Game of Thrones VFX: Behind the Scenes in Daznak’s Pit
“The Dance of Dragons,” arguably the second best episode of Game of Thrones Season 5 (“Hardhome” being number one), showcased some of the show’s very best special effects work. Wired recently posted a new video showing how much of it was done.
After torching our hearts with the death of Shireen Baratheon, Game of Thrones cut to Meereen and the gladiatorial games in Daznak’s Pit. Even though I, as a book reader, was expecting the intervention of Drogon, I was not prepared for the Sons of the Harpy ambush, and was shocked by the death of Hizdahr zo Loraq, Dany’s betrothed. Then, as if the intense excitement of the ambush wasn’t enough, the tender moments between Jorah and Dany and then Dany and Missandei were enough to bring a man (me) to tears.
Add in Drogon’s spine-tingling Harpy barbecue, and the events at Daznak’s Pit were nearly enough for me to forgive the show the lazy scenes in Dorne, and that couldn’t have happened without the convincing (for TV—let’s be reasonable) special effects. As you can see from the video, “The Dance of Dragons” definitely earned Game of Thrones its Emmy nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects…although I still would have gone with “Hardome.”
H/T Huffington Post