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As Game of Thrones fans recover from the 'The Long Night' at the Battle of Winterfell and prepare for the "the last war" - Bored Panda offers viewers some behind-the-scenes photos of how the icy magic is made. Intricate make-up, prosthetics, props, and green screens are all part of the grueling off-screen process that comes together for the epic cinematic sequences we have come to expect from this TV show.

Putting together each scene takes an army - especially the battles. The show's previous longest battle, "The Battle of the Bastards," reportedly required 600 crew members, 500 extras, 70 horses, and 65 stuntmen. Scroll down below to see your favorite Game of Thrones characters in between takes, and don't forget to upvote your favs!

#1

Together With Gwendoline Christie

Together With Gwendoline Christie

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Through glorious dialogue, editing, costume and set design - the production team transports viewers to the Game of Thrones realm seamlessly, but what happens when the cameras aren't rolling? What moments did the famous actors most enjoy shooting? How does it all come together?

The beauty of Game of Thrones is that despite the extensive use for CGI used to create the dragons or zombie polar bears, the team tries as hard as they can to create "realistic" elements. The White Walkers are not computer creations and were designed by the shows prosthetic designer Barrie Gower. If you look at the behind-the-scenes photos what you see off-screen is the same as onscreen. Gower said the White Walkers were originally inspired by The Walking Dead, but evolved into their own unique wintery design for the HBO series.

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There are some pretty massive actors among the Game of Thrones cast. For example Ian Whyte who played the wildling giant Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun is 7ft 1." However, he's not the only one, Hafthor Bjornsson who plays Gregor Clegane or the Mountain, was officially crowned the world's strongest man. He also won Europe's Strongest Man and the Strongman Classic (Arnold Scwarzenegger's competition), making him the first man to do so in the same year. Bjornsson stands at 6'9" and weighs 397 lbs - no editing magic needed here.

Working with CGI and green screens can be more difficult for the Game of Thrones actors than when they have to work with real animals or elements. This was evident when they had to create the zombie bear polar bear. Actor Rory McCann, who plays the Hound, referred to his fake acting partner as the “ping-pong-ball thing” and said he found it difficult to pretend as though it was in fact a real bear. Well, he had us fooled!

#5

I Mean, Jeeeze, One Pet Of A Dragon And He Thinks He's One Of Them

I Mean, Jeeeze, One Pet Of A Dragon And He Thinks He's One Of Them

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To survive all the tough elements and action and endless filming in Game of Thrones the actors get some help from their body doubles. Any scene where you don't see their face it is probably the acting of their double. Remember Season 1 where Jaime pushed Bran out the window? The producers experimented with how clothed they wanted him in the scene - so that meant a naked body double for the popular character was waiting patiently nearby.

While the talented prosthetic's team were able to create 'realistic' creepy White Walkers, building a dragon was left to the computer animators. Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys might portray a convincing bond with her giant dragon babies - but it's all acting. In real life Clarke is talking to, petting and riding what looks like a giant mechanical bull. Fans are used to give the illusion of her hair blowing in the wind but the rest of it is pure editing magic.

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#8

'Haha'

'Haha'

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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"We're all going to die! LOL!" Probably, I haven't seen the latest episode, so please don't say anything. Now if that last sentence isn't the biggest troll bait, I don't know what is!

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#9

Ser Brienne Of Tarth. A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

Ser Brienne Of Tarth. A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

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#11

Emilia Clarke's Selfie From Season 1

Emilia Clarke's Selfie From Season 1

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#13

Jamie Lannister And His Creepy Extra Arm Behind The Scenes

Jamie Lannister And His Creepy Extra Arm Behind The Scenes

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#14

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Celebrating His Birthday In Chains, Season 2

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Celebrating His Birthday In Chains, Season 2

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#15

David Benioff And Wun Wun The Giant

David Benioff And Wun Wun The Giant

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#17

Now This Is More Like It. Congratulations To My Brothers (Literally) From Other Mothers. I’m A Lucky Lucky Sista To These Mistas

Now This Is More Like It. Congratulations To My Brothers (Literally) From Other Mothers. I’m A Lucky Lucky Sista To These Mistas

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#18

Emilia Clarke With A Crew From Season 5

Emilia Clarke With A Crew From Season 5

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#21

My Good Friend In Belfast Prosthetic Make Up

My Good Friend In Belfast Prosthetic Make Up

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ptm45
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As bad a villain the Night King is the actor was even awesome! Being in prosthetic is not comfy.

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#22

King Tommen Falling Out Of The Window Behind The Scenes

King Tommen Falling Out Of The Window Behind The Scenes

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#25

It’s Happening. Flash Back Sunday Full Disclosure. I Love Septa. She’s Aces. Can’t Believe This Is It. May You Enjoy So Hard The Final Season Of The Show That Carried Us All For A Decade

It’s Happening. Flash Back Sunday Full Disclosure. I Love Septa. She’s Aces. Can’t Believe This Is It. May You Enjoy So Hard The Final Season Of The Show That Carried Us All For A Decade

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#27

Actors Charles Dance And Julian Glover Taking A Break During The Filming Of Season 4 In Dubrovnik

Actors Charles Dance And Julian Glover Taking A Break During The Filming Of Season 4 In Dubrovnik

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#28

Wait..... Did I Not Tell You Guys?! Um Yeah. Now If He'd Only Bend The Bloody Knee There'll Be No Problems

Wait..... Did I Not Tell You Guys?! Um Yeah. Now If He'd Only Bend The Bloody Knee There'll Be No Problems

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Oathbraker
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should have been the actual scene and reaction where he reveals his real name.

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#29

Peter Dinklage And Lena Headey

Peter Dinklage And Lena Headey

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#30

Between Takes Trying To Get The Water Out Of My Boots. I Still Got These Boots. My Precious Yara Boots

Between Takes Trying To Get The Water Out Of My Boots. I Still Got These Boots. My Precious Yara Boots

This is from a season 6 dash down the beach trying to look tough whilst running on sand with boots full of water. I will miss these times very much. Precious memories of a magical job.

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#32

In Honour Of The Final Season Of Thrones Premiering Tonight... Here’s A Picture Of Me Asleep On Set

In Honour Of The Final Season Of Thrones Premiering Tonight... Here’s A Picture Of Me Asleep On Set

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#34

Even Warriors Need A Yellow Umbrella Once In A While! (Even If The Snow Is Fake)

Even Warriors Need A Yellow Umbrella Once In A While! (Even If The Snow Is Fake)

This behind scene pic is from season 5. The well dressed gentleman is the eminent DOP (director of photography) Fabian Wagner. He did "Hardhome" and "Battle of the Bastards".

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#36

Battle Of The Bastards

Battle Of The Bastards

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#38

You Become A Bit Crazy After 4 Week On The Battlefield! Love Working With This Man - He Did Great Work As Smalljon Umber

You Become A Bit Crazy After 4 Week On The Battlefield! Love Working With This Man - He Did Great Work As Smalljon Umber

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#39

Here's Da Reel Roadmans Of Westeros

Here's Da Reel Roadmans Of Westeros

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#40

Oh My Pod! Spending The Last Five Seasons With The Absolutely Wonderfully Talented Daniel Podrick Portmanteau Has Been A Pod-Send

Oh My Pod! Spending The Last Five Seasons With The Absolutely Wonderfully Talented Daniel Podrick Portmanteau Has Been A Pod-Send

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#42

Happy Days

Happy Days

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#44

Me And My Baby Drogon Just Very Excited For You All To See

Me And My Baby Drogon Just Very Excited For You All To See

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#46

Start Long Night. Night King Without Make-Up

Start Long Night. Night King Without Make-Up

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#47

Assassination Of Balon Greyjoy

Assassination Of Balon Greyjoy

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#48

Behind The Scenes Of Season 7

Behind The Scenes Of Season 7

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#49

This Scene Was So Crazy Good Especially The Blood Curdling Scream From Ned Umber, Wight Edition

This Scene Was So Crazy Good Especially The Blood Curdling Scream From Ned Umber, Wight Edition

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#50

Sophie Turner Behind The Scenes Of Season 5

Sophie Turner Behind The Scenes Of Season 5

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