As easy as it is to get swept up in the drama of HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire,' it's even easier to overlook the immense amount of work that goes into recreating the 1920's world Nucky Thompson and his associates operate within. Plenty of real-world locations are utilized, but did you know that most of the effects work is spent in seamless establishing shots? While we wait for 'Boardwalk Empire' season 4, check out some of the impressive effects that go into each year of HBO's gangster drama!

For all the gritty character drama that permeates 'Boardwalk Empire,' especially in season 3's explosive finale "Margate Sands," the show would be nothing without some of the effects that help create the look of HBO's 1920's drama. Via Warming Glow, we've caught a look at an effects reel from Brainstorm Digital that breaks down the impressive VFX from the show's second season.

Not only is Richard Harrow (Jack Huston)'s gory visage created entirely through CGI, but many of the larger-scope locations are created from simple street scenes augmented with background visual FX. In some cases, the special effects crew have had to re-design the entire skyline of Manhattan!

We still don't have the clearest picture what 'Boardwalk Empire' season 4 will look like when it debuts on HBO this fall, but the video below more than helps to get us excited for the show's killer return. Check out the effects of 'Boardwalk Empire' season 2 below, and tell us some of your favorite moments from the series in the comments!

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