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Disney’s ‘Songs in Sign Language’ Reimagines Familiar Songs Through a Deaf Lens

April 21, 2026April 22, 2026 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Songs in Sign Language, debuting April 27 on Disney+, is an opportunity to bring songs to the Deaf community in ways that feel fully expressive, intentional, and culturally authentic, rather than simply translated and confined to a small box in the corner. In our interview with Disney animator and director Hyrum Osmond (Olaf Presents), Deaf West Theatre artistic director DJ Kurs, and sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti, we explore why reimagining songs from Frozen II, Moana 2, and Encanto matters.

Interview, Music, Video Games

Natasha Ofili of ‘Miles Morales’ and ‘Spider-Man 2’ on Working as a Deaf Black Actor

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 Dominic Mah

Natasha Ofili is a deaf Black actor who portrays Hailey Cooper in the Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2 video games from Insomniac Games. My talk with Natasha and ASL interpreter Gabriel is up at the NOC YouTube channel now.

Interview, Movies

The Amazing Kaylee Hottle on ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’

March 30, 2024 Mike Manalo

It’s been a terrific time for representation for the Deaf community in entertainment. With CODA winning Best Picture in 2021, and the addition of characters like Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari from Eternals, and Alaqua Cox’s Echo to big franchises like the MCU, strong, empowered characters representing Deaf individuals have never been more compelling and more prominent in pop culture. And now we can add Kaylee Hottle’s Jia to that list in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire!

Interview, Marvel, Television

Insights From the Cast and Creative Staff of Marvel’s ‘Echo’

January 13, 2024January 14, 2024 Dominic Mah

Wrapping up our coverage of Marvel Studios’ newest series Echo, here’s three interviews I conducted with cast members Devery Jacobs (Bonnie) and Chaske Spencer (Henry), director Sydney Freeland, and executive producer Richie Palmer.

Marvel, Reviews, Streaming1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Echo’ is Hard Hitting and Emotionally Resonant

January 11, 2024January 14, 2024 Mike Manalo

Marvel Studios has heard the complaints from everyone post-Endgame, and has decided to create a dedicated banner specifically for one-off character stories: Marvel Spotlight. Like the comics that inspired the moniker, these shows will focus on telling stories about single characters that can be easily decoupled from the grander arcs of narrative building within the MCU. And the first series to be released under the Marvel Spotlight banner is Echo.

Marvel, Reviews, Streaming1 Comment

‘Echo’ Changes the Game and the Frame for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

January 11, 2024March 28, 2024 Dominic Mah

The question looms over every Marvel Studios release these days: “Is it a game-changer?” Does this latest show/movie/sequel change the formula, or rekindle the magic or… accomplish anything? Marvel’s new series Echo certainly serves as a frame-changer, centering a Native American character who also happens to be deaf and an amputee.

Interview, Marvel, Streaming2 Comments

‘Echo’ Star Alaqua Cox on Motherhood and Deaf Representation in the MCU

January 3, 2024January 4, 2024 Dominic Mah

It was a pleasure to talk with Alaqua Cox about Marvel’s Echo, premiering January 9 on Disney+ and Hulu, with assistance by an ASL interpreter. We’ll be sharing more from the Echo press event over the coming week.