forced to make a walk of shame, the thronging crowd is shown being populated in stages using computer imagery
This image shows the shot after the crowds have been added
Slide me

During the episode in which Cersei is forced to make a walk of shame (pictured), the thronging crowd is shown being populated in stages using computer imagery

In addition to computer-generated worlds being designed from scratch, many of the scenes combine sets and locations with green screens.

For example, in one scene men are shown rowing on a real lake with small green screens positioned around it. 

These screens are used to add extra features such as bridges, and what appears to be a done-shaped church. 

In another, these select green screens are added to the sides and tops of buildings to make them appear larger and more grand than they are in real life.  

And throughout the video, virtual flying birds are added to the foreground and background of many scenes to make them look more realistic. 

Game of Thrones is shot in studios in Belfast and Morocco as well as on location in Croatia, Iceland, Spain, Malta, Scotland and the US.
Many of worlds are designed from scratch (pictured) using 3D models
Slide me

Game of Thrones is shot in studios in Belfast as well as on location in Morocco, Croatia, Iceland, Spain, Malta, Scotland and the US. However, many of worlds are designed from scratch (pictured) using 3D models

In addition to computer-generated worlds, other scenes combine sets and locations with green screens (pictured). Throughout the video, virtual flying birds are added to the foreground and background of many scenes to make them look more realistic

In addition to computer-generated worlds, other scenes combine sets and locations with green screens (pictured). Throughout the video, virtual flying birds are added to the foreground and background of many scenes to make them look more realistic

Green screens work using a technique known as chroma keying.

This involves isolating a specific colour in an image and using software to make it transparent. 

Luminance keying uses a similar process for isolating brightness values or black and white ranges. 

This means other images can be superimposed on the shot and seen through the relevant areas, but it also means that if a person is wearing something green, the background fills in that image too. 

During filming and editing, green colours are digitally removed and replaced with video footage to give the illusion of various scenes, locations and backgrounds. 

In theory any colour could be used, but green is the least like skin tone. 

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