Game of Thrones: The Vertical Shooting Proposal from AT&T Executives

The television industry has seen its fair share of controversial decisions and proposals over the years. However, one particular proposal that surfaced during the production of Game of Thrones (GoT) stands out as a unique example of executive interference that could have significantly altered the viewing experience of one of the most popular shows in history.

In an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the showrunners of Game of Thrones, revealed that AT&T executives once requested that they shoot the series vertically to accommodate mobile phone viewers. This proposal, which was based on the assumption that viewers would prefer to watch GoT episodes on their phones in a vertical format, was met with skepticism and resistance from the showrunners.

The idea of shooting a television series in a vertical format was not a new one. In fact, Quibi, a short-form mobile streaming service that launched in 2020, had already attempted to popularize this format with its content. However, the success of Quibi was short-lived, and the service was discontinued less than a year after its launch.

Despite the failure of Quibi, AT&T executives believed that GoT, with its massive fanbase and global reach, could be the catalyst for the vertical video format’s success. They argued that by shooting the series vertically, they could cater to the growing number of mobile phone users and increase viewership.

However, Benioff and Weiss were not convinced. They believed that the vertical format would not only be impractical for the production of GoT but also detrimental to the viewing experience. They argued that the vertical format would limit the scope of the visual storytelling and compromise the cinematic quality of the show.

Moreover, the showrunners were concerned about the potential impact of the vertical format on the narrative pacing and character development. They believed that the vertical format would force them to condense the storylines and compromise the depth and complexity of the characters.

Despite their reservations, the AT&T executives continued to push for the vertical shooting proposal. They even suggested creating “snackable” mini-episodes for GoT to further accommodate mobile phone viewers. However, Benioff and Weiss remained steadfast in their opposition to the proposal.

The showrunners’ stance on the vertical shooting proposal was not only based on their creative vision for GoT but also on their belief in the importance of maintaining the integrity of the show. They argued that the show’s success was built on its ability to captivate audiences with its intricate storytelling, rich characters, and cinematic visuals.

In the end, the AT&T executives’ proposal to shoot GoT vertically was rejected. The show continued to be produced in the traditional horizontal format, and the series went on to become a cultural phenomenon, winning numerous awards and accolades.

The vertical shooting proposal for GoT serves as a reminder of the importance of creative freedom and the potential risks of executive interference in the television industry. It also highlights the importance of understanding the audience’s preferences and the limitations of different formats.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for content creators and executives to strike a balance between innovation and tradition, creativity and practicality, and viewer preferences and artistic vision. The vertical shooting proposal for GoT may have been a missed opportunity, but it serves as a valuable lesson for the industry.

In conclusion, the vertical shooting proposal for Game of Thrones was a controversial decision that could have significantly altered the viewing experience of one of the most popular shows in history. Despite the AT&T executives’ belief that the vertical format would increase viewership, the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, remained steadfast in their opposition to the proposal, citing practical and creative concerns. The proposal serves as a reminder of the importance of creative freedom and the potential risks of executive interference in the television industry. It also highlights the importance of understanding the audience’s preferences and the limitations of different formats. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for content creators and executives to strike a balance between innovation and tradition, creativity and practicality, and viewer preferences and artistic vision.