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Game of Thrones: Stunning visual effects reel separates the real from the fake in season five

Fans can now see how some of the most impressive scenes were created

Jess Denham
Thursday 16 July 2015 10:43 EDT
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The visual effects in Game of Thrones are famously impressive
The visual effects in Game of Thrones are famously impressive (HBO)

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Ever wondered which buildings and sets are real and which are fake on Game of Thrones? Well now you can see the visual effects process for yourself, in a new behind-the-scenes reel from the VFX team.

The Mackevision video shows how digital artists brought the stunning environments to life in season five over a gruelling six months.

The Emmy Award-winning company was given the huge task of creating some of the hit HBO show's most iconic environments, including King's Landing and the Iron Bank.

The City of Braavos required special focus, while the House of Black and White was also brought to life thanks to some impressive CGI skills.

VFX supervisor Joern Grosshans led a team of 34 artists to realise everything from the Red Keep fortress to ships complete with water simulations and matte paintings of panoramas.

If you enjoyed the above video, then check out the CGI breakdown of the epic Battle of Hardhome that took a solid month to film and was put together by El Ranchito.

Seeing how the undeads skulls were crushed is particularly interesting, as is the way Kit Harrington's Jon Snow convincingly slays enemies that weren't even there.

Game of Thrones is now off air after the dramatic season five finale last month, but is expected to return next spring for an already confirmed sixth run.

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