Disney unlocks silent stories: asl brings frozen, moana, encanto to life
A seismic shift in Disney animation is underway, as the studio releases ‘Songs in Sign Language,’ a groundbreaking project that reimagines beloved musical moments from Frozen 2, Moana 2, and Encanto using American Sign Language. This isn’t just accessibility; it’s a fundamental reimagining of how these stories can be experienced.
A father’s vision fuels a revolution
The impetus? Hyrum Osmond, a Disney animator and director, whose father, a Deaf man, profoundly shaped his perspective. Osmond recounts, ‘He was always incredibly supportive of my career, and he’d watch all my Movies with subtitles. He really loved going to the theater, feeling the vibrations, experiencing things in a completely different way.’ This simple observation ignited a radical idea: what if these iconic Disney songs were created for him, for the Deaf community?
Beyond the word: choreography of emotion
This project isn’t a simple translation. DJ Kurs, artistic director for Deaf West Theatre, spearheaded the creative process, collaborating with choreographer Catalene Sacchetti and a team of eight performers. They meticulously dismantled the lyrics, focusing on the underlying emotions and concepts, crafting entirely new choreography in ASL that resonated with the original intent. ‘We created entirely new animation in the majority of cases,’ Osmond revealed, ‘making substantial adjustments to ensure the animation truly captured the essence of the original music.’
A barrier broken, a community connected
Growing up, Osmond admitted, he’d never learned sign language, a gap that hindered his connection with his father. ‘This reimagining helps bring down barriers and allows us to connect in a truly special way with our audiences in the Deaf community,’ he stated. The result is a stunning visual narrative, demonstrating the profound beauty and expressive power of ASL.
More than a technical achievement
Heather Blodget and Christina Chen, producers on the project, emphasized the scale of the undertaking: ‘over 20 animators’ dedicated their skills to this endeavor.’ But beyond the technical brilliance, lies a powerful message. Kurs eloquently put it: ‘Disney stories are the universal language of childhood. The chance to bring our language into that world was a historic opportunity to reach a global audience.’ This project isn’t just about Disney; it’s about expanding the very definition of storytelling – and the hearts of children everywhere.
Check out clips of ‘The Next Right Thing,’ ‘Beyond,’ and ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ now on Disney+.