I. INDIE CONFERENCE DATE CORRECTION: OCTOBER 5-7!
II. FI-CORE MUSICIANS RIGHTS – LOCAL 47 REHEARSALS
III. BOARD STILL PLANNING ON REFERAL LOCATION REMOVAL.
IV. AFM Captures Greater Share of Video Game Market
V. SPOTLIGHT AWARDS APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
VI. EVENTS AND SEMINARS
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I. INDIE CONFERENCE DATE CORRECTION: OCTOBER 5-7! NOT FEBRUARY!
In our previous offering we erroneously reported that the upcoming
OCTOBER 5-7 Independent Music Conference was in February.
The text of the section was correct, the heading, reporting Feb. 5-7
as the dates was wrong.
The INDIE MUSIC CONFERENCE will be held at Local 47, OCTOBER
5-7, 2007!
We apologize for the incorrect dates of the previous mailing.
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II. FI-CORE MUSICIAN RIGHTS – LOCAL 47 REHEARSALS
We’ve been contacted by several very concerned musicians about
their jobs being affected by Espinosa Administration policies.
That is ironic, since it’s the Espinosa Administration policies and
conduct that drove many musicians to choose fi-core status
to begin with.
Many orchestras rent the Local 47 auditorium for rehearsals, including
the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Orchestra, and others. Some
fi-core musicians are tenured and contracted members of these
orchestras. According to the new Espinosa Administration edict, they
cannot use any Local facilities, even under these circumstances.
While the COMMITTEE does not condone going “Beck Status” in
any way, shape, or form, the rights of ALL musicians working under
a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) must be protected. Along
those lines, it is the paramount duty of our local to obey the law,
all of it.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
–By law a fi-core musician, even though not a union member,
when employed by a CBA union orchestra IS TO BE TREATED AS
IF THEY ARE A UNION MEMBER. By singling out fi-core musicians
employed by a union orchestra and refusing them use of Local
47 facilities for a rehearsal of the orchestra, Local 47 is violating
national labor law.—
A JUDGMENT CALL
As it is not written AFM policy to exclude fee-paying fi-core
musicians from the use of Union facilities, the Local 47 leadership
is acting on its own in making that choice. Since it is a judgment
call, would someone please exercise some and think this through
logically?
Did anybody stop to think that exclusion of fee paying fi-core status
musicians from rehearsing as tenured members of such a group will
come back to bite us in the long run? Such action, by logical, ethical
extension means that Mr. Espinosa must cease generating any current
or planned income by renting out the to-be-renovated building for use
in movie/TV production or as a meeting hall for other organizations,
since they aren’t “members” either.
(FYI: Please keep in mind that fi-core musicians, though they
are nonmembers, pay approx. $170 out of the normal $192 in
annual fees to be considered Financial Core musicians.
Remember, they have no union rights except when working
under a union contract. Plus, they pay work dues on the
employment generated through rehearsals in that auditorium,
despite their non-membership status.)
Also, by selectively prohibiting musicians from rehearsing at the
Local as part of a larger enterprise, they are, in effect “outing” the
fi-core members to the rest of the orchestra. This isn’t just vindictive
harassment, it’s a specific violation of a Federal court decision.
WEARINESS
Local policy is either initiated or affirmed by the Board, and we
grow weary of having to point out such obvious flaws in its rationale
which expose us to more potential litigation. We respectfully
beseech the Board members to dig more deeply than they historically
have before they sign on to all such future feel-good, knee-jerk policies.
SIMPLY RESIGNING IS NOT ENOUGH
To be scrupulous in this discussion, we must point out that if you simply
resign and do NOT request Beck status, you are not entitled to these
protections. You must specifically request your Beck rights and pay the
majority of the membership fees, as calculated by the Local, to be
included in that classification.
If they don’t reverse this policy, AND FAST, they could be facing
litigation from every fee paying fi-core musician whose work under
CBA’s has been affected.
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III. BOARD STILL PLANNING ON REFERAL LOCATION REMOVAL.
Our sources at the Local tell us that VP TROMBETTA was recently
seen recording a video for potential contractors on the renovation
of the Local 47 auditorium. He was reported to have been pointing
out renovation ideas for the LOBBY area which houses the Network
Referral Service, among other locations. Obviously, the Espinosa
administration is continuing with plans which either ignore or outright
violate YOUR June 2004 member vote to keep our referral service
where it is.
It seems that the only vote of the rank-and-file that they respect is the
one that put them in office. Beyond that…
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IV. AFM Captures Greater Share of Video Game Market
New York, NY — In a bold move to capture a greater share of the
Video Game Scoring market, the American Federation of Musicians of
the United States and Canada’s International Executive Board has
authorized its Officers to enter into a series of “one-off”
agreements with terms that are consistent with current industry
practice. As a result, the AFM has experienced a dramatic increase
in the volume of projects utilizing large orchestras in just a few
short months and anticipates a continued steady stream of increased
work. “AFM musicians have for many years provided the highest
quality music for cinema productions, sound recordings and many other
categories within the entertainment industry. The AFM has stood by
these musicians, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their
significant contributions,” said AFM International President Thomas
F. Lee. “The same excellence in musicianship is demanded in the
video game world. These agreements will enable video game companies
to have access to the best professional recording musicians in the
U.S. and Canada, while offering more work and important benefits for
our members.” The concept for these one-off agreements has been well
received by some of the top video game publishers in the world
including EA (Electronic Arts), SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment of
America), and Ubisoft. “The musicians of the AFM are the finest
recording musicians in the world. Their musicianship and speed is
truly amazing. I will always fight to record every project on a
union contract to make sure that those who contribute their artistry
and prowess to a score are rewarded properly for their hard work,”
commented Christopher Lennertz, a composer with Sonic Fuel.
Musicians who have worked under this new approach to video game
scoring also have responded positively. “The new video game approach
is both bold and courageous in its design. The sudden flood of work
we are experiencing is a direct result of this global and forward
thinking contract. I applaud the AFM for finally opening the spigot
of video game recording to our membership,” said a San Francisco
violinist who played in a recent scoring session. Dave Weiss, a New
York recording musician is also optimistic about the new video game
work. “NY area composers and developers are now using Union talent
here in NYC, whereas before, the high likelihood was that Video Game
work would have gone overseas, non-union, or on a synth. This is a
good start, on which we can build for more employment opportunities
in the future for AFM members.”
Jay Schaffner, Local 802 (NYC) Recording Department Supervisor,
speaks to the potential for increased work for AFM members: “We have
had a very positive response to the Game Agreement — from people who
have in the past recorded Game Music in New York (nearly all
non-union); from game composers who live in the area and look forward
to doing more work here rather than halfway around the world; and
from film composers who are striking out into this arena for the
first time. This is all good news for Local 802 members because of
the potential increase in recording work.”
Janet Ketchum, contractor, also sings the praises of the new
approach. “I recently contracted orchestras for a stream of video
game work recorded at Skywalker Ranch, which produced more than
$450,000 in musicians’ and music prep wages with increased pension,
health and welfare over the course of the summer,” says Ms. Ketchum.
“This is a victory for all AFM recording musicians.”
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
is the largest organization in the world representing the interests
of musicians, with more than 90,000 members in the United States and
Canada. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of
recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or
lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry
standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of
the cultural landscape.
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V. SPOTLIGHT AWARDS APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Applications for The Music Center Spotlight Awards are now available
online at www.musiccenter.org/education.
The Spotlight Awards is a nationally-acclaimed scholarship and
arts training program for Southern California high school students
in the performing and visual arts. Open to all students high
school in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, San
Bernardino, Orange and San Diego Counties.
The deadline for Performing Arts is October 2, 2007.
Visual Arts Deadline is December 1, 2007.
The performing arts program includes non-classical voice, jazz
instrumental, ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice and
classical instrumental. All preliminary participants receive a
performance evaluation letter by mail plus the opportunity to
observe specific master classes. All who advance to the semifinal
level participate in professional master classes to be held from
January – March 2008 and receive $100. Honorable Mentions
receive $250 each. Twelve finalists will be selected (two from
each category) and will be showcased at a gala performance at
the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, April 26, 2008.
FIRST GRAND PRIZE: $5,000
SECOND GRAND PRIZE: $4,000
Honorable Mention receive $250 and Semifinalists, $100.
The two-dimensional design and photography program offers
young artists and photographers the opportunity to have their
work viewed by a panel of prominent museum curators, artists
and designers as well as professional photographers and
collectors. All applicants are invited to attend master classes and
museum tours. All who advance to the semi-final level will have
their artwork hung in a prominent Southern California Gallery.
For more information please contact the Hotline at 213.972.3300
or email at [email protected]
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VI. EVENTS
ASMAC PRESENTS: A MUSICIANS PANEL!
Wednesday, Sept. 19th – 11:30am
@ Catalina’s in Hollywood
Join us for a very interesting panel discussion – A Player’s
Perspective…
(or maybe a Musician’s Rebuttal?)…
Our special guest panelists will offer their take on music today,
what’s behind the music, how it is today compared to ‘back
when….’ And how it ‘really’ is in the trenches! Maybe we’ll hear
a few good stories….hopefully a LOT of good stories…..
Gayle Levant, harp
Rick Baptist, brass
Earle Dumler, oboe
Dennis Karmazyn, cello
Mike Lang, piano/keyboards
Moderated by Ira Hearshen
Join us…. You’ll be glad you did! (and if they can’t make it, we’re
sure they’ll send in a sub)
Wednesday, Sept. 19th
11:30am Cocktails – 12:00noon Lunch
Catalina Bar & Grill
(1 BLOCK E OF HIGHLAND – north side of street – corner of
McCadden)
Cost: ASMAC Members & Students $30 • Guests and all walk-ins $35
Parking: Valet $3.00 • Enter on McCadden – west side of
Catalina’s – lot at back
Please make reservations by Tuesday morning, Sept. 18th @ 818/994-4661
Or by email to [email protected]
AND check out our website—www.asmac.org
ASMAC – REMINDERS AND SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, Oct. 17th – ASMAC Luncheon – speaker TBA
Thursday, November 15th – 6pm – ASMAC’s
GOLDEN SCORE AWARDS
at The Music Box
Honoring Alan Silvestri, Golden Score Award – Composing
and Bill Holman, Golden Score Award – Arranging
———-
Notice from Billy Mitchell
www.minority-report.net
The Band
The Project
The Production Team
Our new CD,”Minority Report-Classified,” is an experimental project
that has been created with easy listening in mind. A groove brand of
jazz blending contemporary beats with some ethnic flavors. Our goal is
music that feels good!
To order a copy:
www.cdbaby.com/minorityreport2
Billy Mitchell, 626-574-5040
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Colleagues,
Don’t forget the October 22nd meeting! You will need to be there!,
Until next time.
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47