Part of movie magic is the creation of places that aren’t real. But for every magical castle and bustling fantasy city, there had to be a real-world location where the actors did their work. Many movie fans have started hunting down those locations and re-capturing the magic with a hobby called sceneframing.
What is sceneframing?
Sceneframing is the trendy practice of taking pictures where your favorite movie crew once stood. In order to sceneframe, you need a tablet displaying the scene in question. Hold up the tablet until you’ve perfectly aligned the scene with the location; then, snap a picture to prove that you were there.
Great sceneframing requires knowledge of the show and an eye for cinematography. Many sceneframes only work if you can find the exact angle that the camera crew used. This hobby brings you closer to your favorite movie universe – and it’s also a great way to show off your camera skills.
Sceneframing for Game of Thrones
Despite the controversy surrounding the final season, it’s hard to deny that Game of Thrones had some of the most compelling cinematography in modern television.
Tiia and Satu are two Finnish friends who absolutely adored Game of Thrones. These fangirls are talented photographers and the originators of the sceneframing trend. In their travels, they’ve captured dozens of Game of Thrones scenes with amazing accuracy.
During a trip to Northern Ireland, Tiia and Satu revisited some of GoT’s most iconic scenes. It’s amazing to realize that even though the show uses CGI, most of those breathtaking shots are just images of Ireland’s beautiful countryside.
Fair Head, Northern Ireland
Fair Head is one of the highest points in Northern Ireland. This grassy peak was the first place where John Snow met Drogon. It’s also the place where John and Tyrion were filmed brooding and discussing options for the upcoming war against the Army of the Dead. Fans will instantly recognize the rolling clouds and the endless expanse of ocean down below.
Ballintoy Harbour, Northern Ireland
Ballintoy Harbour is the real-world analog for the Iron Isles. These rocky coasts played home to some of the most gripping scenes with Theon, Yara, and the villain Uron. Going for a swim in the icy waters probably won’t qualify you to hold the Salt Throne, but you’ll definitely be in awe of the beautiful skies and crashing waves.
Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
Believe it or not, many of the scenes in Doorne were filmed in Ireland. The dunes of Portstewart Strand were also the location where audiences first met the Sand Snakes. The sands shift a lot, so sceneframing here is more difficult, but it’s also that much more rewarding.
Carnlough Harbour, Nothern Ireland
The Free City of Bravos was largely constructed with CGI, but bits and pieces of it exist in the real world. In particular, the stone staircase that Arya crawled up during the thrilling canal scene is located in Carnlough Harbour. According to locals, Maisie Williams performed her own diving scenes in the freezing cold waters.
Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
The King’s Road is one of the most important locations in Game of Thrones. Nearly every character has ridden between these tall and ancient-looking trees. You can walk part of the road yourself at a place called Dark Hedges. The gorgeous beech trees were planted in the 1700s and remain one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions.
