Disney debuts animated sign language versions of iconic songs

Disney+ is celebrating National Deaf History Month with a groundbreaking new initiative: Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language. The platform has premiered animated versions of three beloved tunes - 'The Next Right Thing' from Frozen 2, 'Beyond' from Moana 2, and 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' from Encanto - reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL).

Behind the project: a personal tribute

Disney animator and director Hyrum Osmond spearheaded the project, drawing inspiration from his Deaf father. 'The inspiration for this project came from my Dad,' Osmond explains. 'He was always very supportive of my career, and he would always watch my Movies with subtitles. He also loved going to the theater because he could feel the vibrations and experience things in a whole different way. I began thinking, 'What would our Disney songs look like if we had made them for him? What if we had made them for the Deaf community? What would that look like?'

'Sign language is one of the most beautiful ways of communication on Earth,' Osmond continued. 'If ever there was a medium to showcase sign language, it was animation. The other big reason for doing this project is to connect with the Deaf community. Growing up, I never learned sign language, and that barrier prevented me from really connecting with my dad. This reimagining of Disney Animation musical numbers helps bring down barriers and allows us to connect in a special way with our audiences in the Deaf community. I'm grateful that the Studio got behind making something so impactful.'

Osmond worked closely with over 20 animators, sign language reference created for Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language, in collaboration with DJ Kurs, artistic director for Deaf West Theatre, and sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti, along with a group of eight performers who 'carefully reimagined and choreographed lyrics into ASL by focusing on concepts and emotion instead of a word-for-word transcription.'