What Game of Thrones looked like before adding special effects

As mentioned, when it comes to spectacle on Game of Thrones, one of the areas in which the special effects team truly outdid themselves was in their depiction of Dany’s dragons. Most impressive, perhaps, was how they developed the creatures from adorable little fire-breathing gnats to fiery beasts of the sky feared by all but their equally fearsome human Momma. That Mommy-dragon relationship proved vital to the show throughout its run, particularly as the dragons grew and Daenerys began riding them. We can only imagine that, even from the early days of the show, Game of Thrones‘ special effects gurus were simultaneously dreading and welcoming the challenge of depicting Dany’s dragon rides in a realistic manner. We have to say, though, that when the fateful first ride came, the team’s use of green screen, CGI, and that giant mechanical bull-dragon contraption made it one of the most magical moments in television history – and those dragon rides only got more intricate, and more impressive from there.

Written by: Looper