Enniskillen man, Anthony Breen, on the set of the new series of Game Of Thrones
IT IS THE biggest television show in the world and one Fermanagh man is at the centre of the International phenomenon.
The fifth season of Game of Thrones, filmed in Northern Ireland, airs on Monday night and Enniskillen camera man Anthony Breen has had a front row seat for the past three years, working as a camera trainee on the set.
It has been excitement from day one for Anthony as his first experience was the filming of the now infamous ‘red wedding’.
“The experience of working on Game of Thrones has been fantastic. I’ve had high and lows from great days off set to rainy morning starts at 4am. But overall I feel the training I’ve had in this show has made me progress with the camera department and helped me achieve more then I thought I could. After doing Thrones I feel like I could do anything.”
Since it first aired in 2011 the show has grown to such an extent that the UK premiere for season five was held in the Tower of London and Anthony too, does not escape attention.
“I never really thought how big the show was at the time I started, but now I feel I can’t go anywhere without being asked about it or seeing advertisements, posters etc.
I was on holiday in Poland over the winter and the amount of people that wouldn’t believe me when I told them I worked on the show was very funny. I think it takes people by surprise when you tell them.”
The Queen’s University Film Studies graduate has rubbed shoulders with many of the Hollywood elite including; Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) , Kit Harrington (Jon Snow) and Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister).
“I see the actors all the time and work with them one to one. Mainly when I have to mark where they may stand would be when I make small talk with them. This year Lena Headey and I talked about the way we both make different spaghetti bolognese.”
The show has previously filmed part of a season four episode in Fermanagh at Pollnagollum Cave, Boho, but unfortunately this time the county missed out. There are hopes though that the show will return in the future. The local links do not stop there, with timber firm Balcas supplying pointed posts from the sawmill to the set.
So what can the people of Fermanagh expect from season five of Game of Thrones? While he can’t give away any spoilers, Anthony did say viewers can expect more action than ever before.
“This season is going to be just as good as the last few, maybe even better. I can’t really say much about it, but I feel there’s a lot more fighting and war scenes. The storyline will have its twists as always and will take people by surprise. Expect the unexpected would be the best way for me to sum up the season.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
