Updates

What We Do In The Shadows Brings Fang-Tastic Spike To Ontario’s Economy With Over $33 Million Spent On Fourth Season

January 8, 2024

TORONTO, ONTARIO, JANUARY 8, 2024 – New data released today demonstrates the economic impact of FX Networks’ What We Do In The Shadows in Ontario, with over $33.8 million spent on season four alone.

The analysis by Oxford Economics found that 52 per cent of production spending supported wages and salaries for local production crew and other labour, with the remaining 48 per cent spent on local goods and services. From rental services to hotels, catering and more, production-related purchases supported more than 500 Ontario businesses in communities from Hamilton to Sudbury.

Just one season of production stimulated a total of 420 jobs across the province, including 210 direct jobs on the show. A number of talented Ontarians have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to the critically acclaimed series in categories including costume design, production design, stunt coordination, and sound editing. This season, Canadian creatives received numerous Emmy nominations, including:

Shayne Fox, Kerri Wylie and Aaron Noël for “Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour)” for their work on “The Night Market” (S4, Ep. 4).
Laura Montgomery, Barbara Cardoso, Judy Laukkanen for “Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes” for their work on “The Wedding” (S4, Ep. 6).

Based on the mockumentary film of the same name, What We Do In The Shadows documents the nightly exploits of vampire roommates Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and Colin as they navigate the modern world of Staten Island with the help of their human familiar, Guillermo. The series was created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi.

For more on the economic impacts of What We Do In The Shadows, you can read the complete Oxford Economics report here.

*All figures calculated in Canadian dollars*

QUOTES

“Season over season, shows like the FX Network’s What We Do in the Shadows are choosing Ontario for our competitive financial incentives, diverse landscapes, expanding studio space and deep talent pool,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Congratulations to the hundreds of talented Ontario artists and technicians who have helped make this global series a critically- acclaimed success.”

“Ontario’s world-class film and television sector is a growing source of exciting job creation opportunities,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. What We Do in the Shadows exemplifies the production potential of Northern Ontario, with just one season supporting over 500 local businesses and creating hundreds of jobs. We look forward to finding new opportunities to showcase all Ontario has to offer in today’s global entertainment industry.”

“Ontario’s Film Commission has been proud to host and support What We Do In The Shadows since its very first episode” said Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO of, Ontario Creates. “Ontario is a competitive jurisdiction whose talented workforce and state-of-the art infrastructure continues to attract and retain internationally acclaimed productions that bring high-value jobs and economic activity to film regions across the province, in a win-win formula. We congratulate the incredible team in front of, and behind, the camera on five exciting and successful seasons, and look forward to many more!”

“We are so pleased to see statistics released showcasing the profound impact Ontario productions like What We Do In The Shadows have on our local economy,” said DGC Ontario Executive Director Victoria Harding. “Beyond its economic impact, many of our DGC Ontario creatives earned well-deserved recognition for their work on this fantastic show. The substantial economic impact of this series, along with the multiple award nominations and wins, truly spotlights the overall strength and success of Ontario’s creative production industry on a worldwide scale. We take pride in the work done by DGC Ontario Members on What We Do In The Shadows and look forward to fostering even more opportunities for our local talent on the global stage.”

“We are proud to have had IATSE 873 technicians working on the past five seasons of What We Do In The Shadows; their artistry has been recognised year after year with many prestigious accolades. I look forward to more recognition of their skilled work for the upcoming sixth season,” said Angela Mastronardi, IATSE 873 President.

“The data released today demonstrates the significant impact just one production can have on the Ontario economy, with What We Do in the Shadows spending over $33 million in one season alone,” said Wendy Noss, President of the Motion Picture Association – Canada. “Global studios and streamers are combining the talents of Canadian creative workers to make great content for audiences everywhere. What We Do in the Shadows is a great display of Canadian creativity celebrated by audiences and critics around the world.”

ABOUT MPA-CANADA

The Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada) is the voice and advocate of the major international producers and distributors of movies, television and streaming programming in Canada and is an affiliate of the Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA).

Through the production of long-running television series, feature films, and post-production, visual effects, and animation projects, the global studios we serve – including Disney (ABC), Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal (NBCUniversal) and Warner Bros. Discovery (HBO) – make substantial investments in Canada. On behalf of the MPA member studios, we work with governments and local industry partners to support initiatives that strengthen the film, television and streaming industry in Canada.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Matthew Wilson

Communications Coordinator

(647) 624-8971

matthew_wilson@motionpictures.org