Dispatches From The Seven Kingdoms: A Dispatch From Hollywood

AROUND THE WEB
by Bryan Cogman

"Later came sweetbreads and pigeon pie and baked apples fragrant with cinnamon and lemon cakes frosted in sugar, but by then Sansa was so stuffed that she could not manage more than two little lemon cakes, as much as she loved them."  -A Game of Thrones

HOLLYWOOD, CA - Hello friends. It's been a while. I believe my last dispatch was from Malta?!  Forgive me, faithful readers.  I was pulled in about a thousand directions once I was back in Belfast what with shooting the final episodes while simultaneously beginning post production work.  And the last month of production proved most challenging - we were hit with some harsh December weather - the worst in Belfast since 1982.  Apparently the Gods failed to remember the tagline of our show is "Winter is ComING."  

Thankfully, between the Maester's Path, the "Artisan" and "House" videos, and the first several scenes of the series premiere previewing the weekend before last, I'm confident you've had plenty to keep you occupied. And last week I had the distinct pleasure of indulging in HBO's latest "Thrones"-related promotion when I dropped by the Game of Thrones Food Truck, with delectable dishes created exclusively for GOT fans by world-class chef Tom Colicchio.

CRAFT is one of my favorite restaurants (haven't had the chance to try Colicchio & Sons, but am dying to when I'm in NYC next) so, naturally, I was thrilled when I was informed he was creating dishes based on various regions in Westeros and across the Narrow Sea.

My wife Mandy and I sampled both dishes, inspired by the capital of Westeros, King's Landing. The first was a succulent roast rabbit dish with lemon and these crazy-good stewed pistachios.  The second (and my favorite) was a delicious crispy trout served with an incredible almond butter mostarda... oh MAN! So good.

Lemon cakes for dessert. Unlike Sansa Stark, I am not so easily stuffed and would have been able to eat a whole lot more than two if given the opportunity. Another highlight of our visit was I had the chance to meet and chat with a few fans of the books (and hopefully) the show.  Great to see such a large turnout.

Quick update about what I've been up to since I've been back in the states.  I've been keeping busy since we wrapped working with the HBO Home Entertainment people on some exciting special features for the show's Season One Bluray.  Otherwise, I'm eagerly awaiting the show's premiere on April 17th. Thanks again, to you all, for your enthusiastic support of the show.  

Until, next time, friends,

Ours is the Fury!

Dispatches From The Seven Kingdoms: Speaking Dothraki

ON THE SET
by Bryan Cogman

MANIKATA, Malta - Man, it's hot today.  And the flies!  The flies are showing me no mercy.  What is it about me that attracts these creatures??  Today we're in a small, picturesque farming village called Manikata, which has been transformed into the Village of the Lhazareen.  I'm here with the Dothraki horde; they've just raided the village and are looting it for spoils.  Typical Tuesday at 'Game of Thrones' really.

Today's scene is notable in that it's almost entirely spoken in "Dothraki."  While there are bit and pieces of the Dothraki tongue in the books, our linguist (David Peterson, of the Language Creation Society) has created a complete language for the show.  Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo) is spitting out a particularly vicious bit of dialogue now as he confronts an insubordinate warrior.

Until next time, friends,

Eyél várthasoe she ilekaán ríkhoya arrekaán vékha vósi yeroón vósma tolórro!

Dispatches From The Seven Kingdoms: The Favored Hand

ON THE SET
by Bryan Cogman

WARNING: POTENTIAL (MINOR) SPOILERS AHEAD

SAN ANTON'S PALACE, Malta - The waters are rising.  I'm in my chair in Video Village, feet up, knees tucked to my chest...as the muddy water creeps ever higher.  Rain pounding against the tent flaps!Flooding!  Wasn't Malta supposed to be dry this time of year???

The waters continue to rise!  Soon we'll have to swim for it.  What's to be done?  Thankfully, our stalwart line producer Chris Newman exclaims: "The drains!"  Turns out we covered up the drains earlier this morning as they read too modern, hence the flooded courtyard.  Chris wades out to the various drains, opens them up and the waters finally recede.  We're saved!

A short time later and everything's dry.  We're shooting a few scenes from Episode VIII today at San Anton's Palace, which is the official residence of the President himself.  We'll be here for several days utilizing the courtyards, colonnades, and gardens of this 15th century palace for various scenes in the Red Keep, the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms.

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Dispatches From The Seven Kingdoms: Heading to Malta

ON THE SET
by Bryan Cogman

MDINA, Malta - What day is this?  Where am I?  I'm a bit wired and confused.  Even more than usual.  Been traveling for almost 20 hours...  After a brief visit to New York I flew to Dublin, then Frankfurt, then Malta, with some long layovers in between.  I can't sleep on planes so I filled the time the way I always do these days: rereading 'A Song of Ice and Fire.'  About halfway through my fifth read of 'A Clash of Kings.'  It's a good thing I love these books.  Still, it might be good for my sanity if I force myself to read something else once in a while - any suggestions, loyal readers?

We'll be shooting material for nine episodes in Malta for several weeks.  I'll be here for about three weeks for the first block - Episodes III through VIII (Brian Kirk and Dan Minahan directing).  Filming on Episodes I & II continues in Belfast (Tim Van Patten at the helm) and Alan Taylor has begun prep on Episodes IX and X.  Needless to say, it's a lot to keep straight. 

Today we're in Mdina, the old capital of Malta.  We're using this atmospheric, medieval walled city for various exterior scenes set in King's Landing, the capital city of Westeros.  I want to be careful to avoid spoilers here, so all I can say is today we're filming an important showdown from Episode V, featuring some impressive swordplay. 

Until next time, friends,

Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken.

Dispatches From The Seven Kingdoms: Corpses and Horses

ON THE SET
by Bryan Cogman

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - Some more quotes recently overheard on the "GoT" set:

"KNEEL!"

"You're tall like I'm small."

"Uh-oh, his leg's shaking...he's angry."

"Can we move that corpse to the right? As close to the horse as is safe..."

"Ánha tih mahrazhés fin kásha chakát karlín. That sound right?"

Until next time, friends,

Family, Duty, Honor