Key Takeaways:
– Matt Shakman was inspired by Steven Spielberg for a pivotal Game of Thrones scene.
– The scene, from the penultimate episode, featured an intense war sequence.
– Shakman compared it to the opening beach battle in Saving Private Ryan.
– Steven Spielberg also teamed with Tom Hanks for the big-budget series Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
– Despite intense criticism, Game of Thrones remains a highly popular series, due in part to Shakman’s directing.
Spielberg’s Impact on Shakman’s Work
Matt Shakman, the director credited with some of the most notable episodes in Game of Thrones, holds fast to his respect and admiration for famed director Steven Spielberg. Most importantly, Shakman took a leaf from Spielberg’s book when creating scenes for the fantasy epic Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones Penultimate Episode Turns Heads
Closing in on the end of Game of Thrones in 2019, Shakman was put in charge of directing the second-last episode that had fans hooked to their screens. This episode featured a tragic battle where Emilia Clarke‘s Daenerys Targaryen, in an act of monstrous violence, decimated King’s Landing with searing dragon fire. The shocking sequence bore the unmistakable signs of Steven Spielberg’s influence, according to Shakman.
Facing Backlash For Narrative Choices
Unfortunately for Shakman, the major twist of Daenerys turning ruthless was construed as straying too far from her character’s earlier portrayal, thereby inviting backlash from fans. Despite the narrative chaos, it’s important to note how perfectly the battle was orchestrated, thanks mainly to Spielberg’s influence.
Saving Private Ryan as a Source of Inspiration
Shakman candidly admitted during an interview that the conception of the Game of Thrones battle scene was greatly inspired by a similar one in Spielberg’s lauded film, Saving Private Ryan. Drawing parallels between the situations faced by Tom Hanks’ character in Saving Private Ryan and Jamie Lannister in the Game of Thrones aftermath, he expressed his vision of how Spielberg’s work could amplify the emotional depth in his direction.
Continued Popularity of Game of Thrones
Still, despite the criticisms, Game of Thrones maintains its powerhouse role in television history, largely due to its compelling narrative and carefully crafted characters. Fans now eagerly await Shakman’s directorial debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four, where Spielberg’s influence will, no doubt, again come to fore.
Spielberg and Hanks Team Up for Band of Brothers
Steven Spielberg’s command over large scale film-making is unparalleled, a fact well acknowledged by his peers. In collaboration with Tom Hanks, Spielberg co-produced Band of Brothers, a series that further showcased Spielberg’s skill and vision. Based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s book, it proved a notable outing for Spielberg, breaking records for its production cost.
The Pacific: An Ambitious Adventure
Pursuing their successful collaboration, Spielberg and Hanks blew past their record with 2010’s series The Pacific. While the logistical details may have seemed less extravagant, Spielberg reiterated the necessity of constructing an entire jungle set from scratch. Keeping in line with their commitment to environmental preservation, filming was strategically planned so as to minimise impact on the environment.
In the television and film industry, Spielberg is a beacon of inspiration who pushes the envelope persistently, inspiring other directors like Shakman to do the same. As one of the most influential personalities in Hollywood, Spielberg’s impact extends far beyond his own filmography.
