The Spielberg Effect on Shakman
Matt Shakman, the genius behind some of the coolest Game of Thrones episodes, is a huge fan of Steven Spielberg. In fact, Spielberg’s craft had a significant impact on Shakman when it came to creating scenes for the famous fantasy show, Game of Thrones.
The Exciting Build-up to the Show’s End
As Game of Thrones was nearing its end in 2019, Shakman had the job of directing one of the most anticipated episodes – second from the last one. The episode was like a roller coaster ride featuring a horrific battle where Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke, destroyed King’s Landing using dragon fire. Shakman says you could definitely see Spielberg’s touch in that shocking sequence.
Dealing with Some Heat from the Fans
Not all viewers were happy with Shakman’s choice to turn Daenerys into a hardcore villain, which was quite a sharp turn from how she was previously portrayed. Despite this backlash, viewers have to admit that the epic battle was well-crafted, with Spielberg’s powerful artistry screaming throughout.
Inspiration from Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan
In a talk, Shakman admitted that the creation of the famous Game of Thrones battle scene drew heavily from Spielberg’s iconic film, Saving Private Ryan. Shakman saw similarities between the situations faced by Tom Hanks’ character in Spielberg’s film and Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones. He also shared how the emotional depth in Spielberg’s works aided his vision.
Game of Thrones Remains a Fan Favorite
Despite some complaints and controversies, Game of Thrones continues to hold its place in TV history because of its engrossing storyline and relatable characters. All eyes are now on Shakman, with fans awaiting his first Marvel directorial venture – The Fantastic Four. Sure enough, Spielberg’s influence will be seen in this venture too.
Spielberg, Hanks, and the Success of Band of Brothers
Nobody can deny that Spielberg’s talent for making large scale films is second to none. His skill and vision were yet again clearly visible in Band of Brothers, a series he co-produced with Tom Hanks based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s book. The series set new high records for production costs.
They went bigger with The Pacific
Moving forward with their successful partnership, Spielberg and Hanks took things up a notch with the 2010 series, The Pacific. True, it didn’t seem as flashy on paper, but Spielberg and his team built an entire jungle set from scratch. Also impressive was how environmentally responsible they were, planning filming to lower the impact on nature.
In both the film and television industry, Spielberg serves as a guiding light who continually sets new benchmarks. Directors like Shakman find inspiration in Spielberg’s works, pushing boundaries in their own right. Spielberg’s influence stretches far and wide across Hollywood, impacting movies beyond his own. Without a doubt, we’ll continue to see Spielberg’s imprint in the works of directors like Shakman in the future.