In 2006, early in the filming of Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, Paul Harris was engaged by Warner Bros films, at the specific request of the Director David Yates, to create a physical Movement language for the use of the wand in the Harry Potter film franchise and then to use this movement language, to choreograph both the Sirius Black Death sequence and the Voldemort-Dumbledore duel at the end of the movie. These two scenes have become iconic and have cemented Paul’s place in the Wizarding World. 

 

David Yates had a clear vision of what he wanted and was determined to develop a movement language with grace and artistry, more reminiscent of dance, than a mortal fight. As preparation, Paul studied the first 4 Harry Potter films thoroughly and read all of the books in order to develop a deep understanding of the magical world, to create something that would not undermine what had already been committed to the screen, but would facilitate the development of the physical aspect of what became known as Wand Combat for all future films in the franchise. 

 

Paul initially developed his ideas with an assistant, body doubles and stunt doubles, before creating actual choreography and trying it out on the first 3 Actors available to rehearse – Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham-Carter. The Actors fully embraced what Paul had created and enthusiastically committed themselves to learning this movement language. 

 

Paul then rehearsed all of the principal cast and created the Sirius Black death sequence, as a real-time piece of movement choreography for 4 of the principal Actors involved and several actors playing Death Eaters.  He then created the Voldemort-Dumbledor duel as single movements, resulting in huge effects, which culminated in the Ministry of Magic Atrium being blown up !

 

Paul’s Movement language was used in the subsequent 4 Harry Potter films and when Warner Bros Studio Tour opened in 2012, Paul was engaged to record an interactive mirror featuring himself teaching Wand Combat to the public, as a permanent part of the tour, This mirror has since been added to the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, and has been seen in both locations by millions of visitors. 

 

Paul Harris still personally works with the Actors playing Death Eaters, at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and he has choreographed the Death Eaters live performances for the Dark Arts feature for the last 6 years.  He appears Worldwide at Harry Potter events to talk about his contribution to the Wizarding World. He was a guest speaker at all of the Harry Potter Celebrations at Universal Studios in Orlando, from 2014 to 2019. He has appeared at Harry Potter events at Sydney Olympic Park, Federation Square Melbourne, the O2 Arena in London and he toured the UK with giant wands, to launch the Fantastic Beasts films, with appearances in 8 cities, including Leicester Square and outside St Paul’s cathedral in London.