Daniel Kwan

Daniel Kwan () and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as Daniels, are American film directors and screenwriters. They began their career as directors of music videos, including the popular DJ Snake & Lil Jon music video for the single " Turn Down for What" (2013). They have since ventured into film, having written and directed the surreal comedy-drama ''Swiss Army Man'' (2016) and the science-fiction action comedy ''Everything Everywhere All at Once'' (2022). The latter became A24's highest-grossing film of all time.

Careers

Kwan and Scheinert met while they were both studying film at Emerson College in Boston. They went to college with Sunita Mani, who starred with Kwan in the music video for " Turn Down for What", which Daniels directed.

Since 2011, the duo have directed music videos for artists including Foster the People, The Shins and Tenacious D. In 2018, Kwan co-founded the group We Direct Music Videos (W.D.M.V.), described as "a global community of music video directors who are committed to sustainable directorial labor practices".

In 2016, the duo expanded to feature films, writing and directing ''Swiss Army Man'', starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, which received positive reviews, as well as the duo winning the Directing Award at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.

Daniels have since accumulated several television directing credits, including '' Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Legion'' (Kwan only) ''and On Becoming a God in Central Florida'' (Scheinert only). Daniels were attached as directors on a prospective TV adaption of '' Cat's Cradle'' by Kurt Vonnegut, being developed by Noah Hawley, but the project was not picked up.

The duo announced in 2017 they would write, direct and produce a sci-fi film, with their producing partner Jonathan Wang and the Russo brothers. ''Everything Everywhere All at Once,'' starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis, was released in March 2022 to widespread critical acclaim.

As of 2022, Daniels have signed a first look TV deal with A24. The same year, they also signed a five-year film deal with Universal Pictures.

Daniels were on the ''Time'' 100 Next list in 2022.

Personal lives

Kwan was born in Westborough, Massachusetts. He is married to fellow filmmaker and animator Kirsten Lepore.

Scheinert was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Becky and Ken Scheinert. He attended Oak Mountain Elementary and Middle School, and was a student in the International Baccalaureate program at Shades Valley High School.

Filmography

Short films

Scheinert only

Feature films

Scheinert only

Television

Kwan only

Scheinert only

Music videos

Accolades

References

External links

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Daniels articles at Prettybird

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Screenwriting duos
Filmmaking duos