
The opening credits of the TV show What We Do in the Shadows feature a series of portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume, which are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them. These paintings are set to the song You're Dead by Norma Tanega. The show also features other artistic references and interpretations of famous paintings, such as Gérôme's Truth Coming Out of Her Well, which is reimagined with the character Nadja at its centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show | What We Do in the Shadows |
| Intro Song | "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega |
| Intro Duration | 30 seconds |
| Intro Content | Portraits of the main characters in various historical costumes |
| Artist | John Likens |
| Art Style | Digital art, based on historical works |
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What You'll Learn
- The opening credits feature portraits of the main characters in historical costumes
- The portraits are good copies of historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed
- The paintings are set to the song You're Dead by Norma Tanega
- The Gérôme painting Truth Coming Out of Her Well is reinterpreted with Nadja at its centre
- Other art references include Bruegel's Dull Gret and a black-and-white wedding photo

The opening credits feature portraits of the main characters in historical costumes
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows feature portraits of the main characters in various historical costumes. The credits are set to the song "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega. The portraits are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them. These portraits are digital artworks by John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios.
The opening credits show the various characters over the centuries, quickly cycling through portraits of the main characters in different styles of historical costumes. This world-building grants What We Do in the Shadows a unique duality, balancing the lore of its world with sitcom antics.
The show also features a rendition of "Truth Coming Out of Her Well", which serves to emphasize Nadja's Season 5 narrative. While the painting constitutes ancient history for the audience, for the characters, it represents a chapter of their undying existence. Nadja is depicted as the famous feminine force that once lurked at the bottom of a well as part of a string of exiles that created distance between her and her Antipaxon culture.
The appearance of familiar works of art as visual aids throughout the show reinforces the subtle foothold the supernatural has always held over human reality.
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The portraits are good copies of historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows showcase the various characters over the centuries, featuring brief portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume. These portraits are excellent copies of historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed on them. The creative team at Method Studios, including John Likens, is responsible for these impressive masterpieces.
The attention to detail and accuracy in replicating historical paintings while seamlessly integrating the actors' faces showcases the talent and effort that went into crafting these visuals. This unique approach to introducing the characters adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the show, captivating viewers with its blend of art and storytelling.
One notable example of the show's artistic interpretations is the rendition of "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" by Gérôme. In the show, this painting takes on a new narrative, with Nadja as the central figure, reflecting her character arc in Season 5. This specific artistic rendering, created by Instagram user Scadarts, adds a supernatural twist to a familiar work of art, enhancing the world-building and duality of the show's premise.
The use of historic art as visual aids reinforces the idea that the supernatural has always coexisted with human reality within the show's universe. This interplay between the familiar and the supernatural extends beyond the narrative and into the opening credits, where the portraits blend historical accuracy with the familiar faces of the show's characters.
The dedication to artistic excellence in What We Do in the Shadows extends beyond the opening credits, with the original movie also incorporating real-life art references. For instance, a black-and-white photo of Catherine's wedding in the movie is actually a real-life photo of the film editor, Peter Eagles, and his girlfriend. This attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile enhances the overall viewing experience, engaging both art and entertainment enthusiasts alike.
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The paintings are set to the song You're Dead by Norma Tanega
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows feature a series of paintings that depict the main characters in various styles of historical costume. These paintings are set to the song "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega, an American folk and pop singer-songwriter, painter, and experimental musician. The song, written by Tanega, was originally a sarcastic statement about her struggles in the competitive New York music scene. The lyrics take on a new meaning in the context of the show, as they can be interpreted as reflecting the struggles of the vampires in the show, who must hide their identities and are restricted in their daily lives.
The paintings featured in the opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows are not only visually intriguing but also serve as a creative way to showcase the rich histories and personal backstories of the characters. The paintings are carefully selected or created to resemble historical works of art, with the faces of the actors superimposed on them. This blend of art and storytelling adds a unique layer of world-building to the show, as it implies that the supernatural has always existed alongside the human reality.
One notable example of the show's use of art is its interpretation of "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" by Gérôme. In the show, this painting is used to represent Nadja's character arc in Season 5, as she seeks to reconnect with her culture and find meaning in her afterlife. The specific rendering of Nadja at the epicenter of the painting was created by Instagram user Scadarts, who is known for their reimagined oil paintings.
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows, with its combination of "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega and the creative use of historical paintings, set the tone for the show's unique blend of comedy, supernatural elements, and rich character backstories. The song and the paintings work together to create a memorable and intriguing introduction to the world of the show.
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The Gérôme painting Truth Coming Out of Her Well is reinterpreted with Nadja at its centre
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows showcase the main characters in historical costumes, with their faces superimposed on good copies of historical paintings. One such painting is Jean-Léon Gérôme's "Truth Coming Out of Her Well", which is reinterpreted with Nadja at its centre. This artistic rendering was created by Instagram user Scadarts, who is known for reimagining Star Wars characters as epic oil paintings.
The original Gérôme painting captures Truth as a naked woman emerging from a well to shame mankind. This painting has been interpreted in various ways, from broad philosophy to specific commentary on contemporary events such as the Dreyfus Affair or Impressionism. However, What We Do in the Shadows offers a new explanation that ties into the show's motif of historic art and Nadja's Season 5 character arc.
In the show, the painting first appears in ""Local News"" when the Staten Island vampires prepare to flee after Nandor's blunder. Nadja is forced out of her home, reflecting a string of exiles that have distanced her from her Antipaxon culture. The painting serves to emphasise Nadja's Season 5 narrative, as she seeks to imbue her afterlife with meaning and reconnect with her cultural roots.
The use of this painting in What We Do in the Shadows adds a unique duality to the show, blending the lore of its supernatural world with sitcom antics. While the painting represents ancient history for the audience, it is a part of the characters' undying existence. This clever integration of art history and narrative development showcases the attention to detail and creativity of the show's creators.
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Other art references include Bruegel's Dull Gret and a black-and-white wedding photo
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows showcase a range of artistic references, including the painting "Dull Gret" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, also known as "Mad Meg." Created in the 1560s, the painting depicts a central female figure, Griet, advancing towards the mouth of Hell, while her followers loot a house in the background. Griet is dressed in male armour, carrying a sword, and is accompanied by grotesque companions. The painting has been interpreted as a critique of covetousness and aggressive women.
The reference to "Dull Gret" in the show's intro painting is intriguing, as it captures the essence of the painting's subject matter. "Dull Gret" has been associated with madness and folly, and the portrayal of Griet advancing towards Hell aligns with the rebellious and fearless nature of the vampires in the show.
Additionally, the intro painting also includes a black-and-white wedding photo as one of its artistic references. While the specific inspiration for this reference remains unclear, black-and-white wedding photography has a long history in art and popular culture. These photographs often capture intimate and emotional moments between the bride and groom, showcasing their love and commitment. The use of black-and-white adds a timeless quality to the images, evoking a sense of nostalgia and romance.
The inclusion of the black-and-white wedding photo in the intro painting of What We Do in the Shadows may suggest a similar sentiment. It could represent the characters' desire for love, intimacy, or a connection beyond their vampiric existence. Alternatively, it could be a playful juxtaposition, contrasting the traditional symbolism of a wedding with the unconventional lives of the vampires.
Overall, the artistic references in the intro painting of What We Do in the Shadows, including Bruegels "Dull Gret" and the black-and-white wedding photo, enhance the show's appeal to art enthusiasts and provide a rich visual experience that complements the unique world-building and humour of the series.
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Frequently asked questions
The song is "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega.
The intro features portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume, which are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them.
The artwork was done by John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios.
Yes, one notable painting is a reinterpretation of Gérôme's "Truth Coming Out of Her Well", which features Nadja at the centre. This painting appears in Season 5, Episode 1 ("Local News") and serves to emphasise Nadja's character arc for the season.











































