I. HYPOCRISY IN LONDON
\nII. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LOSES TWO DEAR COLLEAGUES
\nIII. EVENTS AND INFORMATION
\nIV. TRIVIA
\nV. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
================<\/p>\n
I. HYPOCRISY IN LONDON<\/p>\n
Colleagues,
\nWe recently received this email from quite a distinguished
\ncolleague in our business and we would like to answer it here.<\/p>\n
——-
\nCommittee,<\/p>\n
Can you verify this for me? I understand (from a pretty reliable
\nsource) that Pete Anthony (RMALA President) recently went to
\nLondon to conduct a score for James Newton Howard. Is this a
\ntruth? If so, why hasn’t anyone said anything about this here? <\/p>\n
——<\/p>\n
It is true. <\/p>\n
The film was \u201cThe Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep\u201d. It was a
\nscore by James Newton Howard. Pete Anthony, the current RMALA
\nPresident did in fact conduct the sessions at Abbey Road in
\nLondon. He, as well as many other A listers, were listed as
\norchestrators as well.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019d like to see video of the Abbey Road sessions with Mr.
\nAnthony on the Podium, please go to this site.
\nhttp:\/\/www.sonypictures.com\/movies\/thewaterhorse\/blog\/2007\/12\/21\/ <\/p>\n
According to the \u201cFines\u201d release last year:<\/p>\n
AFM Bylaws: Article 15, Section 3 provides:
\n3(a) No AFM member may perform services (whether as composer,
\narranger, copyist, proofreader, instrumentalist, leader, contractor,
\ncutter, editor, or in any other capacity):
\n(1) where the product of the services is intended to result in, or
\nbe embodied in, recorded music made outside of the United
\nStates and Canada and the possessions of either; or
\n (2) for the purpose of producing, editing, or dubbing recorded
\nmusic except where expressly authorized and covered by a
\ncontract with the AFM or when expressly authorized by the AFM.
\n3(b) Any member violating Section 3(a) shall be subject to a \ufb01ne
\nnot exceeding $50,000 and\/or expulsion.<\/p>\n
Obviously, there is no exception for London, or anywhere else for
\nthat matter. If it\u2019s not AFM, it\u2019s not AFM, end of story.<\/p>\n
THE DIFFERENCE<\/p>\n
Mr. Anthony is by no means alone in this process, even the highest
\nof A listers have been heard telling composer friends, \u201cSure I\u2019ll
\ncome to your house, no problem, Pay me what you can.\u201d Dark
\ndates go on in LA everyday.<\/p>\n
Though he was not RMALA President at the time of the Abbey Road
\nsessions, he has been the highest profile conductor of high end films in
\nHollywood for years and Sandy\u2019s Decrescent\u2019s number one choice..
\nNOW he is the President of the RMALA, (Recording Musicians
\nAssociation of Los Angeles) the very group that has for years most
\nvehemently trotted out terms like traitor, scum or scab when referring
\nto musicians who, for one reason or another, do non-AFM work,
\nchoose to go Core Status because Local 47 is useless to them, or
\nwork any session outside of Los Angeles that isn\u2019t AFM.<\/p>\n
Mr. Anthony is no less guilty than any \u201cScab\u201d according to the
\nbylaws, but no-one in the RMA has raised a question or a
\ncomplaint, much less an eyebrow. Now that\u2019s hypocrisy.<\/p>\n
ET TU PRESIDENT ESPINOSA?<\/p>\n
Where has our Local 47 President, Executive Officers and Board
\nmembers been on this subject? As you might guess,.. silent as
\nlambs. Something to do with biting the hand that feeds them.
\nAfter all, you can\u2019t expect them to hold the RMA to the same
\nstandards they hold the non-recording members to, can you?
\nYes, you can. If they\u2019re honest.<\/p>\n
Where is our Hearing\/Trial board on this? Why have they not filed
\ncharges against Mr. Anthony? <\/p>\n
SERVING THOSE WHO PUT THEM THERE<\/p>\n
The Board of Local 47 was elected to serve the entire membership
\nof our Local and hold everyone equally responsible (and accountable)
\nfor their actions, AND, by the way, uphold the AFM Bylaws.<\/p>\n
We simply will not get action from our Local 47 Administration,
\nthe cronyism is too ingrained.<\/p>\n
We can tell the RMA elites and our Local 47 Officers this:
\nAs long as you stay silent on the RMA President doing scab work
\nin London, We expect you to sit on your hands when others go to
\nSeattle, San Francisco, Prague, Bratislava, Barcelona, Mexico,
\nSydney, Perth, or any other location to record. To do otherwise
\nshows you to be intellectual frauds and hypocrites.<\/p>\n
BLAME AFM PRESIDENT LEE?<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re thinking of blaming AFM President Tom Lee for the lack
\nof enforcement, don\u2019t. Charges of this type are filed at the Local
\nlevel. As long as the RMA has undue influence over our Officers,
\nthey will not be held accountable. <\/p>\n
If you want to blame AFM President for the mere existence of this
\nfine, you need to hear the story of how it came to be, and, naturally,
\nthe story includes the letters R.M.A.
\nThat, however, is a story for another day.<\/p>\n
WHY ARE THE RMA PRESIDENT AND A LIST ORCHESTRATORS
\nWILLING TO DO THIS?<\/p>\n
Easy,\u2026 work is leaving.<\/p>\n
Remember DIE HARD WITH AN VENGEANCE?
\nDo you remember wondering why the last 30 minutes of the score was
\nfor the most part \u201cWhen Johnnie Comes Marching Home?\u201d At the time
\nmost of the big work was still here, so when after the first couple of
\ndays the sessions were moved to Seattle, all but one of the orchestrators
\nsaid they wouldn\u2019t work on it. <\/p>\n
Today, with a great deal of that highest end work gone, such \u2018loyalty\u2019
\nis rare.<\/p>\n
A SHORT WORD ABOUT COMPOSERS and ORCHESTRATORS<\/p>\n
Composing is not an AFM-regulated craft, plain and simple. The
\nAFM has no right to fine a composer for composing anywhere.
\nOrchestration is an AFM-regulated craft and they are technically
\nin violation, but orchestrators have to go where the work is
\n(When it\u2019s no longer here.) and have no control over where their
\nclient must go to record.<\/p>\n
Having the cajones to go to London and conduct while you\u2019re
\npresident of the Recording Musicians Association is another
\nmatter entirely. It is a slap in the face to the very members he\u2019s
\nsupposed to be representing, and a thumbing of his nose to the
\nFederation.<\/p>\n
It can be argued that once a composer makes a certain amount
\nof money they can pick and choose, but most composers want
\nto work, period. Given the choice, most American composers
\nwould work under an AFM contract, but that is not up to them,
\nit up to the production company, and it is also not the work
\nclimate we live in now.<\/p>\n
As the business has become more de-centralized, so too has the
\nscoring.<\/p>\n
A SOLUTION?<\/p>\n
There are two options for this situation
\n1)\tEnforce it, equally and consistently (that includes Seattle,
\nLondon, Prague, etc.) or
\n2)\tRescind the fine threat.<\/p>\n
We all know the dark dates will continue and we\u2019re certainly not
\ngoing to stop the work from going elsewhere. How many members
\nhas our Federation lost through fear of this fine? <\/p>\n
Simply ignoring the problem is pointless.
\nLet\u2019s solve it.<\/p>\n
=================<\/p>\n
II. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LOSES TWO DEAR COLLEAGUES<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve received word of the passing of consummate composer
\nLeonard Rosenman and consummate musician, composer,
\narranger and teacher Ron Gorow.<\/p>\n
———–<\/p>\n
LEONARD ROSENMAN 1924-2008<\/p>\n
Leonard Rosenman has passed away at the age of 83. He passed
\naway from a heart attack early Tuesday March 4th at the Motion
\nPicture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland
\nHills, CA.<\/p>\n
Among the over 100 films he scored over his career of 53 years
\nin film are: Sylvia, The Wall, Murder in Texas, Making Love,
\nProphesy, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, East of Eden, Rebel
\nWithout A Cause, First Steps, Battle for the Planet of the Apes,
\nFantastic Voyage and a Man Called Horse.<\/p>\n
He won Academy Awards for BARRY LYNDON and BOUND FOR
\nGLORY as well as EMMYS for SYBIL and FRIENDLY FIRE.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife, Judie Gregg Rosenman; three children
\nand four grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned.
\nThe family has suggested donations to the Association for
\nFrontotemporal Dementias (www.ftd-picks.org) or the Motion
\nPicture & Television Country House and Hospital. <\/p>\n
————–<\/p>\n
RON GOROW 1939-2008<\/p>\n
RON GOROW had a varied musical career in Los Angeles for the
\nlast fifty years. From Jazz trumpeter, to takedown artist, to music
\ncopyright clearance specialist, to Arranger for the Carpenters
\nthroughout their career, as well as composing for television and
\nfilm. In all these areas he always strove for and achieved the
\nhighest standards.<\/p>\n
Most recently he published his grand opus, \u201cHearing and Writing
\nMusic: Professional Training for Today\u2019s Musician\u201d which is now
\nin it\u2019s second printing.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kerr, as well as a son, a daughter,
\nthree stepdaughters and eleven grandchildren.<\/p>\n
He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and cherished
\nhim.<\/p>\n
====================<\/p>\n
III. EVENTS\/CONCERTS\/INFO<\/p>\n
\u2022SUNDAY 3\/9\/08\u2022<\/p>\n
From Billy Mitchell
\nJONES \u2028COFFEE ROASTERS\u2028\u2028
\n“The place to go for a true coffee experience.”\u2028\u2028
\n Music for your pleasure every Sunday 11 AM to 2 PM\u2028\u2028
\nMarch 9th will feature
\nBilly Mitchell-keys
\nYu Ooka-guitar
\nRobert Russell-bass\u2028\u2028
\n537 S. Raymond Ave.
\nPasadena 91105 \u2028(2 doors North of California Ave. – on West side
\nof street)
\n\u2028For more info about Jones’ services: 626-564-9291<\/p>\n
————–<\/p>\n
\u2022FRIDAY 3\/14\/08\u2022<\/p>\n
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MUSIC ARRANGERS AND COMPOSERS
\nIs presenting their annual <\/p>\n
GOLDEN SCORE AWARDS
\n this Friday Friday, March 14th
\n6PM at the Universal Sheraton Hotel
\n33 Universal Hollywood Drive
\nUniversal City, California 91608<\/p>\n
This year ASMAC will be honoring:
\nAlan Silvestri – Golden Score Award Composing
\nBill Holman – Golden Score Award Arranging
\nDiane Warren – President\u2019s Award<\/p>\n
SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE:
\nMichael Bolton \u2022 John Clayton
\nJohnny Mandel \u2022 Mort Sahl
\nThe Bill Holman Band \u2022 and a few surprises<\/p>\n
Ticket Prices are: $150 members\/$300 non members<\/p>\n
6:00pm \u2022 Cocktails & silent auction
\n7:30pm \u2022 Dinner, Tributes, Entertainment<\/p>\n
Black Tie (optional) \u2022 RSVP by March 11, 2008
\nFor information, please call 818\/994-4661<\/p>\n
————–<\/p>\n
\u2022SATURDAY 3\/15\/08\u2022<\/p>\n
Announcing a new opportunity to improve your conducting ability:
\nCourse ID: FMI-LA-803
\nCourse Title:
\nConducting Film Music Recording Sessions (March 15, 2008)
\n10:00am – 6:00pm
\nThe Musicians Institute, 6752 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
\nInstructor: Ron Hess, Film Music Weekly’s regular columnist as
\n“The Chart Doctor”<\/p>\n
Info and Registration: http:\/\/www.gmocorp.com\/fmi-conducting<\/p>\n
Course Description:
\nConductor, orchestrator, and author Ron Hess teaches all the basic
\nand not-so-basic conducting skills (both physical and psychological)
\nthat you will need in order to take control of your scoring session
\nand competently lead ensembles ranging from small groups to
\nlarge orchestras. <\/p>\n
Topics covered will include workable beat patterns and cuing
\nwithin them, developing left\/right arm independence, how to say
\nwith gestures what wastes time to say with words, ways you can
\ncontrol your ensemble (and not vice-versa!), sight conducting,
\npodium psychology and session strategy.<\/p>\n
The day will include participants conducting a live pianist,
\naccurately reflecting the conductor’s gestures for maximum
\neducational experience. <\/p>\n
This seminar may not make you a phenomenal conductor, but it
\ncertainly will make you a more effective one.<\/p>\n
Info and Registration: http:\/\/www.gmocorp.com\/fmi-conducting<\/p>\n
————–<\/p>\n
\u2022SATURDAY 3\/22\/08\u2022<\/p>\n
NACUSA CONCERT<\/p>\n
Local 47 Board member Bonnie Janofsky, Jeaanie Poole, Deon
\nPrice and Adrienne Albert are among the composers to be
\nfeatured at a concert celebrating 75 years of the National
\nAssociation of Composers (NACUSA).<\/p>\n
This concert will be performed by the
\nPALOS VERDES REGIONAL ORCHESTRA
\nOn March 22nd at the
\nTorrance Civic Center\u2019s Armstrong Theater
\n3330 Civic Center Dr N
\nTorrance, CA 90503
\n(310) 781-7150<\/p>\n
There will be a composer\u2019s panel at 6:30 pm with the concert
\nto follow at 7pm.<\/p>\n
For more information contact Jennifer at pvrotickets@live.com
\nThey expect a sellout crowd so contact her very soon.
\nNo tickets will be sold at the box office.<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Mike Vaccaro and Bill Stevens have sent us info about their
\ncompany that features clarinet barrels and bells.<\/p>\n
www.VaccaroandStevensWoodwinds.Com
\n
\nwww.MandMMouthpieces.Com
\n
Mike Vaccaro
\nwww.MikeVaccaro.Com
\n562.424.4958 Phone
\n562.424.2512 Fax<\/p>\n
========================<\/p>\n
IV. TRIVIA
\nINSTRUCTIONS FOR STOCKHAUSEN\u2019S \u2018GOLDSTAUB\u2019
\n(FROM AUS DEM SIEBEN TAGEN 1968<\/p>\n
Live completely alone for four days, without food, in complete
\nsilence without much movement. Sleep as little as necessary.
\nThink as little as possible. After four days, late at night, play
\nSingle sounds using only your intuition. Close your eyes,
\njust listen.<\/p>\n
========================<\/p>\n
V. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The comments below represent the uncensored views of the readers
\nand not necessarily those of the COMMITTEE. In the faith that
\nfreedom of expression allows for the birth and ascendancey of the
\nmost beneficial ideas, all sentiments expressed are welcome, subject
\nto the bounds of good taste and decorum. If you disagree with an
\nopinion expressed by any contributor, we encourage you to rebut it here.<\/p>\n
————–<\/p>\n
Committee: <\/p>\n
Thank you again for a very informative email. I’m not
\nat all surprised to hear about RMALA’s latest “bovine
\nfeces”. My question would be since there’s so much
\nrancor and unfairness in 47’s current state of
\naffairs, why hasn’t some sort of State\/Federal
\nInvestigation of our big mess been called for?
\nComplaints are good, but it seems unless some drastic
\naction is taken very soon nothing’s going to change.
\nOops, my bad! 47’s situation WILL change, for the
\n(even) worse! <\/p>\n
As far as the Referral site is concerned, that horse
\nmay have left the barn already. There are now several
\nsites that have posted ads on Craig’s List
\n(drummerhunter.com, basshunter.com, etc.) where any
\nmusician can EASILY AND QUICKLY add a profile and
\nupload music .jpegs and video files. I wasn’t able to
\nattend the meeting, but I did email them saying the
\nissue isn’t the “expandability” of the Referral site,
\nits the BASIC DESIGN of the site that’s very old and
\nsorely lacking. And, unless there are plans to at
\nleast post links to the site regularly on places like
\nCraig’s List and videos of 47 members on YouTube, it
\nwon’t do any good any way. <\/p>\n
I will say, however, the free Orchestration Class is
\n“off the chain”!! Dr. Ludwin is an excellent
\ninstructor, and we’re receiving real-world information
\nas well as the standard course material\/lessons. <\/p>\n
Things like this class give me reason to hope that 47
\nmay still have a chance. There are many, many feet
\nthat need to be swiftly placed on far too many
\nbacksides but it can be done. <\/p>\n
(BTW 802 is on the skids as well!!!??? Daag, that’s so
\nsad.) <\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
I would like to bring attention to the fact that the leadership
\nand the only contractor for the RMALA aka PMG has caused
\nmore damage to recording work in LA than any Beck Objector
\ncould. I predict the RMALA leadership will eventually withdraw
\nits support from the union and AF of M, and officially form the
\nPMG and take as many members from the union as they can.
\nThe PMG is an idea far worse than the legal status of financial
\ncore. Hal Espinosa is a lame president who doesn’t have an original
\nidea to offer (at least not an honest one). The musicians who walked
\nout of the Simpsons session, and got the gig sent to SF are a bunch
\nof idiots. The fact that Phil Ayling, who clandestinely visited New
\nYork so he could try to ransack the office of the President of the
\nAF of M proves the insincerity of the RMALA\/PMG leadership and
\ntheir true motives. <\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
THE STRANGLEHOLD CONTINUES <\/p>\n
RMALA Elite stranglehold on the recording industry is not much of a
\nsecret but in case you do not know the process here it is again in
\nthe nutshell. <\/p>\n
Composers that want to strike it rich most likely have to sign with
\nGORFAINE\/SCHWARTZ film composer agency…they are the biggest and so
\nit goes. When you get a movie repped by them, you are told from the
\nagency that you should use Sandy DeCrescent for contracting – (now
\nPeter Rotter), Joanne Kane for copying, etc – the monopoly continues. <\/p>\n
another example – If you get a job working for Hans Zimmer and you
\neventually get a score, you are told by Hans how to work – period.
\nYou use the same team mentioned above. <\/p>\n
The fact that the elite recording players are part of a named studio
\norchestra – THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIO SYMPHONY – gives the illusion that
\nthere is only one recording orchestra in LA and there is only one
\ncontracting team able to provide great players….the monopoly continues. <\/p>\n
All this is so the rich get richer and everyone under them complains.
\nSAD state of affairs. <\/p>\n
DENIAL is not a river in Egypt – it is what every top session player
\nis in – they are barely hanging by a thread and they know it.<\/p>\n
——————-<\/p>\n
here is the latest and greatest – if you think recording is healthy
\nand holding its own and nothing should be changed do not read on. If
\nyou are worried read below and get real AND WAKE UP. Start making a
\ndifference in your future and start complaining to people that can
\nmake a change. Complaining to Hal Espinosa at local 47 isn’t going to
\nchange anything. You have to complain to the AFM itself. And the
\nRMALA is certainly not open to any change at all so……Complaining to
\nyour colleague players is not going to change anything either. <\/p>\n
presoffice@afm.org – President Tom Lee <\/p>\n
sam@afm.org – sec\/treas – Sam Folio <\/p>\n
these are the two you should complain to <\/p>\n
and here is the AFM board you should complain to <\/p>\n
billy@afm257.org ————————<\/p>\n ——————-<\/p>\n It is very obvious that the RMALA elite is very scared and concerned that Last one to leave turn out the lights. <\/p>\n ——————-<\/p>\n Can you get me a gig? <\/p>\n ——————-<\/p>\n The time is perfect for making a reversal in the outsourcing of recording jobs The biggest thorn in LA’s side is Seattle – at roughly 66 per hr (and the The weakness of the dollar is a PERFECT reason to become attractive to A TIMELY, great argument for staying in LA to record is the loss of money We should apply the basic business principals to our current situation ===================<\/p>\n Colleagues,<\/p>\n The next Local 47 General Membership meeting will take place on THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I. HYPOCRISY IN LONDON II. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LOSES TWO DEAR COLLEAGUES III. EVENTS AND INFORMATION IV. TRIVIA V. COMMENTS ================ I. HYPOCRISY IN LONDON Colleagues, We recently received this email from quite a distinguished colleague in our business and we would like to answer it here. ——- Committee, Can you verify this for me? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-committee-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nrhair@afm.org
\nlocal77@afm.org
\nlocal65-699@afm.org
\nhbradley@afm.or
\nbskolnik@afm.org
\ntheir little perfect world of controlling all the recording in LA and in the USA
\nis in peril. They should be concerned because the numbers of players NOT
\nworking with them is FAR outweighing them and anarchy is ever present.
\nDon’t know if the New Era, fi core guys are working, but they have gone
\nunderground and are not looking for publicity anymore…..which is even
\nmore dangerous now. If the AFM doesn’t do right for the RMALA elite,
\nthey’ll have to defect to do their PMG and they’ll be in the same batch as
\nthe Fi core guys – hilarious. <\/p>\n
\nto places other than LA.<\/p>\n
\nother fees of recording) with NO backend….they are our biggest competitors.
\nThere is no argument for getting the players up there to “see the light” of
\nwhat they are giving up as far as resid’s and new uses. They don’t care one
\nbit. They are working so much – money is all that matters. LA could hit them
\nright hard if we decided to play ball with the producers that go up there for the
\nobvious reasons.<\/p>\n
\nproducers once again. If you go to London, you lose half of your money \u2013
\nnot looking good for London players at the moment. Our cheapest and
\nbusiest competitor is Prague and they are sounding good with all the damn
\nsessions we have been sending them. If you go to Prague – you lose about
\na third of your money or more right now. <\/p>\n
\nin the exchange rates………but once again….the bottom line is the AFM’s
\nand RMALA’s inability to sway the bean counters to look at the potential
\npayments after the project is recorded and convince them it is small, a part
\nof the profit sharing principal and a necessary expense for them. Options
\nabound for NOT recording here…and it is easy to find players to record a
\nscore anywhere now….a veritable buyers market for recording sessions
\nyou might say.<\/p>\n
\nlike any other business’s would and get all competent members back to
\nwork again. The AFM was founded for working conditions for all
\nmembers…..not just a select group of players.<\/p>\n
\nApril 28th, 2008. Please plan to be there! Who knows what attack
\non the rank and file they will have planned.<\/p>\n