In an interview, Sven Martin of Pixomondo discussed the excitement and challenges of bringing the dragons to life. Let’s delve into the fascinating process.
Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons are pivotal in the series. From their hatching in season one to their fully grown forms, and the tragic loss of one to the Night King, the dragons have captivated audiences. But who are the creative minds behind these magnificent creatures?
Over time, numerous artists have contributed to the dragons’ creation. Notable figures include VFX supervisors Joe Bauer and Steve Kullback, along with various vendors under their guidance, such as the VFX house Pixomondo.
In an interview, Sven Martin of Pixomondo shared the team’s enthusiasm and the hurdles they overcame. When asked about the creative process, he explained, “I think what most people can’t imagine is, how many different living animals influenced the dragons. Birds and bats were used as flying reference and for anatomy studies, multiple types of lizards and crocodiles were used as models for skin structure and details, and even cheetahs were used as texture patterns. HBO production VFX supervisor Joe Bauer, for example, came up with the idea to add unfolding frills to the dragon design as threatening posture- a feature also existing in nature on the so called ‘frilled lizards’”.
Regarding the biggest challenge in their creation and evolution, Sven noted, “Technically, the main challenge was to add all the extra detail which increased drastically with their every year’s growth. For example, one single chest scale of the adult dragon is roughly the size of the full baby dragon in season two.” He also highlighted how each artist developed a unique connection with the dragons, knowing them intimately.
He also expressed surprise at the dragons’ popularity after season 2, despite their limited screen time. When asked about his emotional connection, he admitted that it was a relief another VFX team handled the death of Viserion, as their team felt the loss deeply.
What are your thoughts on this creative process?
By Pinkvilla Desk
