Video: First Look at Disney Animation’s SONGS IN SIGN LANGUAGE

Ahead of its debut on April 27, Disney has shared a first look at footage from Songs in Sign Language, its collaboration with the Deaf West Theatre that reimagined and animated songs from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2 in American Sign Language (ASL).

Directed by veteran Disney animator/director Hyrum Osmond, the featured songs are “The Next Right Thing” (from Frozen 2), “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (from Encanto), and “Beyond” (from Moana 2). Take a look at clips taken from each musical number, as well as behind-the-scenes b-roll footage that offers a look at the process.

Osmond, along with producers Heather Blodget and Christina Chen, worked in collaboration with artistic director DJ Kurs and the team at Los Angeles’ Tony Award-winning Deaf West Theatre to create the new versions of these songs. A special behind-the-scenes featurette will accompany its release.

Osmond led a team of more than 20 animators who worked with sign language reference expressly created for Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language. DJ Kurs, artistic director for Deaf West Theatre, worked with sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti and a group of eight performers from Deaf West Theatre, reimagining and choreographing lyrics into ASL by focusing on concepts and emotion instead of a word-for-word transcription.

Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language will be available on Disney+ on April 27, which coincides with National Deaf History Month.

Video/Photo Credit: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios