Los Angeles, CA – On March 6, 2025, Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) continued its Family Hour Series, exploring the fantastical world of Dreamworks Abominable & The Invisible City into the classrooms of ETM-LA Partner Schools across LA County. Nearly 2,000 students tuned into this virtual Community Arts Hour, which featured a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process for the film Abominable & The Invisible City, alongside an improv animation demonstration and interactive art lesson with students.
Director Ruolin Li (Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Artist Amelia Kasten (Dreamworks Dragons Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky) explained the storyboard process of Abominable & The Invisible City, illustrating the power of art to convey meaning and emotions. In a collaborative demonstration, actor Karen Huie (Ghost of Tsushima, Nancy Drew) voiced character Nai Nai (Grandmother) while Kasten live animated the reading, following the vision and guidance of Li..
Composer George Shaw (Escape the Night, Star Wars Musical) unpacked his music composition process to enhance storytelling. Students learned how Shaw incorporated cultural instruments into his composition to blend western and eastern sounds. They also enjoyed seeing video clips of the recording session for the main theme on violin.
Kasten led the students in an interactive drawing lesson sketching Fenghuang, a magical bird-like creature featured in the series. Kasten demonstrated the way to display movement in a two-dimensional drawing, in addition to sharing how simple shapes can come together to create characters and images.
The event provided students with insight into both the creative filmmaking process and the understanding of how art, acting, and music effectively communicate storytelling, bringing all attendees together in honor of this beautiful series.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Xina Yee
Phone: (818) 433-7600
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
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Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org