A brace of updates for you guys. First, Fire and Blood Productions Ltd. is looking for a production manager to handle the shooting of behind-the-scenes content including interviews. You have time to apply until August. The most interesting part of the whole affair can be found in this particular paragraph (emphasis added):
We plan to shoot [behind-the-scenes material] approximately 80 days over the period from late August – December. Position will likely include travel to far Northern and Southern shooting locations: outside of UK and Ireland. Ideal candidate should be highly organized, personable and have field producing experience.
So, filming will possibly be taking place north of the UK as well, not only on southern locations such as Malta, and maybe Croatia or Morocco. What far northern location has been mentioned in connection with Thrones? That’s right, Iceland! I guess that option we wrote about in December is still on, then – lands beyond the wall, here we come.
Furthermore, we have received some reliable information that HBO is interested in using a certain natural park location, namely the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. See the photo above and google for more. Could not ask for a better Pyke on the Iron Islands, could you? Commenters have pointed out that fabulous site in the past, and now it could well come to pass that we are going to see it on the telly next spring.
UPDATE: In addition, some photos from an unidentified NI set (near Banbridge) have found their way online. Any ideas? The locations for season 2 also include Downhill and Benone, according to our sources.
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45 Comments
Cool.
Angel AndresQuote Reply
It would be a bit counterintuitive to shoot scenes north of the wall in Iceland since most of the country is barren and is pretty far from the forrestfilled north beyond the wall but I guess the relatively small amout of forrests they have might still be enough to find somewhere to shoot.
Ingemar SvenssonQuote Reply
Nice Iron islands local.
CyanQuote Reply
Wow, PERFECT location for Pyke!
What’s this about filming starting in late August, though?
LexQuote Reply
We’ve been there many a time – it’s a great spot :)
It’s an awkward site to get to, not only do you have the bridge, but you have a steep steps – I certainly wouldn’t fancy lugging any equipment over to it. The only way they could get any equipment onto that island realistically is by boat and rope ‘n tackle – unless they build another bridge !
Probably best use would be as a back-drop.
I think it is also a protected bird nesting area (might be wrong on that one), there are certainly lots of birds nesting on the cliffs.
Wyvernwood /Martin EQuote Reply
Yeah..did they postpone the start of the filming to the late august?
The_Rabbit01Quote Reply
I believe that filming is due to take place as Ballintoy Harbour in August – certainly speaking with local businesses, that is what they believe. So any filming at Carrick-a-rede would probably follow on from that.
They have already been hard at work on the site used for the Winterfell Godswood in S1 – and there are possible other locations at that same site.
On my way in this morning, there were a slew of production crew lorries heading towards the site.
Wyvernwood /Martin EQuote Reply
I was at that rope-bridge last Monday, and thought how that scenery would fit perfectly for GoT :) And specifically the scene where Balon is killed.
Johan SporreQuote Reply
It’ll be a cool pYke. I suppose they are only going to film a couple of establishing shots there (Asha and Theon entering Pyke, mainly). So, even if it’s a difficult place to reach, it shouldn’t be a huge problem.
KateQuote Reply
I guess that they are using the location as a backgroundplate for establishing shots mainly (put a CGcastle on top of it) and maybe film the scene with Balon. But since it seams to be a protected area, no or little set building will take place.
From the pics of the set I like the third one the most, with the nice rolling hills in the background. I have a feeling that this has something to do with Arya’s travel. Maybe they are building Harrenhal… It certainly looks too big to be simply Renly’s camp.
Chris77Quote Reply
Ingemar Svensson,
I would think Frostfangs and the glaciers and such … more suitable than the Haunted Forest, you are absolutely right.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
As to August: that’s when they start shooting the behind-the-scenes material! S2 rolls on Monday ;)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Monday start synchs with the increased presence of Production vehicles on our roads :)
Wyvernwood /Martin EQuote Reply
Reading the ad, it seems to me that the filming from Late August may be specific to the position advertised – i.e for the behind the scenes stuff.
Principal filming could certainly start earlier – establishing shots and the like
Ax0rQuote Reply
Dang, they should have come to Finland to film the north side of the wall, would have been happy to audition as one of the anonymous grunts standing in the backround.
VaariQuote Reply
Iceland for some Dragonstone scenes due to the volcano??
Dubrovnik for Dragonstone, Spilt for Quarth I think. These bridge things for Pyke and Iron Islands, and Iceland for some scenes on Dragonstone…
Pretty cool!!!
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
Finland would totally fit my imagination for north of teh wall!!!!
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
Straid Hill Plantation would be great location
Samuel DuncanQuote Reply
I wonder, was there ever a production in history that used this many locations (countries) in a single season? Probably not…
William Aaron GrandyQuote Reply
William Aaron Grandy,
Finland might be too expensive shooting location, I’m afraid. Not sure about how they price the filming stuff in here, but generally it’s not very cheap in here. Alot of forest and empty space to film though. You don’t need to go far from pretty much any city to be in the middle of nowhere. Not very much high places, just big ridges, swamps and alot of lakes. In Sweden and Norway there are the scandic mountains, but Norway is propably even more expensive place to film.
I think these music videos have it nicely covered:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=estsP41eu7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtBkWRs-_IQ
VaariQuote Reply
As soon as I saw the pic, I thought “PYKE!!”
As long as they’re forking over fistfuls of money to the local economy in Northern Ireland and save money by not having to build themselves a rope bridge (or CGI a rope bridge against a green screen), HBO will find a way to make it happen.
AziraphaleQuote Reply
They’ll have to CGI it eventually (there’s no castles there), or at least make an indoor one they have better control over for any close shots (8 average people on the ACTUAL bridge at a time, and you’re looking at 2 cast plus cameraman, sound, and lighting…).
I imagine they’ll probably do some plate shots there, photoshop in some of Dunluce (it’s in better nick than most) and possibly Dunseverick and Kinbane/Kenbane too. It’s a pity Kinbane/Kenbane is so inaccessible though. Still, nice for plate shots.
Mussenden looks too nice to be run by Greyjoys.
If there are only 3 countries being discussed, and 2 of those are Malta and NI…. then is the third location Croatia or is it Iceland? It can’t be both, unless someone’s decided 3 means 4. … or if Malta is no longer on the cards because Croatia does a better King’s Landing??
QthulhuQuote Reply
Qthulhu,
Good point. AFAIK they are still indicating NI + 2 other overseas locations.
Assuming Malta is still in – at least for Kings Landing – that leaves either Iceland or Croatia.
Wyvernwood /Martin EQuote Reply
Back to scavenging for all the rumors and tidbits on filming..
This site makes me happy :)
Matt KellyQuote Reply
Eoin tells me that Ballintoy will be getting used for filming. That’s next door to the rope bridge. He says the harbour is getting used too.
Jackie MacPhersonQuote Reply
http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/06/ni-harbor-a-possible-season-two-location/ Yes :)
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Probably. Would be (have been) awesome if they filmed those scenes here, though.
This more or less looks like beyond the wall to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hmyvQKH8wo
sjweningsQuote Reply
Hear Me Roar,
Spoke to local business people there. Location is supposedly confirmed for a few days filming only + a period for setting up. Filming is due to take place in mid-late August (not sure on exact dates). Not sure on accuracy, but it dovetails with details that we do know.
The area includes a small harbour, small stone cottage (used as a cafe), a stone lime kiln and a rocky area of beach.
I would guess it will be used for the mooring scene as Theon disembarks (although it is only a tiny harbour – it could be used for small vessels, with CGI) + possible drowning scenes ?
Wyvernwood /Martin EQuote Reply
I was stationed 18 months in Keflavik, Iceland. Weather was nasty almost the whole time I was there.
It would make a great backdrop for a show like GoT, although I hope the weather cooperates with them.
John WQuote Reply
I’m just trying to think ahead.
Ignore the exteriors because once a competent production has shot the location you’ve got all the plates you need. Ignore the interiors because they’re all in NI but could be rebuilt it absolutely necessary.
NI has more than enough ruins to fill in for as many crumbling outposts along the Wall as you need, Castle Black (too bloody big to move that) and it seems to have been satisfactory for the “Dothraki Sea”. Climate is workable but good luck finding consistent snow or sunshine.
Malta has a barely identifiable Sept of Baelor and Littlefinger’s brothel. Neither is particularly vital *externally* unless you’re doing a lot of filler. Lots of solid coastal fortresses though. Rabbit warren coastal streets. No snow. Lots of sun.
Croatia has a ton of solid looking coastal fortresses and cosmetically well maintained castles inland. Rabbit warren coastal streets. There’s snow and sun.
Iceland. Snow. Volcanoes, geysers. No castles, no fortresses, decent amount of turf houses though.
Croatia looks like Malta+. NI limps along on the hope that moving/rebuilding Castle Black plus interiors would cost more than it benefits and that the bulk of the North is in ruins. Iceland……. I just don’t see the advantage compared to everywhere else. It’s not like Valyria needs seen, and how much snow do you really need for north of the Wall??
Despite that, I still think NI-Croatia-Iceland makes more sense than NI-Malta-Iceland. Iceland is pretty unique, but IMHO there’s nothing on Malta that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.
QthulhuQuote Reply
We’re stuck on the mention of three locations. I think there could still be more, potentially. Far north and far south mentioned in the call is likely, but not a given. Still shaping up, I guess. I has been, until recently, they have to peg it down soon.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
I drank a Red Bull and had an epiphany – Aeron Damphair cut from season 2. There’s nothing he adds that you cannot give to someone else. I will be happy to be proved wrong!
QthulhuQuote Reply
Wyvernwood /Martin E,
It makes sense, only a few exteriors and establishing shots. The rest they will want to do indoors as much as possible.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
sjwenings,
Yes, that’s what I pictured too. Plus they could easily do the iron island there too. The coast is harsh. You do not sow there.
AvuQuote Reply
I found really interesting the fact that we have not got yet a confirmation of Malta being the second location.
The RabbitQuote Reply
Yeah, maybe Malta is no longer useful. I’m sure it’s not helped they’d be under excessive scrutiny back there too (scrutiny is good, but tabloids constantly sniffing around your set gets tired real fast).
Oh, and as to the update re: Downhill and Benone, thats basically Mussenden Temple and the beach beneath it.
http://www.virtualvisit-northernireland.com/gallery.aspx?dataid=72001&id=869&title=Castles%20and%20Monuments
There’s a ruined estate too -
http://www.whatsonni.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Downhill-Demesne1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downhill_House
The Temple is funky because it’s on the edge of a cliff but I’m not sure about the ruin, looks more like a southron derelict than something of the North or the Iron Islands.
QthulhuQuote Reply
That location is Pyke as I’ve seen it in my head. Just throw in some rain, thunder, dark clouds, and gusts of winds causing the rope bridge to sway vigorously and it will be perfect!
furreverQuote Reply
A prop inside the Paint Hall.
The RabbitQuote Reply
The Rabbit, looks like something from Dragonstone to me.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Qthulhu,
I’d heard that it’s the forest that they are using at Downhill – it’s on the other side of the road to the main Musenden / House / Lion Gate section – although there are also some nice stretches of wooded walks within the National Trust area.
If there are any fans heading up that way – I can also recommend the Willow Tea Rooms, had a great lunch there, although we did break down and have to wait it out for a couple of hours for the AA.
Martin EQuote Reply
Greenland in winter could be perfect for some of the beyond the wall shots that don’t involve forests. It would however be wildly impractical to film a major production in.
Harry HoggQuote Reply
Where exactly is Carrick-a-Rede? The scenery in that pic is gorgeous but it looks oddly familiar… *scratches head*
BroQuote Reply
Having spent 3 winters camped in Norway for field exercises. I have no trouble picturing the haunted forest there. Though the black forest would work too.
Shock MeQuote Reply
Saw lots of little pink signs round my village that said ‘GOT’. As it happens they are going to be filming some scenes for Games of Thrones in a small village called Straid in Northern Ireland. Some really nice forest and ground there.
Ross HamiltonQuote Reply
Bro,
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge is up at the top of Northern Ireland near Portrush (North Coast). Some amazing sites up there including the Giants Causeway and where if you cross the alantic ocean you would be in America!
Ross HamiltonQuote Reply