Reports from GRRM signing

Keeping the reports about the GRRM signing in this post and moving the shooting info into a new post.

UPDATE: According to Rimshot, Richard Madden is at GRRM’s book signing. Which means they must be shooting a scene that Robb doesn’t appear in. Which rules out the execution, direwolf finding, or King’s arrival. Maybe they are filming the brothel scene on location somewhere?

UPDATE: Rimshot with his post-signing report over at the Westeros forums. Meeting the author before even reading his book!

UPDATE: Adam Whitehead checks in after the signing with a great report. Sounds like a lot of fun, wish I could have been there!

Very, very awesome.

A queue started forming about an hour before the signing was due to begin. Then we started recognising people lurking at the back of the bookstore: we spotted Ron Donachie and Sophie Turner hanging out. Then George and Parris arrived and introduced everyone who had come along: Ron, Sophie, Maisie Williams, Richard Madden (“The Best-Dressed Man in Scotland”), Kit Harington and Alfie Allen!

After George signed the books, the cast agreed to sign them as well, leaving my copy of GAME OF THRONES emblazoned with many signatures. Many, many pictures were taken by myself and Silverstar (hers turned out a bit blurry, obviously a technical hitch). Seriously, dozens of photos were taken and will appear at some point (the Linen House computers don’t have accessible USB or XD card connections, unfortunately). We got a fantastic group photo of George and everyone else who was there.

Ron Donarchie reported he was doing some horse-riding this afternoon, whilst Kit was clearly exhausted after three 17-hour days. Everyone was astonishingly friendly and approachable. Ron reported that he had devoured all four books already and was bugging George about the fifth one! Kit has reached AFFC and Alfie is in the second half of GoT and coming up on CLASH, and noted it’s a good thing he’s good with boats. Richard Madden was a very funny guy and bearing the brunt of much humour for being “The Best-Dressed Man in Scotland”.

Funniest person of the day was Maisie Williams, who (amusingly) reprimanded Alfie for disappearing and holding up the signing queue at one point (for about twenty seconds), leaving him contrite in the face of some very Arya-esque withering scorn. All the cast seemed to be getting on excellently, taking the mick out of one another, happy to pose for photos and more.

A lady from HBO was there and seemed delighted with all the excitement over the books. She said they’d had a big talk with George to see how happy he was with filming so far, and he said he thought everything was going great. HBO seems to be running a lot of things past George to ensure the series remains true to the books and his vision, and HBO are very respectful of that.

We also heard that Lena Headey is doing great work as Cersei and her performance was nailing the character from the books superbly.

That’s about it. We’re back at the hostel to freshen up before heading to the pub. The meet-up begins at about 6 and Ron and Richard said they’d try to make it. Kit was clearly insanely tired, so he might not be along. We’ll see who else makes it.

Everyone was brilliant. George and Matt Hughes (a fellow SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH author) was sitting behind a huge desk, but everyone else was milling with fans in the corner, happy to chat, have photographs taken and chill out with people. They seemed genuinely touched and impressed by the dedication of the fans present.

Awesome stuff. Photos to follow :-)

UPDATE: Rimshot provided another, more detailed report, in the comments.

Hi

Just back from the signing. Sirry for not posting more from the queue but, would you believe it, while I was waiting I started reading GOT and, the next thing I knew, it was my turn! I’m already hooked!!

As Adam said, there were loads of cast more than willing to have their photos taken. I didn’t get any photos unfortunately because I had to get back to work.

When I got to meet George I told him I was ‘Rimshot’ and he called over Parris to meet me. I then had a very interesting chat with Parris all about the production and the future of the series. She is very optimistic about the show and very happy to be here filming it. She is heading home soon but George is heading on to Morocco.

Parris, it was great chatting with you and I look forward to chatting more tonight, although I get the feeling people will be queueing up to chat to you and George!

The signature on my book reads

‘To ********. All good wishes. Thanks for McHughs. (signature)’

Can’t wait for tonight now.

BTW – While I was standing in the queue, a guy came up to me and said ‘excuse me, do you know where George said to meet up later?’

Before I could open my mouth, a girl in front of me said ‘McHughs’.

I had a wee laugh at that one! Could be a big crowd tonight!!

UPDATE: Photo from Rimshot of the signing. You can make out Alfie Allen, Richard Madden (in scarf) and Kit Harington (glasses) in the background!

UPDATE: Another report, this one from Silverstar.

Hey guys,

Having awesome time here! Dozens of photos – mostly blurry, but I have some lovely ones too. Me and Richard, Kit, Alfie and Ron, then another one with the girls, who are really sweet.

I told Maisie and Sophie that we were all rooting for them, and they made a comment about how it was a bit scary that there were ‘thousands of fans on the internet!” I was like “Um … yeah, that’s us …” shamefacedly.

All the cast are lovely, Richard and Ron especially both chatted with us happily for ages.

Will write up a proper report and post pics tomorrow when I get home!

Off to the pub in a sec.

UPDATE: This report comes from nedkarstark of the Westeros forums.

We had a great time at the signing and all the cast were so very friendly and obliging. They all said they were keeping their fingers crossed for hte series to be greenlit. All said that they were having a fantastic time and enjoying the various shoots. Richard said that it was great having George about for the filming. Alfie told me that the costumes are top notch. He also said “wait til you see the weapons”. He also enjoyed the scenes with the horses. Awesome.

UPDATE: Ran has update the Westeros Game of Thrones site with a great summation of all the reports and some truly amazing photos sent to him by Parris. Below is a shot of GRRM with the cast in attendance. (NOTE: Photograph © Parris.)

UPDATE: A couple more photos taken by Parris from the signing can be found here.

UPDATE: Wert posts his photos from the signing over at the Westeros forums.

• Published on 11/03/2009 at 5:05 AM CDT
• Last updated on 11/03/2009 at 5:05 AM CDT