Belfast studio behind Game of Thrones bans drone activity

For those who weren’t already aware of this, Game of Thrones is a very popular television program. Entertainment Weekly recently did a massive cover story on its production, its stars get recognized outside of costume all around the world, and it’s the most-watched show in the history of HBO. It stand to reason, then, that certain enthusiastic fans may want to get a closer look at the production by any means necessary, including by deploying flying, remotely-controlled drones that have cameras attached to them. Showrunners in Belfast, Northern Ireland spotted a few such drones in the skies, and decided to ban them from the airspace above where the show is filmed.

Select Management and Security Limited, the firm that handles security for HBO on Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland, erected a series of signs warning novice drone pilots against invading Westerosi airspace. The fine print on the signs informs pilots that, “All drone use over this site must be fully in compliance with the Air Navigation Order,” and also that, “It is impossible to fly over this site in compliance with the Air Navigation Order due to the specific safety requirements of the site.” Helpful information or a frustrating Catch 22? You decide.

The signs also warn that police are involved in keeping the skies in the area clear of drones. This could mean that police are under orders to shoot down any drones they see, which will hopefully result in a craft crashing into the background of a shot which later will become part of the most memorable Game of Thrones blooper reel ever. It probably just means that anyone seen piloting a drone will be sued for trespass, though.

H/T NY Daily News

• Published on 03/24/2015 at 2:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 1:05 PM CDT