What We Do in the Shadows Intro Pictures: Visual Identity and Production Design
The opening title sequence of What We Do in the Shadows features a series of stylized still images and animated vignettes that establish the show's mockumentary tone. These intro pictures highlight the vampire household's New Zealand mansion, its decaying interiors, and the surrounding gothic landscape. The sequence was designed by the series' production design team at FX Productions to mirror the aesthetic of the original 2014 film by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. The visual approach uses muted color palettes, practical lighting, and carefully composed tableaux that reference classic horror cinema while grounding the imagery in the show's deadpan comedic style. Each frame is intentionally static at times, reinforcing the documentary format that the series adopts from its first episode onward FX Networks What We Do in the Shadows.
The intro pictures also serve as a narrative shorthand for the household's dynamics. Viewers see the vampires in their domestic routines, from lounging in the mansion's outdated furniture to interacting with familiar props like the coffin and the kitchen appliances. The production team, led by production designer Jake Milton, builds these environments on soundstages at Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia, where principal photography for the series takes place. The sets are dressed with period-appropriate decor and subtle horror references that reward repeat viewing. According to the show's creators, the still images in the intro were selected to give new viewers an immediate sense of the show's tone without revealing major plot points Forbes What We Do in the Shadows Season 6.
Key Visual Elements and Recurring Imagery in the Intro
Architectural and Set Design Details
One of the most recognizable elements in the intro pictures is the mansion's exterior, which was inspired by real colonial-era estates in New Zealand. The production team used a combination of location shots and constructed facades to create a consistent look across the sequence. The interior shots feature the kitchen, the living room, and the hallway where the vampires frequently gather, all dressed with props that reinforce the characters' anachronistic lifestyles. The lighting in these frames often relies on practical sources such as candelabras and desk lamps, a choice that ties directly to the show's emphasis on in-camera effects and practical filmmaking techniques FilmLight What We Do in the Shadows Interview.
Character Introductions Through Still Frames
The intro sequence introduces the core household members through carefully composed stills that highlight their individual quirks. Nandor the vampire lord appears in regal poses, while Guillermo, his human familiar, is shown in more subdued, service-oriented frames. The pictures also feature Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson, each framed in ways that telegraph their personalities and roles within the group. These character introductions are reinforced by the show's title card, which uses a custom typeface that evokes both classic horror movie posters and the mockumentary genre's visual language. The consistent use of these frames across seasons helps viewers immediately recognize the show's visual identity IGN What We Do in the Shadows Intro Breakdown.
Production Teams and Creative Leadership Behind the Intro Visuals
FX Productions and the Series Creative Team
The intro pictures of What We Do in the Shadows were developed