Here are some of the smaller news items from a busy week of Game of Thrones news:
- The story of the possible environmental damage sustained at Dwerja in Malta doesn’t seem to be going away. A recent article in the Times of Malta has quotes from an environmental expert stating that the laying of sand on the rocky coast has “obliterated the micro-habitat in the area.” And the story has gained more exposure thanks to it being picked up by io9 and NY Magazine. Adam Whitehead of The Wertzone has a good summary of the events so far. In my opinion, it is an unfortunate situation but one where the blame should fall on the Maltese government in the first place for issuing the permit. It looks like they were seeing dollar signs and quickly issued the permit without properly assessing what the effects of the filming would cause to the local habitat.
- Thankfully not all the press has been bad. Mark Addy was interviewed recently in the York Press where he talks about his role in Game of Thrones. He confirms that he has finished filming and also mentions that he has heard they plan to start airing the show in April. Here is what he has to say about his role:
“I’m playing King Robert Baratheon, who has assumed power through a rebellion against the former regime – and in this game of thrones you either win or die.
“They’re pretty good stories actually. It’s a bit like Tolkien, but with sex and violence…there’s something for everyone!
“Not so much the sex for me, but there’s a little bit of violence. He’s not your standard idea of what a king would be. He’s stuck in a loveless marriage and having to make decisions he doesn’t want to. He once wanted to sit on the throne but now it’s not the bed of roses he might have wished, as he’s surrounded by enemies everywhere – and he’s a bit of a grump, which is different from what I usually play.”
- Also recently interviewed is Natalia Tena, who plays Osha, this one over at CineSnob. Tena talks primarily about her involvement in the Harry Potter films (you can see her as Tonks in the recently released seventh film, along with Michelle Fairley who plays Hermione’s mother) but does touch on her role in Thrones.
The fantasy genre is not over for you after “Harry Potter.” You’re now going to be in the new HBO series “Game of Thrones.” How is that going?
It’s amazing. We’re shooting in Belfast. We’ve been doing scenes in the forest. The forest is beautiful. There is a lot of shade so we’ve been working during very cold days. I think the show is going to be something quite impressive.
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70 Comments
Agree with you, Winter, on that Government issue. Why the authorities would issue a permit to film there is beyond me. Unless the production didn’t fully divulge what they planned to do with the site. Sure hope it doesn’t affect them from filming in Malta in the future.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Gotta love those hippie lunatics. Older generation had commies, we have eco-terrorists…
John GaltQuote Reply
I hope they did, and it was a misunderstanding. :/
BlueCanaryQuote Reply
Even with the government issue, at least in my country, any party how give cause to ecologic damage are responsabile by the damage they create even without guity, because If you create risk do enviorement you have to assume the legal consequenses of the risk you created.
So you do damage you response by the damage, with a few legal excuses granted like act of god and such.
Even so The HBO have the money to pay the damage they created, let them pay and everything will be fine =)
Sorry my bad english
NatansQuote Reply
There is one thing I do not understand in this whole mess with the “micro-habitat”.
The most of the people (including me) do not know what “micro-habitat” is exactly.
I could have some vague opinion what is it, but the real truth is : I have no idea what is it exactly.
So, let s assume that I am film producer and I wanna shoot on the beautiful site.
I would expect that someone warn me in adavnce about the potential risk of damaging that very site.
Because, it is “micro-habitat” and not something I could see with my own eyes (or understand what it is), it would be rather normal thing that I would be aware of the potential risk.
Nobody, in all the articles I have read on that matter, have mentioned, what had happened BEFORE the permit has been given to HBO.
I do not expect of HBO or David & Dan to be the experts on “micro-habitat”, but for certain there were people (experts) who could warn them in advance.
All right, I said it, let the GREENS kill me….
The RabbitQuote Reply
I don’t think you should hold HBO and Fire & Blood responsible for the damage caused by laying the sand. The damaged caused by the improper cleaning? Yes. They were given guidelines as to how the site was to be cleaned and did not adhere to them. Even though it was technically the sub-contractor’s fault, HBO and Fire & Blood is held responsible since they should have made sure the sub-contractor’s followed the guidelines. They had put down a 15,000 Euro deposit in the event of mishandling the cleaning which MEPA ended up keeping because of this error.
However, the damage that was caused JUST by laying the sand should be blamed on MEPA. It shouldn’t be HBO and the producers responsibility to assess whether laying sand would be damaging or not. That is not their area of expertise. That is the job of the environmental agency. They should have never issued the permit in the first place.
And the fact that they are pointing fingers and saying that they didn’t know they would be laying sand is ridiculous, since the start of this whole mess was because F&B didn’t follow the guidelines for cleaning the sand. If there were guidelines for cleaning the sand, surely MEPA knew they would be laying down sand!
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
I think I speak for 99.999% of the world when I say that I don’t give a rat’s ass about the micro-habitat of some tiny beach in Malta.
shadallionQuote Reply
shadallion,
I, on the other hand, and sorry for any irreparable damage and care for the environment wherever that is. This incident could be avoided so it’s a shame.
However, what
The Rabbit,
and
Winter Is Coming,
said here, is absolutely true, and I fully agree with them. Based on the info we have.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
That’s a good point, but still on the speculative side. Because maybe it wasn’t until they knew they were laying it that they issued clean-up guidelines. I’ve seen this kind of thing a lot in my job with cities issuing construction permits. They don’t care about the means and methods of the contractor (until they are causing a problem) just what the plans show to issue permits.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
dizzy_34, so what you’re saying is MEPA may have issued the permit without knowing they would be laying sand and once they knew it was too late to retract the permit so they laid out some guidelines to help keep the damage as minimal as possible? I guess that is a possibility.
But I just don’t see why F&B would lie about, or purposefully withhold their intentions of, wanting to lay sand. There are plenty of locations they could have used for this scene and I’m sure if MEPA had said no go on the laying of the sand, the producers would have used a different location.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Sure, blame MEPA. It’s their fault. They were asked for permission to do something, and it seems they gave permission when they shouldn’t have done.
BUT: HBO are not children. They are adult people with fully functioning intellects and (I hope) consciences. There are therefore entirely morally responsible for their actions. The fact that somebody else gave them permission to do something doesn’t mean they can’t be blamed for doing it. If I ask MEPA for permission to murder someone, and get it, then sure, MEPA are responsible, but that doesn’t mean that I’m absolved of responsibility either. You don’t just rely on other people to work out what’s good and what’s bad – you can’t outsource morality. It is everybody’s responsibility to take all reasonable steps to assess the consequences of their actions – not to throw it on the lap of someone else and hope they let you do it, before you’ve even worked out whether you should be doing it! As I say, that’s what children do – they follow the permissions of adults, because children can’t decide these things for themselves. Of course, HBO aren’t environmental experts – but they can employ them, just as they can employ people to remove sand, and in both cases they’re responsible for picking the best employees.
There’s also the issue here that the beach is not the personal property of MEPA – their role in giving permission is on behalf of, firstly, the people of Malta, and secondly, the people of the world. So this is different from someone saying “sure, break my violin,” it’s somebody saying “sure, break my child’s violin, I’m sure he won’t mind”. Yes, the parent has the right to give these permissions in general, but that doesn’t mean you should smash up a kid’s violin without stopping to think whether it’s a good thing to do or not. Especially when you know for a fact that the parent has a distinct conflict of interest, stemming from the fact that you’re paying them to let you do it!
It’s like saying to a shop manager “if you let me take all the christmas toys, I’ll pay you a million dollars”, and later turning round and saying “I know all the children went without toys this year because I took them, and I know the guy who owns the shop is pissed off at me too, but I never stopped to evaluate whether my actions were moral – I didn’t need to, because the manager gave me permission!”.
I also think the idea that MEPA must have known what they were doing is flawed. Yes, they knew there was sand, and yes, they probably had people watching. But “laying down sand” isn’t just one action, there’s a million ways to do it (what does ‘sand’ mean, and what does ‘laying’ mean?) – and you can’t necessarily know what’s going on by eye alone.
—–
Of course, I’m not saying it’s HBO’s fault. Because we don’t know what’s happened, or what steps HBO took to prevent it. Maybe it’s been blown out of proportion, or maybe it was just something that they couldn’t reasonably have predicted. I’m just saying that its COULD be HBO’s fault, at least partly – that we can’t let them off the hook automatically just because some third party gave a green light. [Someone rigs a pedestrian crossing to show you a green light when there are people crossing, and you run over them - surely you did wrong, even though the lights gave you permission? Maybe you couldn't see the people, but you should at least be expected to LOOK!]. I hope nothing bad happened, and if something bad happened, I hope HBO can’t fairly be blamed. But we don’t know enough to say either way at this stage.
Sometimes I think comments here can be somewhat apologist toward HBO’s actions.
WastrelQuote Reply
To be more concrete on the sand-laying: “sand” can cover a wide range of different materials that are all basically sandy, but that can have very different ecological effects. Likewise, “laying” – are we talking spraying a light coating of sand, or making dunes? Is the sand going to be compacted, perhaps? Will it be wet sand, dry sand, etc?
I’ve no reason to think MEPA didn’t know exactly what was going to happen. But equally we have no way to be sure that they did know. So the proper attitude is agnosticism on the matter and a reservation of judgement.
WastrelQuote Reply
Micro-habitat? lol? who gives a F@##? I would fire roast 100 pandas and burn down the amazonian rain forest just to see the pilot.
TastesLikeTheSeaQuote Reply
I agree with you Wastrel — we want a great show, the world to love it and years more of it, but there is no need to be apologist for HBO’s or Fire & Blood Productions actions, they still have responsibility here as does MEPA. All productions should hire consultants to make sure they are not damaging anything when shooting on location. This production in particular depends on location shooting, so they ought to do it right.
And no, shadallion you do not speak for 99.999% of the world.
spacechampionQuote Reply
I am Maltese and a big fan of “A Song of Ice and Fire”.
I am confused. If HBO wanted a sandy beach we have plenty of other natural sandy beaches on the island.
If on the other hand HBO wanted the Azure Window in Dwejra as a backdrop, it should have left the site as it was.
On the other hand, if MEPA was informed that sand would be added, it was a very big irresponsibility from their part, and someone must pay consequences (I suspect this to be true, but I also doubt that anybody will pay).
For your information it is not a beach the place is a natural beauty (a contender for the natural wonders of the world). To alter it in anyway is a pity, we have already ruined too much of our island, and planet.
Also at that time, we had heavy rainfall here, and this may have left a lot of wet sand and so removing it may have been more difficult than expected.
David SciclunaQuote Reply
Wastrel, you might be right on the comments being skewed towards backing HBO here. This is a fan site following an HBO production after all.
However I really don’t see how you can hold them responsible for the damage caused at Dwerja IF it was caused by laying sand. The fact of the matter is, HBO shouldn’t need to hire their own environmental experts to determine the effects of laying the sand. That is MEPA’s job. HBO submitted their plans to MEPA and MEPA approved them and gave them guidelines to follow. That is how the system works. Why would you expect HBO to do something they should not have to do (ie hiring their own experts)?
Also we know MEPA approved the laying of the sand because they gave guidelines on how to clean it up. HBO screwed up the clean-up, that was their fault and they should be held liable for any damages caused by the incorrect cleaning.
But it seems now the bulk of the damage is coming strictly from the laying of the sand. All your extenuating circumstances on what kind of sand, how it was to be laid, etc. are things MEPA should have followed up on if it was unclear from the original permit request.
You are right that we don’t have all of the info yet. But based on the info we do have, it seems MEPA did not do their due diligence in this case and are rightfully getting the brunt of the blame. The fact that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened is enough for me to say that MEPA is the one truly at fault.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Speak for yourself, because that’s the only person you can speak for.
LexQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
I doubt anyone lied about anything. This not being in the U.S. I’m not sure what is acceptable and whats not but it gets really convoluted when you’re talking permits and construction weather it be buildings or sets or whatever. Their (HBO, F&B) plans could very well have had that they were planning on laying sand. The governmental body can look at those plans and give the go ahead or not. It’s their prerogative depending on what they see in the plans. A contractor can (and often does) deviate from what was submitted to the governmental body. It happens quite often with no one even noticing. This however seemed to be an especially sensitive site that any “mess up” or deviation from plan could cause quite a problem. The government issuing clean-up guidlines doesn’t necessary mean they knew what all the production was doing. It’s entirely possible that there’s fault on both sides of the coin is all I’m saying.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Habitat is the environment where an ecosystem of interacting organisms lives.
A micro-habitat is the area where a particular set of conditions is present to enable new organisms to arise and thrive.
In the HBO filmimg, part of the coast and land is ecologically unique, with the only known location for a particular species. The filming was on some fairly bare rock, containing fossils, near the unique habitat, but not on it.
Because of the adverse weather, the metre or so of ‘waste limestone dust’ compacted and cemented to form a thick crust. The contractor then brought in machinery to remove this deposit. It is possible that the fossil rock base may have been damaged by the machinery. This is an area where vehicles are not allowed.
When production found out, they stopped the contractor straight away. And held their hands up, co-operating to get the site cleaned correctly.
I am just as passionate about aSoIaF as the rest of WiC members, but I am horrified at the lack of care and supervision by the production company. I am also gobsmacked by the attitude and actions of the contractor, which is a Gozo firm. I am also appalled at the accusations of some Maltese, including politically-motivated ex-officials, who seem to be talking about the extermination of the whole habitat of UN interest.
I did not expect the sort of throw-away comment exhibiting such a complete insensitivity to our planet on WiC’s polite and erudite discussion blog.
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
I think the main point people tend to gloss over is that the amount of damage (if any) cannot be quantified until the clean up is over.
Despite what the scientist who claimed “it was complete destruction” or whatever, there’s no evidential proof (short of “eyeballing”) that the micro-habitat is irreparably damaged.
StixQuote Reply
TastesLikeTheSea,
Again, I disagree with the attitude. C’mon :)
Wastrel,
Well, I won’t call myself unbiased, since I hope HBO can’t fairly be blamed, same as you, and also that nothing bad happened on a large scale. I agree we’re far from having the full picture. Just speaking from what we seem to know.
Two parts of your reasoning I don’t agree with: they DID have the best environmental experts, people who are the authority on those issues: MEPA themselves! They are the enviromental protection agency. A green light from them is a green light from the experts. I wouldn’t seek a second opinion. However, you can see the potential conflict of interests that has been pointed out already. Second, the argument that they should know better themselves. Now, that would work, it I exaggerate, if they had been given permission to shoot in a forrest and then chopped down the trees. Less extreme: if they destroyed some nests, or just trampled grass and flowers. If what you see before you is bare rocks … then putting some sand over them which you can later remove manually, and use an impermeable cover at the bottom … well, that seems reasonable to me, a non-environmental expert.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
The Rabbit,
Sorry, I meant to tag you in my previous post.
For those interested, see the link below:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101121/local/eu-intervenes-in-dwejra-debacle
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
Thanks for the explanation. :)
The RabbitQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
I agree with you as well. I do think not everyone has shown complete insensitivity to the damage and our planet, certainly not WiC or me.
We need to wait for the assessment. Disgruntled ex-officials looking at photos don’t strike me as trustworthy. As said before, the use of machinery shows some really bad lack of care in that instance, and the production should be held fully responsible for that part.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
I read this blog often, but I don’t like to comment, but now I feel compelled to.
What happened was appaling, and I would be very hurt If something like this happened to the sensitive ecosistem in my home town. And coming from such a place i can tell you that nobody cares. Goverment knows how special the site is, but it has (and partially at that) only local protection – thousands of turistscome on a summer day not caring that the location is very sensitive. The ONLY reasons the place is not built with hotels is that the people are willing to pay to go to wild beache and that military trains in the area (ant the activists organise rallys agains the military, the main reason the location is intact, to be honest — the funny thing is there are no locals among the protestors). You get guidelines if you are to do anything NOT sensitive, but nobody checks. I have no reason to think Malta is any different. Because NOBODY cares – what we have are journalists who adore the fact that something was destroyed – it would cause outrage with people who pretend to care, and few concerned bloggers. Nobody important is involved.
So I’m sure that GoT will continue to film on Malta – to much money is invoved – and that’s only thing any government cares really; hell, even this accident will give them money that will most certainly not go back to protecting environment.
TrlababalaneQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
And yeah, what kind of organisms live there?
Sorry, to bother you, but I am just curious now.
The RabbitQuote Reply
From what I’ve read, I think the blame lies equally with HBO and the Maltese government. No matter who’s to blame, it’s a real shame. (Tried to say that without rhyming, but didn’t know what other word to use.)
P.S. Not to be a stickler (oh, who am I kidding, I’m a total stickler), but it’s Natalia Tena, with an “a” at the end, not Natalie with an “e.”
EmmaQuote Reply
The Rabbit,
You’re very welcome!
Hear Me Roar,
I think we have a concatenation of unfortunate events, which have contributed to a situation where people are opinionating before an accurate assessment of any temporary or permanent damage to the environment can be made.
(Good grief, I’m sounding like Sir Humphrey Appleby!!)
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
Emma,
Thank you for pointing out the typo. Fixed!
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
Agreed. Unfortunately so. Hehe, not that bad :) it’s actually very clear, even if it gives an impression of excessive verbosity.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Wastrel,
I stopped reading at “murder” because stupid hyperbole pisses me off.
“Murder” is by definition intentional. No one is sugggesting that what happened on that Maltese beach was anything other than an accident. There’s no useful comparison to draw.
GaRQuote Reply
The Rabbit,
I cannot find out exactly which living organisms have been harmed, the best detail is this quote:
Scutella are a kind of echinoderm, or sea urchin. This geology was formed about 37 mya, during the Miocene Period of the Tertiary Epoch.
In the earliest report on 3rd November, concern is only raised about the physical damage to the fossil beds, and possible damage from the sand being swept out to sea by the bad weather.
In later reports, quite a head of steam is generated and accusations and counter arguments fly!
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
I don’t want to get into this (partly because I agree with you and thought Wastrel’s points were either an extreme overreaction or misguided), but murder is not intentional by definition. 1st and 2nd degree murders are, but 3rd degree murder is, ‘by definition,’ not intentional.
But anyway – until more details become available, there is no obvious culprit here (nor a clear crime).
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
I really hope the early report is closer to the truth. It is still strange that a film crew was issued a permission to film ON the fossil rocks, i.e. set up a scene there and all, as opposed to just filming the nature and use it as a backdrop. Shouldn’t have happened. Anyway, again, hopefully they let us know the extent of any damage soon.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Well said, I had the exact same thought when I read that post.
Jim HiggittQuote Reply
None of us have the salient facts – so all this is just conjecture.
But, in my experience (regarding building projects rather than sets, but some of the issues are similar) it is likely that the scenario went as follows:
HBO Production team apply for permission to use specific area – possibly local government, or specialist team who deal with film teams.
This team would have fairly generic terms to cover most items (including insurances – which may come into play here).
However there would be specific terms to cover specific sites (to manage such things as traffic, access rights, services, use of buildings – and of course environmental issues).
In this area, because of the environmental sensitivity I would have thought that an environmental brief was given to the the production team to place some onus on them to take responsibility for their activities etc. under the watching eye of the local environmental team (MEPA) – of course this maybe didn’t happen.
A method statement would have probably have been required to set out exactly what the production team were planing to do (and for it to accurately set out exactly what was to be done, and how it was to be cleared up afterwards).
Method statements would be commented upon / approved etc. before filming.
In this case – there could have been a breakdown at any point in communication, clearly established responsibilities etc. or that methods carried out on site differed from those previously agreed, that a proper brief (including the exact nature of the site and what was to be preserved etc.) was not issued…..
The list goes on.
As a complete aside…. I visited the set in Tollymore on a number of occasions, including this last weekend a good few weeks after production vacated the site. There is still some debris, including some rubbish scattered around the area that were definitely due to the production – must admit I was disappointed to see that, particularly as, being such a fan, I feel partly responsible.
Martin
MartinQuote Reply
Porcupine Tree,
Thank you, once again.
The point is that I still do not understand what is it and It would be almost impossible to recognize it, while walking on the beach.
And it is completely to someone more expert than I am to warn me, not to walk around.
The fact is that I am not going to set a fire in the mediterrenean wood (coming from the mediterranean country) cause I am aware of the wood and the possible damage (disaster) I could cause, but I certainly would walk on the fossils, because I would think it is bare rock (like @HrM said before me)…unless someone (gouvernement or local authority) protect the site or warn that I am going to destroy the eco-system.
Well, you are right, we do not know enough about the whole thing about what happened in Malta, so it just speculation, but I do not think (except for the few people), that most of us are insensitive for the plant.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Just to throw a freash log on the fire……..Is all that fake snow sprayed over Tollymore forest biodegradable?? And what about painting a mature tree white, did they use non-toxic paint? I am sure the answers are yes and yes, because it is the responsible thing to do, and I am sure HBO are well aware that negative publicity and law suits are to be avoided .
Two FeathersQuote Reply
Freash= fresh………DOH!
Two FeathersQuote Reply
Let’s talk about what’s really important here: Natalia Tena as Osha.
damphairQuote Reply
Two Feathers,
IIRC the stuff they used is called snowcel, which is made from paper and water…it disappears when it rains. Completely biodegradable.
Stella MarisQuote Reply
Holly crap..people are latching onto this, but have somehow forgotten that the BP oil spill has basically destroyed soo much of the US coastal regions in ghe Gulf of Mexico…I am not saying that this issue should be swept under the rug, but please, please put the frigging events into perspective!
But I guess that shows you how warped the world we live in really is!
loco73Quote Reply
Cool ,…but can you make a snowman or a snow castle with it?
Two FeathersQuote Reply
This was the stuff they used (made a note of it when we were perusing the Tollymore set):
http://www.snowbusiness.com/what-we-do/clearing-up.aspx
Interesting stuff :)
Loco73: I hardly think having one catastrophic environmental disaster means that you can ignore all other smaller incidents.
Martin
Martin
MartinQuote Reply
Off topic from the environmental issue. From the small mention of Fairley playing our Cat in GOT that had a few moments cameo as Hermione’s mother in HP7 pt1. I can honestly say. That I am not sold on her as Cat. I saw the movie last night and I have to say she looked nearly like the photo here except her hair was done differently.
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090529205025/harrypotter/images/thumb/0/06/Michelle_Fairley_1.jpg/250px-Michelle_Fairley_1.jpg
WolfheartQuote Reply
The cute Osha actress said: “We’ve been doing scenes in the forest.”
Uh oh.. please god, dont. Please god stop this immediately. Why? Rome was mostly scenes of people ridin’ horseys in the forest, and it was like.. totally boring. I wanted more roman architecture. Trees are phoney.
Phoney BoneQuote Reply
OhDanyBoy,
I assume you’re referring to American legal definitions, which aren’t universal. Wikipedia (conveniently) puts it in a way that I agree with:
The elements of common law murder are:
1.the killing
2.of a human being
3.by another human being
4.with malice aforethought.
Back on topic though.
Am I to understand that the issue was the fossil beds? All this talk of microhabitats had me thinking that actual living creatures were copping it in an extinction type of way…
GaRQuote Reply
Phoney Bone,
In the books half of her scenes are in a forest of some kind. Initially the Wolfswood (I think) when her and the other Wildlings attempt to rob Bran, and later in Winterfell’s Godswood. The remainder are in Winterfell itself, which we know hasn’t been skimped on.
GaRQuote Reply
Easy there Loco ,I was just illustrating a point..of course this thing with the alledged damage in Malta has and will be blown out of all proportion. The media tend to do that. I have not forgotten the BP disaster or the aluminium factory disaster in the Rhineland or Chernoble or the nuclear waste scandle, the list is endless. So yes I have plenty of ” friggen perspective” ..!!!!
Two FeathersQuote Reply
Phoney Bone,
Pretty much every one of her scenes are in the forest or in Winterfell. She doesn’t get around much in GoT.
VohdreQuote Reply
Trlababalane,
Sounds like the NC Outer Banks to me. :p And if so you’re spot on.
userjQuote Reply
John Galt
Posted November 22, 2010 at 10:48 am | Permalink
Gotta love those hippie lunatics. Older generation had commies, we have eco-terrorists…
And Ayn Rand fans. Don’t forget the Ayn Rand fans.
HugoQuote Reply
Bottom Line is HBO=deep pockets $$$$$
OldGranQuote Reply
Call me cynical, but I’m inclined to agree.
GaRQuote Reply
Meh, I’m just hoping this isn’t GoT’s version of Rome’s set fire. Expenses are expenses.
Critical GeekQuote Reply
loco73, GaR,
Two Feathers,
It seems apposite that you mention the Gulf disaster. Two environmental damage stories with problem contractors.
I hope HBO does not cop the blame as much as BP has (this has personally affected me long-term, UK pension companies have been hard hit by BP taking the flak for the problem instead of the contractors).
The fossil bed contains bottom dwelling organisms such as worms, starfish, snails, etc. The echinoderms are also called ‘sand dollars’ and are disc-shaped, with patterns where the spines grew out of their bodies.
As far as I can see, the report that the sand/dust was laid over bare rock, where very little lived, somehow mutated over several days and arguments into an accusation that the whole ecosystem under the imported sand had been obliterated.
So yes, the media, who are always out for a juicy story to attract and shock the punters, have played their usual games and, given the additional Maltese political wrangling, the story has grown and grown.
My hope is that not much damage will be found to have happened, and the story will fade away…
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
I would have to say its HBO’s fault, if they just kept the damn Dothraki away from the poison water none of this would of happened…
In all seriousness though, I agree that placing blame on either party as of now is to soon. Lets get some more facts first.
tokelazorQuote Reply
YEAH!!
http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2010/11/22/the-artisans-tommy-dunne.html
Herr FickQuote Reply
Breathe….. remember to breathe……….. O.M.G…….
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
I’d have liked a wolf-headed pommel on one of the swords next to him, but I guess you can’t have it all, eh? :)
Johan SporreQuote Reply
Herr Fick,
The mountain that rides, uses a sword thats bigger than Neds Ice…mmm k…..
Ice being nearly as big as a man and all…I watched and thought. The swords lengths should be reversed by description but by I guess how tall the person is…its understandable…
WolfheartQuote Reply
Wolfheart,
The books don’t compare the two swords directly. They’re both big 2-handers. I can live with the Mountain’s being bigger, tbh.
In other news, my internets are still nerfed. I must drop in and visit someone after work and steal some of theirs…
GaRQuote Reply
John Galt,
Eco Terrorist? ………..A bit hyperbolic huh?
Come On already and get off your damn soap box!
In this over populated and capitalist world; environmental impacts need to be a concern for ALL projects. Now I do not know the protocols for permit issuances for MALTA, but here in the USA we have a pretty good procedure for preventing such mishaps…its called the 404 Permits under the Clean Water Act which serves to protect water ways (wetlands) from unlawful fill and removal. Now I understand that the site was not a wetland to begin with; but any impacts could have been avoided if the civil authority of MALTA had a program and procedures in place to begin with. A process which would have examined the potential impacts of said project and events for environmental and wildlife impacts, with a list of proposed alternatives. With no procedure in place, it is likely that both the local government and production company could and SHOULD be held liable for any lingering impacts. If corporations are people too, with rights to free speach (thank you US Supreme Court!?/) than are we not all responsible for our actions?
What happens now that the shoot is over? Filling in an area with exposed soils (sand) increases the risk of non-point sources of pollution within the local watershed which if left untreated could have lingering effects on the ecology for years to come. Simple and CHEAP Best Management Practices could have been implemented to mitigate such impacts.
Others are right in that we have few facts to start pointing our fingers too aggressively; but your obvious bias against those who work to protect and restore wildlife habitat is childish at best and belittles the conversation.
“Eco-Terrorist” more like “Hyperbolic Terrorist”
Bryan DugganQuote Reply
Bryan Duggan,
Calm down. He weren’t calling anyone ecoterrorists, he was commenting on the shifted perception of evil in the world since the end of the Cold War.
Or at least that’s how I read it.
GaRQuote Reply
THIS ++++++ :D
alan777Quote Reply
I think it’s a very small little organization milking their press notice for all its worth, frankly. If the site is that unspeakably fragile, why did they even consider giving permission to film there?
KGQuote Reply
Apparently no one warned Malta that Winter was coming.
feyrbandQuote Reply
feyrband, I had to chuckle at your wry observation.
tokelazor, I agree wholeheartedly.
alan777, I won’t deign to comment.
Herr Fick, your scoop gave me a disturbed night (pun intended)!
Porcupine TreeQuote Reply
I’m thinking that this is a set-up for a shake-down.
The damage is probably wildly exaggerated. It is a fake reason to demand more money from HBO if they want to film in malta again. Who-ever is doing this knows that they can probably get away with this because if the series is a succes HBO will want to film again on Malta and will be prepared to pay something. Filming anywhere else added with CGI will not be as good or very expensive. If the extortioners will not be too greedy it will be ok with HBO to just pay up.
I have no evidence for this, just a cynical mind. Things like this happen all the time everywhere.
DahnQuote Reply
GaR,
Uhmmm, sorry. I thought I was being pretty calm. If you read my post as being offensive, then I really can’t help you. I made no personal attacks.
However, this is beside the point; as a wildlife professional who loves the Fire and Ice series; and as a brother of a cinematographer; I believe a conversation of the environmental impacts incurred by film productions is a valid one to have.
Am I crazy? Do I need to “calm down” or can I too partake in this discussion?
Bryan DugganQuote Reply
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