Let’s all be honest with ourselves. No matter how much we may deny it, or pretend we don’t stare when they are on screen, there is one major reason we keep watching Game of Thrones. Despite all the death, destruction, and betrayal, we watch it, in large part, for the dragons. In preparation for the fourth season’s DVD and Blu-Ray release, the Germany-based visual effects company PIXOMONDO has released a video detailing all the work that’s put into bringing the dragons to life.

What start as green, stuffed “heads” on sticks must go through a vastly complicated series of of steps before they become the fearsome threesome of Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion. In order to create an authentic and unique style of motion for the dragons, the artists at PIXOMONDO had to build the 3D models like real animals. Skeleton, muscular system, and skin were all crafted to give a uniquely realistic look to how their bodies are built and function. The models are so meticulously detailed the artists have to tweak the curling of tongues and squinting of eyes from frame to frame. After these models are finally built to perfection, the visual artists must integrate the models into the environment. Coloring, shading, texture, and lighting all play crucial parts in creating a realistic creature through computer animation. Check out the video below to see all of these steps in practice in several scenes from Season 4, and all of the other incredible work PIXOMONDO puts into bringing fantasy to reality.

Make sure to leave a comment below and let us know if you would also totally buy that 3D Drogon model as a statue.