James Freedman facts for kids
James Freedman (born April 6, 1965) is a super talented British entertainer. He's famous for his amazing skill as a pickpocket. But don't worry, he's not a real thief. He uses his skills for entertainment and to teach people about staying safe.
He has even "picked the pockets" of very important people like the Mayor of London and the head of the Bank of England. In 2013, a magazine called Time Out said he was "the world's number one pickpocket." James Freedman is so good that police and security experts ask him for advice. In 2015, he became the UK's first Fraud Prevention Ambassador. This means he helps people learn how to protect themselves from scams and tricks.
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James Freedman: Master of Skill and Illusion
James Freedman is a British entertainer born on April 6, 1965. He is known for his incredible talent as a pickpocket. He uses his skills for entertainment and to help others. He has even shown his abilities to important figures like the Mayor of London. In 2013, a popular magazine called Time Out named him "the world's number one pickpocket."
Because he understands how pickpockets work, James Freedman often helps police and security experts. They ask him for advice on how to prevent theft and fraud. In 2015, he was given a special role. He became the UK's first Fraud Prevention Ambassador for the City of London Police. This means he helps teach people how to protect themselves from scams and tricks.
Helping Movies and TV Shows
James Freedman also works as a special consultant. He invents magic tricks and illusions for movies, TV shows, and even big stage productions.
Teaching Actors New Skills
He worked on the 2006 film The Illusionist. For this movie, he taught actors Edward Norton and Aaron Taylor-Johnson the skills they needed for their roles. Edward Norton even said that James is "one of the ultimate all-stars in his field today."
Famous director Roman Polanski asked James to help with the movie Oliver Twist (2005). James taught Sir Ben Kingsley, who played Fagin, and other actors how to pick pockets. He is even listed in the movie's credits as a Pickpocket Consultant.
In 2012, he also taught pickpocket skills to Helena Bonham-Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. They used these skills for their roles in the movie Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper.
He also trained Sir Ian McKellen to act like a stage magician. This was for a short film called The Egg Trick. The director, Stephen Kroto, joked that James "is the man who taught Fagin to pick pockets and Gandalf to perform magic!" James also worked on the 2008 film The Brothers Bloom, directed by Rian Johnson. He helped with the film in London and in Serbia.
Choreographing Crime Dramas
In 2010, James Freedman advised on a crime drama called Dip. This film was about a street pickpocket played by Robert Sheehan. James Freedman planned all the pickpocket scenes. He also taught Robert Sheehan the skills needed to play a street thief.
Creating Magic for Kids' TV
In 2008 and 2009, James Freedman worked with Martyn Rowland. They created magic effects and taught magic tricks to presenter Thomas Brezina. This was for an Austrian children's TV show called Trickfabrik, shown on ORF. The show taught viewers magic tricks they could learn and do themselves. It won an award called an Intermedia-Globe-Silver-Award in 2010. The show was also shown on the German children’s network KI.KA.
Advising on Special Effects
He was also asked to advise on a short film called ARK. This film was written by Charlie Williams and directed by Mal Woolford. It was chosen to be shown at the Palm Springs International Shortfest. James Freedman advised on "traditional magic methods." This helped the director achieve his vision of a four-minute shot with no editing or computer effects.
