Extract Practice: Game of Thrones

Extract Practice: Game of Thrones

The franchise, “Game of Thrones”, is a popular HBO television show that was inspired by historic events of Medieval England. By using fantasy elements, the franchise explores a multitude of different themes such as power, love, and sacrifice that will be tested in its ongoing wars and struggle for power in the Seven Kingdoms. In this particular extract, the director of “Game of Thrones” portrays the following theme: people would fight for their beliefs even if there are dire risks involved.

The extract opens the first scene with an aerial shot of a ship with red flags sailing on the ocean. The aerial shot of the ship might create an idea the people on the boat are less weak because it appears a “greater” being is more dominate. Not only it demonstrates the lack of power the people on the boat have, the aerial shot of the ship’s red sails help show the type of characteristics the people on the boat are. Since the color read symbolizes determination and power, the aerial shot of the ship’s sails may develop the pursuit of power.  Following this, there is a two-shot of the main characters, Stannis and Davos, standing on their ship. This may demonstrate and foreshadow their close relationship and how these two characters are determined to reach their goal. In the two-shot, there is a zoom-in of the main characters emotions. This emphasize their seriousness tone and determination for power as they enter the harbor. Also, there is a zoom-in of the costumes. This zoom-in may illustrate and further develops the type of characters the men would be portrayed. For instance, the blue-gray color of Stannis’ suit may reveal Stannis is honest, wise, fair, and loyal because blue symbolizes these traits. Stannis’ suit may imply many people are loyal to him because of his honesty and fairness. The style of Stannis’ suit may suggest Stannis is a king while Davos’ layers of black. This might suggest he is a loyal advisor who has a past since the color black symbolize a villain or the “bad” in a character.   As Stannis and Davos enter the harbor, the incidental sound has significant amount of effects on the audience. The incidental sound may emphasize the importance of the decision of the Iron Bank. It might also demonstrate the nervousness of the characters as they enter a dangerous or enemy territory of the Easteros. The first scene ends when there is a zoom-out of the character on the boat. This zoom-out may demonstrate the great opportunity offered at the Iron Bank and might demonstrates the contrasts of wealth and class between Stannis, Davos and the Iron Kingdom.

The seconds scene begins with another two-shot of Stannis and Davos waiting for the bankers at the Iron Bank. Upon arrival, three men joined. The costume of the three bankers illustrate the contrast between the two kingdoms: Easteros and Westeros. While Stannis is wearing a blue suit and Davos is wearing layers, the bankers are wearing brown jacket of a more expensive material. This may illustrate the difference in wealth and power between the Iron Bank and Stannis.  The dialogue spoken by Stannis, Davos, and the lead Bankers help show the cultural contrasts of the kingdoms. Stannis has a different dialect from the Bankers whose resident is in the East. The difference of dialects demonstrates the regionalism that deprives Stannis from his rightful claim on the Iron Throne. This and the costume develop the theme of fighting for beliefs because it demonstrates how differences in cultures can act as an obstacle for Stannis’ pursuit for power. Throughout this scene, there is a significant amount of shot-reverse-shot of the conversation between the Bankers, Stannis and Davos. This help convey and reveal the doubt, or the untrustworthiness of Stannis, given his status and distant relationship with the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. An example is where the Banker asked Stannis about his military resources. The lead Banker decline his request for money because he had “zero bags of wheat, barley and pork to feed 4,000 soldiers, 32 ships”, despite the fact all Stannis’ soldiers remain loyal to him. This further prevents Stannis ‘from reclaiming his throne.  As the scene comes to end, there is a low angle of Davos speaking and defending Stannis’ credibility and honor. This low angle demonstrates the passionate and respect Davos commands when he is defending Stannis’ leadership despite the lack of resources to maintain an army. As Davos defends Stannis’, there is a cutaway of Davos’ hand. The cutaway of Davos’ hand help emphasizes the reliability and good leadership of Stannis. When Davos removes his gloves, it reveals Davos only has a thumb. The cutaway of his lack of fingers reinforces Davos’ defense that Stannis is an “honest man” and the Iron Banker should side with them. The scene closes when Davos’ ask the Bankers who they will be loyal to. As this conversation is discussed, there is lighter lighting of Stannis and Davos portrays the men as good or the “hope” that would end the conflict of true claim ship over the Iron Throne between Stannis and Lannister, “a bastard born from incest.”

      In summary, it is apparent that the theme is about someone fighting for their beliefs. In this case, the theme was portrayed by Stannis and Davos fighting for their beliefs that Stannis should be ruler on the Iron Throne. While this was the most apparent theme, Game of Thrones demonstrates the complication of how wealth and cultural aspects can be used as obstacle on someone getting what they desired: power.