Marcus Chen
The American comedy horror mockumentary series *What We Do in the Shadows* has received critical acclaim for its cast and writing, receiving 35 Emmy Award nominations. The show is based on the 2014 New Zealand film written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who also act as executive producers for the series. The opening credits, set to the song You're Dead by Norma Tanega, feature portraits of the main characters in various historical costumes, which are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basis | The opening credits show the various characters over the centuries, with the faces of the actors superimposed on copies of historical paintings. |
| Song | "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega |
| Portraits | Nadja's portrait is based on Henri Regnault's 1870 painting, Salome. Laszlo's portrait is an original creation by the design team but is evocative of mid-1800s gentlemen's portraits. |
| Artist | John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios |
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What You'll Learn
- The opening credits feature portraits of the main characters in historical costume
- Many portraits are based on historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed
- Nadja's portrait is based on Salome, by Henri Regnault
- Laszlo's portrait is original but evokes gentlemen's portraits from the mid-1800s
- Other paintings referenced include works by Courbet, Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, and William Beechey
The opening credits feature portraits of the main characters in historical costume
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows feature portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume. The credits, set to the song "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega, quickly cycle through these portraits, which are actually very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them. For example, the portrait of Nadja (played by Natasia Demetriou) is based on Henri Regnault's 1870 painting, Salome, while Laszlo's portrait is an original creation by the design team, evocative of mid-1800s gentlemen's portraits. The artwork in the credits was created by John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios.
The attention to detail in the opening credits has been praised by viewers, with some commenting on the high quality of the portraits and their historical accuracy. The credits have also been praised for their creativity and for adding a layer of interest to the show. The What We Do in the Shadows franchise, which includes both a film and a television series, has received critical acclaim for its cast, writing, and fresh perspective on vampire lore. The show has received 35 Emmy Award nominations, including four for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The historical costumes and settings featured in the portraits of the main characters in the opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows add to the overall aesthetic and tone of the show. The costumes are not only visually appealing but also help to establish the characters' identities and the world they inhabit. The historical references and influences in the credits and throughout the show create a unique and engaging viewing experience, blending humour, horror, and art history.
The creative choices made in the opening credits, such as the use of historical costume portraits, set the tone for the show and introduce the audience to the world of What We Do in the Shadows. The credits are an important part of the show's success and have become a memorable aspect of the franchise, with fans discussing and analysing the references and influences that they feature. The combination of historical accuracy and creative liberty in the credits showcases the attention to detail and creativity of the show's creators.
Overall, the opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows, with their portraits of the main characters in historical costume, are a key part of the show's appeal and success. The credits not only introduce the characters but also establish the tone, aesthetic, and world-building of the show, blending art history with vampire lore in a unique and engaging way. The critical acclaim and fan following of What We Do in the Shadows attest to the effectiveness of these creative choices, making the show a standout in the horror-comedy genre.
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Many portraits are based on historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed
The opening credits of the American comedy horror mockumentary fantasy TV series *What We Do in the Shadows* showcase the various characters over the centuries, set to the song "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega. The brief intro cycles through portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume. Many of these portraits are based on historical paintings with the actors' faces superimposed on them.
For instance, the portrait of Nadja (played by Natasia Demetriou) is based on Henri Regnault's 1870 painting, Salome, with the original painting housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Another portrait of Nadja is based on Gustave Courbet's Madame Auguste Cuoq, 1852-1857, also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Laszlo's (played by Matt Berry) portrait, clean-shaven and with a massive ruff, is based on William Beechey's Portrait of Mirza Abu'l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III, 1809.
The attention to detail and historical accuracy in the portraits, even with the superimposed actor's faces, have been praised by viewers, with one commenter noting the "amazing amount of work" that went into the credits. The artwork was created by John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios.
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Nadja's portrait is based on Salome, by Henri Regnault
The opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows showcase the various characters over the centuries, with the actors' faces superimposed on historical paintings. One of the portraits, featuring Nadja, played by Natasia Demetriou, is based on the 1870 painting 'Salome' by Henri Regnault.
The original painting depicts Maria Latini, an Italian model Regnault met in Rome, as Salome, an ancient figure who, as the Bible recounts, danced for her stepfather, Herod Antipas, the governor of Judaea, and received the severed head of John the Baptist as a reward. Interestingly, Regnault initially represented Latini as an African woman, but later enlarged the canvas and transformed it into a representation of Salome. The painting was exhibited at the Salon of 1870 to great acclaim, and for years it was considered a masterpiece of contemporary art.
The portrait of Nadja in the opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows pays homage to this iconic painting by Regnault, with the actor's face superimposed on the original subject. The creative team at Method Studios, led by John Likens, seamlessly blended the historical artwork with the modern character, creating a unique and eye-catching visual for the show's opening sequence.
The use of historical paintings in the opening credits adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the show, appealing to art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The attention to detail and the high quality of the portraits, including the one based on Regnault's 'Salome', enhance the overall aesthetic of the show and contribute to its perfection, as described by a fan on frockflicks.com.
The painting 'Salome' by Henri Regnault has had a significant impact not only in the realm of art history but also in popular culture, as evidenced by its inclusion in the opening credits of What We Do in the Shadows.
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Laszlo's portrait is original but evokes gentlemen's portraits from the mid-1800s
The opening credits of the American comedy horror mockumentary fantasy TV series *What We Do in the Shadows* showcase the various characters over the centuries, with the song "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega playing in the background. The credits feature brief portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume. Many of these portraits are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them.
One such portrait is that of Laszlo, played by Matt Berry. Laszlo's portrait is an original creation by the design team, but it is evocative of portraits of gentlemen from the mid-1800s. The painting features Laszlo clean-shaven and wearing a massive ruff. It is reminiscent of the painting "Portrait of Mirza Abu'l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III" by William Beechey, painted in 1809.
The attention to detail in Laszlo's portrait and the other credits artwork has been praised by viewers, with one commenter calling them "masterpieces". The artwork in the credits was created by John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios. The portraits are not only aesthetically pleasing but also help to establish the show's setting and the characters' backgrounds.
The show *What We Do in the Shadows* has received critical acclaim for its cast and writing, with a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 Emmy Award nominations. The show's unique blend of absurdity and fun, along with its expansion of vampire lore, has made it a favourite among viewers and critics alike.
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Other paintings referenced include works by Courbet, Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, and William Beechey
The opening credits of the TV series *What We Do in the Shadows* feature portraits of the main characters in various styles of historical costume. Many of these portraits are copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them.
One such painting is Juan Pantoja de la Cruz's "Portrait of Diego de Villamayor" (c. 1605), which is used as the basis for the portrait of Laszlo (played by Matt Berry). The character is depicted clean-shaven and wearing a massive ruff.
Another painting referenced in the credits is William Beechey's "Portrait of Mirza Abu’l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III" (1809). This portrait is used as the basis for Nandor (played by Kayvan Novak), whose character is from a region in Persia during the 13th century.
Additionally, Gustave Courbet's "Madame Auguste Cuoq" (1852-1857) is referenced as the basis for the portrait of Nadja (played by Natasia Demetriou).
The attention to detail in the opening credits has been praised, with viewers noting that the credits are eye-catching and intriguing, and the portraits themselves described as masterpieces.
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Frequently asked questions
The song used in the opening credits is "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega.
John Likens and the creative team at Method Studios are responsible for the artwork in the opening credits.
Yes, many of the portraits in the opening credits are very good copies of historical paintings with the faces of the actors superimposed on them. For example, the portrait of Nadja (played by Natasia Demetriou) is based on Henri Regnault's 1870 painting, Salome.
