Ep 15: Game of Thrones Tutorial

Topic: Game of Thrones Tutorial

 

This week, we're diving in to the fantastical and 8 years in the making to get to.  Game of Thrones might of just ended, but Mother hadn't seen a single episode, so we're going to do some tutorial on it.  

 

Nerd Tutorial Podcast

Topic: Game of Thrones

Intro:

Welcome to the Nerd Tutorial Podcast.

A Podcast giving a tutorial about nerdy topics, for those who aren’t quite so nerdy themselves.

With you today is myself, your Nerdy Tutor, George. And Whitty Title, my Mom. Welcome.

Tutorial:

Game of Thrones is based off George R.R. Martin’s Books “A Song of Fire and Ice”.
Initial Publication 1996, “Game of Thrones” was the first book.
Took 5 years to write.

Books were intended as trilogy, later decided to be seven books.
Thus far only five books have been released:
• A Game of Thrones (1996)
• A Clash of Kings (1998)
• A Storm of Swords (2000)
• A Feast for Crows (2005)
• A Dance with Dragons (2011)
• The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
• A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)

Chapters take place from First Person point of view, with major characters being ‘Point of View’ characters for the events taking place near them. Characters are unaware of actions of other characters unless it is communicated to them directly, or they witness them for themselves

Planning for the show started in 2007 when show runners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss pitched HBO on the series.
Initial pilot episode was show in 2009, but HBO didn’t like it and asked for another Pilot.
Series debuted on HBO in April of 2011.
Series concluded on Season 8 in May 2019.

Plot:
Primarily set in the fictional lands of Westeros, and also Essos, series follows the political scheming and machinations of various characters vying for leadership of their perspective kingdoms/regions. World is Medieval in nature, with magic being rare/semi-nonexistent. Series follows three primary groups:

Northerners
• A major kingdom in the north, they pledge loyalty King’s Landing and the King of Westeros.
• House Stark
o Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) [Warden of the North / Hand of the King]
o Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) [Wife]
o Robb Stark (Richard Madden)
o Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner)
o Arya Stark (Maisie Williams)
o Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright)
o Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson)
o Jon Snow (Kit Harington) [Bastard]
o Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) [Ward / Political Prisoner]

King’s Landing
• Seat of Power for Westeros. Home of the Iron Throne.
• House Baratheon & House Lannister
o Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) [King]
o Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) [Queen / Wife]
o Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) [Brother / King Slayer]
o Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) [Imp / Brother]
o Bronn (Jerome Flynn)
o Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson)
o Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance)
o Gregor Clegane (Conan Stevens/Ian Whyte/Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson) [Mountain]
o Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) [Hound]
o Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) [Littlefinger]
o Varys (Conleth Hill)

Essos / Other Side of the Known World
• Events happening across the world, Dethroned former Rules
o Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) [Warlord of Dothraki]
o Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) [Daenerys Stormborn / Khaleesi / Mother of Dragons]
o Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd)
o Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen)

Why it’s of Interest:
Show takes a unique plotting that allows characters to organically interact with each other.
Show can seem unpredictable, as events have consequences
Plot armor is non-existent

George R. R. Martin doesn’t know what events will take place, or if characters will survive interactions they are placed in.
Characters are created and let loose in the world to organically live/die as necessity.
Characters act with their own agency.

Show has a big budget for Special Effects and Pageantry
Lots of Period Peace costumes & props.
Filmed all over the world
Average budget 6-8 million for early episodes
Season 7+ about 10+ million for each episode.

Huge Fan Base
Lot of actors became bigger names because of show.