HBO and Martin

[Shacklock]

Originally Posted by Werthead

Latest news from Weis and Benioff: slightly unexpectedly, the UK has emerged as the most likely shooting location. HBO are still looking at the alternatives, but apparently the UK's pool of acting talent, our numerous castles and the decline of the pound against the dollar have made it the front-runner.

In addition, they have confirmed that they will be increasing the ages of most, if not all, of the younger characters for both obvious reasons (the sexual content) but also simply practical ones: the amount of time that minors can spend on set is extremely limited.

Makes sense. A lot of Westeros is semi-british anyway. Increasing ages, ergh, thats a bit meh...but makes sense.

[Charming Serpent]

Im 28, but can stay on set and location as Oberyn full time. :P

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Charming Serpent

Im 28, but can stay on set and location as Oberyn full time. :P

Confidence is a good thing CS. Keep at it and one day you will score. Just don't let Boaz near you with his hand-painted resin statuettes...

[Boaz]

Metal miniatures, not resin stauettes. Sheesh, you'd make a lousy forty year old virgin!

[Werthead]

The Winter is Coming blog has an interesting review of the Game of Thrones pilot script here.

Some thoughts:

• Having the map of Westeros in the title sequence is a canny and necessary move, as the viewers will be reminded of the geography every week.
• The prospect of 'new' (albeit GRRM-approved and possibly tweaked) scenes may be distressing, but as with most of the new 'good' stuff in the Lord of the Rings movies (i.e. not Aragorn getting thrown over a cliff for no reason) these scenes flesh out the story and better establish character rather than be gratuitous additions to the plot. Getting our first glimpse of Tyrion in a brothel establishes facets of the character better than just seeing him arrive in Winterfell's courtyard.
• At this stage, no flashbacks. Whilst I'd hope we eventually see the Tower of Joy 'in the flesh' as it were (in Ned's dream sequence), the decision to have only dialogue references to the War of the Usurper and Lyanna's death seems reasonable. However, I do really want to see the Rhaegar/Robert fight as it is an iconic image from the novels, often used in artwork. Again, maybe we get to see it later on.
• The Others' full capabilities are not revealed in as much detail as in the novel, presumably to make later sequences more of a surprise.
• Condensing Dany's story into larger, but less frequent chunks may be a good idea, similar to how smaller secondary characters are handled in other HBO shows such as The Wire and Rome. Following the book slavishly would only give us 5-minute bursts of Dany every week or so, whilst this scheme means she won't be in every episode, but will have big chunks of time when she does so.
• Most encouraging is the news that both the Wall and Dany's storylines will be followed faithfully from episode one. There had been much speculation that both may have been marginalised or not even featured in the first season, but clearly the writers are playing for keeps here.

[Orion]

So, what happens when they get to AFFC and GRRM's not done with the series yet?

[Bazza]

Ohhh man just read the summary of the script. It sounds just like the book! I like the idea of the Others' scene being changed. I can see the scene fading from a group of Others circling Waymar Royce, closing in slowly with their swords held up high like in LOTR when the ringwraiths slowly close in on frodo. That scene gave me chills! I will have to brace myself though, I'm sure there will be some additions I will have to grit my teeth through. We can however just think of it as continuations of the book where GRRM didn't have time to talk about. I mean, it's got his stamp of approval on it right? As long as it's in the spirit of the character I think it'll be alright for me.

I will be bummed though if they completely do away with flashbacks. I want my Tower of Joy scene! But if they do add in the scene won't it give it away that she's dieing in childbirth?

[Charming Serpent]

Not if they do the shot from a close angle perhaps. Envision the picture about 2 to a few feet away tilted to be over Neds shoulder enough where it shows Lyanna chest up and turned enough to show Neds face?

Another could be a kneeling side shot. At the same distance u shoot the scene at the same height as the bed she is in, but from the side, chest up?

[TK-421]

Holly crap, I just read the summary of the script and...well...I got really excited. This is going to rock! Period! I don't give a sh*& how much HBO Canada costs a month, I will get it when we finally get a airing date for the pilot.

[Gambit]

I know right, it looks likes its going to be done really well. Alas, I'm in school and HBO there costs a ridiculous amount of money, maybe it's time to get a job

or wait on the dvd's... but i don't think i could stand reading posts on the series without having seen it myself

[Lady of Winterfell]

The first episode sounds great! Can't wait. I understand the need to add some new things to the script, and leave some things out from the book, and I think they have done a good job with that in the first episode.

[the smiling weirwood]

I'm not reading the script. I'm going to let myself be totally enthralled the first time without any foreknowledge. I want to experience it purely.

[Culhwch]

It's not a full script, just a synopsis. And there isn't anything in there that you don't know is going to happen already....

[Boaz]

Originally Posted by the smiling weirwood

I'm not reading the script. I'm going to let myself be totally enthralled the first time without any foreknowledge. I want to experience it purely.

You really are a hippie, aren't you?

[the smiling weirwood]

Uh, duh.