David Kwong
David Kwong (born 1980)[1] is a magician, puzzle creator, writer, and producer.[2]
David Kwong | |
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Kwong at "Now You See Me" Q&A, 2013 | |
Born | August 20, 1980 |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Occupation | Magician, Puzzler, Producer, Public Speaker |
Years active | 2002 - Present |
Kwong is known for creating illusions and puzzles for film and television and for functioning as a producer and consultant in the field. He produced Deception, ABC's action crime drama about a magician that joins the FBI.[3] Other productions that Kwong has been involved with include Now You See Me (head magic consultant), NBC's Blindspot, The Magnificent Seven, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and The Imitation Game.[1][4][5] Kwong also frequently contributes to the New York Times crossword puzzle along with crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz.[6]
Kwong graduated from Harvard University in 2002.[2] Kwong is a native of Rochester, New York, where both of his parents are professors at the University of Rochester.[1]
Public Speaking
Kwong has given several TED Talks and regularly speaks on the principles of illusion. His main stage TED Talk on magic and puzzles was coordinated with hiding a secret message in the New York Times crossword puzzle.[7] In 2017, he wrote the book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success.[8]
Theater
In January 2019, Kwong debuted The Enigmatist at the High Line Hotel in New York City. Presented by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, The Enigmatist is an immersive evening of puzzles, cryptology and illusions.[9] The Enigmatist will make its West Coast debut in May 2020 at the Geffen Playhouse.[10]
References
- "David Kwong helps 'Now You See Me' make magic". Los Angeles Times. May 26, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
Kwong, 32
- Zhang, Qichen (January 2012). "Five-letter Word for Magic: David Kwong has a trick that's all his own". Harvard Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
- "Magic Procedural From 'Blindspot' Trio, Futuristic War Drama Land ABC Pilot Pickups". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
- "Seen on a Street Corner, Briefly". The New York Times. December 21, 2014.
- "Blindspot boss drops clues on Jane Doe's tattoos" Entertainment Weekly September 11, 2015
- "The Magician and the Crossword". New York Times. December 6, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
- "Two nerdy obsessions meet – and it's magic". TED.com. July 11, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
- HarperCollins, ISBN 9780062448460, 0062448463, 272 p.
- Meyer, Dan (2019-01-30). "Immersive Theatre Experience The Enigmatist Extended Through March 2019". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
- writer, Los Angeles Times staff. "Geffen Playhouse's 2019-20 season: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Macbeth and a world premiere from Qui Nguyen". latimes.com. Retrieved 2019-05-07.