THERE'S a sign on a quiet country road in the heart of Co Antrim. It states simply – No Drones.
This incongruous sign gives an indication of the security which surrounds the filming of Game of Thrones. And six seasons in, nothing has changed as there’s always a high price for a paparazzo to earn taking photographs of GOT on location.
As part of a visit held in conjunction with Northern Ireland Screen and HBO, a group of overseas journalists and I were taken by bus to witness scenes being filmed in medieval Shane’s Castle in Co Antrim.
We stood in dank catacombs and watched on monitors as Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jaime Lannister, ran through scenes with Lena Headey – his on-screen sister and erstwhile lover Cersei.
Below ground we interviewed Coster-Waldau. Headey also took a break from filming to hint at what was next in store for her character after her infamous degrading and naked atonement walk through the streets of King’s Landing in season five.
Earlier in the day we’d been given an extensive tour of the Paint Hall studios in the middle of Belfast's ever-expanding Titanic Quarter. Construction manager Tom Martin took charge as he led us through the sets famous from the show, including the setting for the gory bloodbath of the Red Wedding, and the highlight, the mythical Iron Throne, which looked imposing even off screen on an empty set.
Sadly, the 85ft ice wall, which in GoT is the colossal fortification that stretches along the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms, defending the realm from the wildlings who live to the north, has been dismantled.
It had been coated in locally sourced sea salt to allow daring cast members to grab on and scale it. Ninety five per cent of all materials used on GoT are locally sourced – there are 16 apprentices on site as well as plasterers, electricians and joiners. In total, there’s about 1,200 people locally involved with the production. Each set is made with jaw-dropping attention to detail.
We were also taken to the vast costume room which is home to the working wardrobes of more than 3,000 extras. Costumes aren’t washed; the key is to have them looking dirty – the dirtier the better – with alcohol spray used to keep them sanitary.
Extras arrive on set wearing leggings and T-shirts before being fitted into their wardrobe, which has been appropriately aged by a dedicated team.
We were also shown around the armoury unit with blacksmith Steven Murphy – one of many traditional craftsmen who have found a home on set. Intricate swords, scythes and even a White Walker's weapon was wielded – all just as dangerous in the wrong hands off screen as on.
