Paul Kieve has worked with legendary movie director Martin Scorcese on the new movie HUGO as magic consultant. He also tutored actor Sir Ben Kingsley in his role as magician and film maker Georges Melies and young Asa Butterfield (Hugo). Brian Selznick, author of ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ on which the movie is based, interviewed Paul for the ‘Hugo Movie Companion’ book. One of the most exciting shots in the movie recreates an act performed on the stage of the magical Robert Houdin theatre in the 1890′s. The shot was suggested by Paul to Scorcese based directly on an image depicted on an antique magical poster.
Batman Live completed a successful UK tour including a triumphant 11 day run at the O2 arena in London. The Evening Standard said ”we are treated to some neat illusions courtesy of magician Paul Kieve and visually the show, directed by Anthony Van Laast, is often impressive” . The show continues to tour arenas in Scandinavia and mainland Europe into the middle of 2012 before opening in the USA.
Paul Kieve was the first illusionist to work on any of the Harry Potter films.
He was requested by director Alfonso Cuaron to add physical magic to the third movie – ” Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”.
He created magical effects performed ‘live’ for the cameras in a number of scenes including the opening Leaky Cauldron shot, the distinctive floating spheres in the Astronomy Room, as well as making a cameo appearance in the Three Broomsticks pub (the first and only magician ever to actually perform magic in a Harry Potter film).
Paul created, constructed and operated the final folding Maurauders map – the last full-sceen effects shot in the movie.
A scene involving Hogwart’s students performed magic in Hogwart’s Hall was deleted from the movie but appears on the DVD. In preparation for this scene Paul held the first ever magic class on set.
Paul also acted as a pre-production consultant to Mike Newall and the producers for the fourth movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”.
On a smaller scale he worked and collaborated with renowned German artist Christian Jankowski to create and star in a short film called “Flock” in which he transformed an audience into sheep and lead them around an art gallery.
He has worked closely with writer Tim Firth to develop a script for Sam Mendes and Working title for the forthcoming movie entitled “Fool”.
Paul’s first big break came at the age of 16 in January 1984 when he was asked to double in for Sade’s hands on the video of her first single Your Love is King. The video led directly to an appearance on Blue Peter where he performed with presenter Janet Ellis. In the BBC bar afterwards he met Janet’s partner, Robin Bexter, who helped him a secure a guest spot on the Thames Television’s series Illusions. So Sade and the Ellis- Bextor’s were instrumental in the start of Paul’s Career!
Paul Kieve was the first illusionist to work on any of the Harry Potter films.
On a smaller scale he worked and collaborated with renowned German artist Christian Jankowski to create and star in a short film called “Flock” in which he transformed an audience into sheep and lead them around an art gallery.
