Los Angeles, CA – On May 15th, 2025, Education Through Music-Los Angeles’ (ETM-LA) Family Hour Series shared an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience of DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot with approximately 2,500 students from ETM-LA partner school students across LA County. Participants explored the film’s collaborative storyboard, musical, and animation process which illuminated art’s ability to communicate emotions, and also joined an interactive drawing lesson.
Academy Award-Winning Composer Kris Bowers (The Last Repair Shop, Bridgerton) provided a first-hand look into the music of The Wild Robot, sharing how he used a unique combination of “organic and futuristic sounds” to bring the heartfelt story to life. Score Coordinator Sahil Jindal (Haunted Mansion, Bob Marley: One Love) offered additional insight on the progression of turning digital tracks into an orchestral recording. Bowers shared audio clips from the film to show how music amplified emotional messages of community, motherhood, and kindness. In the score, the maternal love Roz has for Brightbill is demonstrated in the main theme as one melody that grows with their developing relationship throughout the course of the movie.
Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Turbo) offered a peek into the film’s storyboarding and described her department as “a writers’ room that can draw.” She demonstrated how the main character Roz’s lights changed colors based on her feelings, and even had a special light that illuminated whenever Roz felt Brightbill’s love. Students then enjoyed an interactive drawing lesson of Roz holding a young Brightbill, guided by Gilbert.
Ending with a Q&A session, the artists addressed topics such as how students should prepare for a career in the arts. Gilbert recommended, “Draw all the time and keep a sketchbook. Draw everything you see… You have to be willing to make mistakes and be OK with trying and failing and fixing it later.” Bowers shared, “Know the craft as much as possible and learn how to communicate with people.” Jindal advised to try to “get over the fear of sharing what you’ve created with other people. Everyone is on the same team and wants to create the best possible thing. It’s a special feeling to find community and to create with them.”
This Family Hour gave students the opportunity to learn about the powerful way music and art conveys emotion and human experience, demonstrating to all attendees that when we blend these essential elements of artistry, we become empowered in our voices.
Be the first to know about future Family Hour Series events! Sign up for our mailing list and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @etmla
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Moskocviak
Phone: (818) 433-7600
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
# # #
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