Composers Haim Mazar and Grace Fisher are set to score Disney’s upcoming animated short, “Lilo & Scratch.”
The new short will play ahead of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Hexed.” It follows Stitch, who may have
finally met his match in Scratch, a mischievous and mysterious cat who Lilo introduces as the
newest member of their ‘ohana. While Lilo runs off to do some errands, Stitch is left in charge of
this chaotic creature, who leaves a wake of destruction in its path.
The score blends a nine-piece Hawaiian ensemble with a 70-piece symphony orchestra conducted by Mazar, bringing together Fisher’s distinctive musical voice and Mazar’s experience across film, television, animation and Disney productions.
Fisher and Mazar created a new original theme for the characters that could be tailored to both the Hawaiian ensemble and the symphony orchestra.
Fisher, who advocates for accessibility and inclusion in the arts, helping create opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in creative expression, said, “Disney movies and parks were a big part of the magic and wonder of my childhood. To be a part of that legacy is incredible.” She added, ”When I lost the ability to play my instruments, I needed to find another way to create. Adaptive technology has allowed me to compose and forge an even deeper relationship to music. Haim has been a tremendous influence and mentor for me. He’s so talented and knowledgeable and really raised the bar for me to push myself.”
For Fisher, the project marks a significant milestone in a musical journey that required her to rebuild how she creates. A lifelong musician who studied piano, cello and guitar, Fisher was preparing for a future in music when, at 17, she developed Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare illness that left her paralyzed from the neck down.
She learned to play instruments using her mouth and compose through adaptive technology, developing her craft and pursuing a professional career as a composer.
Mazar recently composed and conducted the studio’s animated short “Versa.”
Mazar said, “Grace is an incredibly talented composer with a unique musical voice and a wonderful instinct for storytelling. Our creative partnership developed naturally through a shared enthusiasm for the project. For ‘Lilo & Scratch,’ it was important to us to build the score around a new, original theme that could be tailored to both the Hawaiian ensemble and the symphony orchestra, allowing the two musical worlds to come together in a cohesive and distinctive sound.”
“Lilo & Scratch” was written and directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn (director of “Hexed,” “Wish”)
and Malcon Pierce (“Versa”), and was produced by Nathan Curtis (“Zootopia+”). Jared Bush, chief creative officer for Disney Animation, served as executive producer.
Leave a Reply