A History of Dragons
A History of Dragons
As a leader in creature development and animation, Image Engine brought the mythical dragons of the highly-watched and beloved Game of Thrones series to life. Our expertise and contributions on seasons 5 & 6, led to our selection as the lead vendor for dragon development and animation in seasons 7 & 8.
The impact of our contribution to the expansive environments, walking dead, and ferocious creatures of the Game of Thrones universe is evident in the technical breakthroughs we’ve achieved, as seen through our breakdown reels, and the recognition and awards we’ve received. Join us as we explore the masterful artistry behind creating these awe-inspiring dragons.
The Evolution of a Partnership
Image Engine was brought on board as collaborators on season 5 of Game of Thrones. In the following seasons, as we proved and continuously advanced our capabilities, our scope of work increased both in size and complexity, culminating in our assignment as lead dragon vendor for seasons 7 & 8.
Technical Prowess
The dragons of Westeros evolved into their formidable size at Image Engine. Through the years we’ve learned much about these fantastical creatures including their anatomy, performance, and motivations. Our understanding of them has been baked into our pipeline and processes, informing artistry and production.
Dragon vs. Dragon
We perfected the dragon battle. For the final season’s air-to-air combat, we developed the sequence of tearing and clawing not as a series of individual animations, but rather one flowing “superanimation”. This is an innovation within our field, made possible by the creativity of our artists and robustness of our pipeline.
Dragon Breakdown Reels
Dragons In The Press
Our award-winning dragon development and animation VFX work on Game of Thrones has been featured in media worldwide. Discover what some of the news outlets have to say about our work.
Awards & Recognition
Recognized for excellence. Image Engine’s contribution to Game of Thrones has not gone unnoticed. From the very start, the company’s work has been awarded for its outstanding quality and scope, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the industry.
Annie Awards
2020
Nominee
Best Character Animation Live Action
HPA Awards
2019
Winner
Outstanding Visual Effects Episodic
Emmy Awards
2019
Winner
Outstanding Special Visual Effects
VES Awards
2018
Winner
Outstanding Animated Character in an Episode
VES Awards
2017
Nominee
Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode
Get In Touch
If you’d like to learn more about our dragon design and animation methodologies or our robust creature pipeline, contact us.