“What We Do in the Shadows,” the mockumentary-style comedy series following the misadventures of centuries-old vampires in Staten Island, primarily films in and around Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This allows the production to leverage the city’s diverse architecture and readily available film industry infrastructure to bring the vampires’ absurd lives to life.
Staten Island… or is it? Unmasking the Setting
While the show is ostensibly set in Staten Island, New York, viewers with a keen eye will quickly notice that many establishing shots and interior scenes feel…unfamiliar. That’s because the majority of filming takes place in Canada, primarily utilizing studios and practical locations in and around Toronto. The decision to film in Toronto offers significant logistical and financial advantages, allowing for a larger production scale and higher quality visuals than might be possible with a strictly on-location shoot in New York City.
The team behind “What We Do in the Shadows” cleverly uses exterior shots of Staten Island to maintain the illusion of the setting, seamlessly blending them with the Toronto-based filming. This blend of reality and fabrication is crucial to the show’s comedic effect, highlighting the mundane existence of these immortal creatures against the backdrop of an ordinary American borough. Careful set design and prop placement also contribute to the illusion, ensuring that the interiors of the vampires’ dilapidated mansion feel appropriately atmospheric and authentic to the intended setting.
The Power of Post-Production
It’s crucial to understand the role of post-production in creating the show’s distinct visual aesthetic. Subtle enhancements, color grading, and the addition of visual effects all play a significant role in transforming Toronto into a believable (albeit comedic) version of Staten Island. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the visual environment aligns seamlessly with the show’s narrative and comedic tone.
Key Filming Locations in and Around Toronto
While pinpointing the exact locations of every single scene is challenging due to the blending of studio sets and real-world locations, some key areas frequently used for filming have been identified.
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Studio Shoots: The primary filming location is a studio in the Toronto area, where the interiors of the vampire mansion, the familiar’s basement, and various other recurring sets are meticulously constructed. This studio environment offers greater control over lighting, sound, and set design, allowing the production team to create the specific atmosphere required for each scene.
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Exterior Shots in Toronto: Various neighborhoods and streets throughout Toronto are utilized for exterior shots that depict the streets of Staten Island. These locations are carefully chosen to resemble the architectural style and overall aesthetic of the New York borough.
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Natural Settings Around Toronto: The surrounding areas of Toronto, including parks and wooded areas, are used for scenes that require natural settings. These locations provide a contrast to the urban environment and offer opportunities for the vampires to interact with the outside world in comedic and often disastrous ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the vampire mansion an actual house in Staten Island?
No, the vampire mansion is primarily a set built within a studio in the Toronto area. While exterior shots of actual houses in Staten Island are sometimes used for establishing shots, the interior scenes are almost entirely filmed on a purpose-built set.
Q2: How do they make Toronto look like Staten Island?
The show uses a combination of factors, including exterior shots of Staten Island landmarks, set design, props, and post-production visual effects, to create the illusion. Careful attention to detail in these areas helps to blend the Toronto-based filming with the authentic aesthetic of Staten Island.
Q3: Are there any recognizable Toronto landmarks featured in the show?
While the production team actively attempts to disguise the Toronto locations, eagle-eyed viewers might occasionally spot glimpses of recognizable architecture or streetscapes. However, these instances are rare, as the focus is on maintaining the illusion of Staten Island.
Q4: Why did they choose to film in Toronto instead of Staten Island?
Filming in Toronto offers significant financial incentives, a robust film industry infrastructure, and a wider range of readily available resources. This allows the production to maintain a high standard of quality while managing costs effectively.
Q5: Does the cast ever film in Staten Island?
While occasional promotional material or very brief exterior shots might be filmed in Staten Island, the primary filming location for the series remains in and around Toronto.
Q6: How much of the show is filmed on set versus on location?
The vast majority of the show is filmed on purpose-built sets within a studio. Location filming is primarily used for establishing shots and scenes requiring specific exterior environments.
Q7: Does the show’s location influence the storylines?
Indirectly, yes. The production team can more easily explore diverse scenarios and visual settings by having access to the resources and flexibility provided by filming in and around Toronto. This indirectly allows them to push the boundaries of the storylines.
Q8: What kind of challenges do they face filming a show about vampires in a non-vampire-friendly location (sunlight, etc.)?
The vampires’ aversion to sunlight is addressed through a combination of clever writing, set design, and visual effects. They primarily operate at night or within enclosed, dimly lit spaces. When they do venture into the daylight, they often use umbrellas, hats, or are shown to suffer the comedic consequences.
Q9: How does the filming location contribute to the show’s humor?
The juxtaposition of the mundane reality of Staten Island (or, rather, the Toronto-version of it) with the ancient and often absurd nature of the vampires is a key element of the show’s humor. The ordinary setting amplifies the comedic effect of their extraordinary lives.
Q10: Is there a way to visit the filming locations in Toronto?
While the primary filming location is a studio and therefore not generally accessible to the public, some of the exterior locations used in Toronto are accessible. However, it’s important to respect local residents and businesses and avoid trespassing on private property. Furthermore, without knowing the specific addresses of each shot, it’s very hard to track where specifically a shot was filmed.
Q11: How do they ensure the actors maintain a consistent performance style across different filming locations and sets?
The show benefits from the consistent direction of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, who established the mockumentary style and comedic tone from the original film. Furthermore, the talented cast are adept at maintaining their characters’ personalities and mannerisms regardless of the filming location.
Q12: What role does the Canadian film industry play in the success of “What We Do in the Shadows?”
The Canadian film industry provides crucial support for “What We Do in the Shadows,” offering skilled crew members, state-of-the-art facilities, and financial incentives that contribute significantly to the show’s production quality and overall success. The availability of these resources allows the production team to focus on the creative aspects of the show without being constrained by logistical or financial limitations.