If you're searching for a comedy series that blends horror elements with mockumentary style, FX's "What We Do in the Shadows" is a must-watch. Created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this TV series follows the mundane lives of four vampires - Laszlo, Nadja, Nandor, and Colin Robinson - and their human familiar, Guillermo, in Staten Island. The show presents an absurd take on the challenges vampires might face in the 21st century, delivering dark humor reminiscent of "The Office" but with a supernatural twist. As the series approaches its sixth and final season, let's delve into some fascinating aspects that make "What We Do in the Shadows" a unique and award-winning show.
From Short Film to TV Franchise
"What We Do in the Shadows" has evolved from a short film into a successful franchise. The FX series is a spin-off of Waititi and Clement's 2014 film, which itself was an expansion of their 2005 short film, "What We Do in The Shadows: Interviews With Some Vampires," featuring the same core cast. Furthermore, the FX series isn't the only small-screen spin-off; "Wellington Paranormal," a series about New Zealand police dealing with supernatural creatures, premiered in 2018 and is also part of the "What We Do in the Shadows" universe.
Practical Effects Over CGI
The show's creators prioritize practical effects to maintain authenticity while depicting supernatural transformations. Writer/executive producer Paul Simms mentioned Francis Ford Coppola’s "Bram Stoker’s Dracula" as an inspiration, where in-camera effects were favored. This approach ensures that the series remains grounded despite its fantastical elements, with no character being entirely CGI-generated.
Larry David as a Writing Inspiration
Jemaine Clement draws inspiration from Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" when writing for the show. He notes that the three main vampires are set in their ways and hesitant to engage with the modern world, similar to the awkwardness and self-seriousness found in "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Taika Waititi's Shaving Dislike
Taika Waititi's aversion to shaving contributed to his decision to only guest star in the series. He disliked the daily shaving required for his character, Viago, in the 2014 movie. This aversion, combined with the challenge of finding a creative reason for the original group of vampires to relocate to America, led to Waititi's limited involvement in the TV series.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Matt Berry's Fear of Heights
Matt Berry, who plays Laszlo, has a fear of heights, which poses a challenge when filming scenes that require wirework. He has to act natural while being lifted high into the air, despite his discomfort.
Kayvan Novak's Mimicry
In the third season, Kayvan Novak's character, Nandor, uses the Cloak of Duplication to transform into other characters. Novak dedicated time to mimicking his castmates, particularly Matt Berry, to convincingly portray them.
Vampire Rules
The series adheres to the vampire rules established in "The Lost Boys," Joel Schumacher’s iconic ’80s vampire flick, with some elements from the 1930s.
Comedy Through Stupidity
The show's comedy stems from placing characters in absurd situations and highlighting their reactions. Producer Yana Gorskaya describes the show's magic as "being incredibly stupid in a smart way."
The Power of Silence
The show's comedy relies on improvisation and moments of silence. Natasia Demetriou emphasizes the importance of silence and the balance between cast members in creating humor.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Goofiness Over Depth
Producer Paul Simms joined the show because it was simply goofy and didn't try to make a deeper point. This appealed to him in an era of sad-coms and socially-conscious comedies.
Vampire Hours
The cast and crew often work "vampire hours" due to the show's focus on nocturnal characters. The extensive improvisation requires a lot of footage, making the process exhausting.
Colin Robinson: The Energy Vampire
Colin Robinson, played by Mark Proksch, is an "energy vampire" who feeds on sucking the life out of a room. This character, inspired by Clement's encounters with draining individuals, allows for daylight scenes in the show.
Proksch's Improvisation
Mark Proksch improvises much of Colin Robinson’s dialogue, adding to the character's unique and boring charm.
Cameo-Packed Episodes
The episode "The Trial" features an impressive lineup of actors who have played iconic vampires, including Tilda Swinton, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Trejo, and Paul Reubens. Wesley Snipes also makes an appearance as his Daywalker character from the Blade movies.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Cate Blanchett's Rejected Cameo
Cate Blanchett expressed interest in making a cameo, but Waititi and Clement declined because she hadn't played a vampire before.
Mark Hamill's Souvenir
Mark Hamill, who guest-starred as Jim the Vampire, took his custom-made fangs home as a memento.
Werewolf Nod
Arj Barker’s jacket in the "Werewolf Feud" episode is a nod to "An American Werewolf in London."
Real Housewives Inspiration
The creators joked about expanding the show like "The Real Housewives," envisioning different vampire houses worldwide.
Homemade Buñuelos
Harvey Guillén made homemade buñuelos for a scene featuring Guillermo’s mom to ensure the heritage was accurately represented.
Humanizing Vampires
The show's comedy and depth come from portraying vampires as individuals who were once human and are now grappling with boredom and the complexities of their existence.
Jamie Demetriou's Perspective on Comedy and Life
Jamie Demetriou, Natasia's brother, is known for his role in "Stath Lets Flats" and his Netflix special, "A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou." He describes his comedy as willingly grotesque, with characters who are often dim-witted and incoherent. Demetriou's work is influenced by his personal experiences, including his father's dementia and his unconventional upbringing.
Demetriou views his characters as the opposite of himself, portraying them as blissfully ignorant of the chaos they create. He emphasizes the importance of physical comedy and slapstick in his performances, using it to enhance moments that might not be working otherwise.
Natasia Demetriou's Comedy of Nerves
Natasia Demetriou, known for her role as Nadja in "What We Do in the Shadows," explores the comedy of nerves in her solo show, "You’ll Never Have All of Me." She embodies characters who are honest and panicky, creating humor from their discomfort.
Demetriou admits to experiencing real nervousness before her performances, using humor as a coping mechanism. Her characters often draw inspiration from her personal life, including her Greek cousins and her experiences with online dating.
Series Finale and Reflections
As "What We Do in the Shadows" concludes with its sixth season, the cast and creators reflect on the show's success and the unique elements that made it stand out. They express surprise at the TV Academy's embrace of the series and emphasize the importance of committing to the stupidity of their characters.
The cast also shares memorable moments from filming, including Kayvan Novak's impersonations and the challenges of working with animal actors. They highlight the show's ability to transcend normal rules of engagement and create lovable characters out of bloodsucking vampires.
The series finale features multiple endings, including a reference to "Newhart," and evokes emotional responses from the cast. They express gratitude to the fans and FX for their support throughout the years.
Behind the Scenes
Earlier this month, New York Comic Con hosted a "What We Do in the Shadows" panel featuring cast members and showrunners. They discussed various aspects of the show, including Nandor's hair transformation, the inspiration for the wellness center, and the use of practical effects.
The panel also touched on the challenges of filming during the pandemic and the creative process behind specific episodes. They shared anecdotes about working with guest stars and the unique dynamics between the characters.
Season 4 Insights
In Season 4, Laszlo is tasked with raising the reborn Colin Robinson, while Nadja pursues her dream of owning a vampiric nightclub. The actors discuss their characters' journeys and the challenges they face.
They also share humorous anecdotes from filming, including the weirdest scenes and the use of fake blood. The actors emphasize the importance of their characters' selfishness in driving the show's storylines.