Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GOT fans go back to the Stark
Ulster pals make prequel of hit HBO show for Youtube
INSPIRED by their love for Game of Thrones, two school friends decided to pick up the camera and make their own prequel to the TV show.
Shane Gibson and Ciaran Mcilhatton, of independent film production group Wild Wolf Films, took up the passion project almost two years ago. The action takes place 15 years before the beginning of the Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire series. And last night, their short film, which is based around the events prior to Robert’s Rebellion, went online. The Wild Wolf follows Brandon Stark – Ned Stark’s older brother and heir to Winterfell – who has been betrothed to Catelyn Tully in an effort to unify the houses Stark and Tully. Shane, from Glengormley, and Ciaran, from North Belfast, said they hoped other Game of Thrones fans would enjoy the short film as much as they enjoyed making it. Shane, who stars as Brandon Stark in the film, as well as working as a producer, said: “We are big fans of Game of Thrones, the TV show and the books and have been involved behind the scenes and as extras. “We took the story of Brandon Stark, which is touched on in the TV show and books, and kind of filled in the blanks.” Ciaran, who produced and directed the film, said: “Shane came to me with the idea of a prequel and I think it was meant to be five minutes but we ended up writing a full script. “We ended up with a 15-minute short film which starts 15 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Brandon Stark is the brother of Ned Stark and he is referenced in the TV show and books. “There’s an interesting story with what happens with him alluded to and we picked up with that but we do not go as far as his death, that was part of a bigger script we had.” The pair, who are both 25 and went to St Malachy’s College in Belfast together, recruited volunteers from across Northern Ireland for the movie to showcase some of the local talent on offer. It was filmed at locations across the country over six months and involved up to 40 people at different points. The
We took the story of Brandon Stark and filled in the blanks SHANE GIBSON ONE OF THE MEN BEHIND THE FILM
pals hope the short film will open doors for everyone involved who has a passion for film and for Game of Thrones. Shane, who is a manager at a communicatons company said: “Hopefully it can show what we can do on a shoestring budget.” The hit HBO show is just about to begin its seventh season on TV this summer. It is filmed at a number of locations around Northern Ireland and has had a huge impact on tourism in the country. The 15-minute Wild Wolf was released on Youtube last night at 8pm.