Category Archives: Features

Leveling the Score: Alliance for Women Film Composers celebrates & advocates for female artists

AWFC collage

by Linda A. Rapka

Composer Laura Karpman never envisioned she would be participating in an organization like the Alliance for Women Film Composers, let alone serving as its president.

“I had hoped that my career, plus the careers of a few of my contemporaries and those who have come before us, would create myriad opportunities, equal opportunities for everyone,” Karpman said.

However, a need was seen to level the score for women in the current composing climate, and last September the Alliance for Women Film Composers came to life. The brainchild of AFM Local 47 members Karpman and Lolita Ritmanis and former member Miriam Cutler, the AWFC aims to increase the visibility of women composers active in media scoring through advocacy, support and education initiatives. Continue reading →

Recording Academy Announces Rule Amendments and Dates for 59th Annual Grammy Awards Process

grammys-ratings-2016 The Recording Academy® has completed its annual awards review and established new amendments and key dates guiding the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards® process. Among other changes, the updates allow previously ineligible streaming-only works into the process and limit the number of categories in which members may vote. The new guidelines go into effect immediately in the current-year awards cycle.

“The GRAMMYs® aren’t just peer-awarded, they’re peer-driven. Throughout the year, members of the music community come to us asking to make changes to the Awards process, and we work with them to figure out how those changes might work,” said Bill Freimuth, Senior Vice President of Awards for The Recording Academy. “I’m proud of this year’s changes because they’re a testament to the artists, producers, and writers – the people who rolled up their sleeves to shape the proposals and, in turn, the future of the GRAMMYs. It’s exactly what they should be doing. It’s their award.”

Key Dates

Eligibility Period: Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016
Nominations Date: Dec. 6, 2016
Awards Date: Feb. 12, 2017 Continue reading →

Calendar Politics, or What to do When Asked to ‘Hold That Date!’

by EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson

On stand-by calls, or the dreaded “avail” call, Section I (“General Conditions”), Paragraph 1 (“Stand-by Calls”) of both the AFM Basic Television and Theatrical Agreements state, unequivocally: “There shall be no stand-by calls.”

Similarly, Exhibit A (“Minimum Wages and Other Working Conditions”), Section I (“Instrumentalists, Leaders, Contractors”), Paragraph F (“Advance Notice of Sessions and Contract Info”) of the AFM Sound Recording Labor Agreement also states in pertinent part: “Stand-by calls shall be prohibited.” Continue reading →

Composer John Williams Receives AFI Life Achievement Award

For the first time in AFI history, America’s highest honor for a career in film was bestowed upon a composer when John Williams received the Life Achievement Award.

“John Williams has written the soundtrack to our lives,” said Sir Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “Note by note, through chord and chorus, his genius for marrying music with movies has elevated the art form to symphonic levels and inspired generations of audiences to be enriched by the magic of the movies. AFI is proud to present him with its 44th Life Achievement Award.”

AFM Local 47 President John Acosta and composer John Williams. (Photos: Eleonora Ghioldi)

Williams’ storied career as the composer behind many of the greatest American films and television series of all time boasts over 150 credits across seven decades. Perhaps best known for his enduring collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, his scores are among the most iconic and recognizable in film history, from the edge-of-your-seat “Jaws” (1975) motif to the emotional swell of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and the haunting elegies of “Schindler’s List” (1993). Always epic in scale, his music has helped define over half a century of the motion picture medium. With five Academy Award wins and 49 nominations in total, Williams holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any living person.

Williams was honored at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on June 9. The televised special, “AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to John Williams,” aired on TNT June 15, followed by an encore presentation on sister network Turner Classic Movies Sept. 12 during a night of programming dedicated to Williams.

Recap: ASMAC First WEDNESDAYS features Jack Smalley and Perry Botkin Jr.

The ASMAC ‘FIRST WEDNESDAYS’ event June 1 featured Jack Smalley and Perry Botkin. (Photos courtesy of Milton Nelson.)

Don Peake

Perry Botkin

Jack and Perry were super! A packed house and lots of great stuff starting with a great intro from legendary composer-guitarist Don Peake.

The evening included stories about Jack’s early years in Europe and days writing music for TV through toolbox stuffings for those who were lucky enough to attend.

Scott Smalley

The evening was topped off with a surprise visit by Jack Smalley’s son, noted arranger Scott Smalley, who took some turns asking his dad questions and showing a lot of love and respect for his awesome dad. The event also included four amazing film cues of Jack’s with the scores to review proceeded by Jack’s in depth explanation of techniques used to compose them. A great time for everyone!

– Larry Goldman

ASMAC ‘FIRST WEDNESDAYS’ May workshop highlights women composers

Marlene Hajdu, Elise Michelle, and Carolyn Yarnell addressing the audience at the ASMAC FIRST WEDNESDAYS workshop highlighting women composers on May 4. (Photos courtesy Marlene Hajdu)

by Alison Freebairn-Smith

The ASMAC First Wednesdays event on May 4, “Celebrating Women Composers,” did just that. We moved through the evening listening to music from animation to orchestral music from Carnegie Hall to bebop re-imagined. Continue reading →

Beyoncé’s LEMONADE makes sweet splash

Lemonade, the sixth studio album released by Beyoncé, dropped April 23 and made quite a sweet splash, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard chart with 485,000 album sales and 115 million streams following its premiere on HBO. Continue reading →

Solidarity Forever! AFM Local 47 in the labor movement

AFM Local 47 Overture archives

This Labor History Month we celebrate our connection to the greater labor movement

by Linda A. Rapka

From working together in unity with fellow labor unions, to rallying in solidarity with our sisters and brothers on picket lines and protests, AFM Local 47 has a long and rich history among and within the labor movement. To commemorate Labor History Month, we reflect on these ties by taking a journey back more than 70 years to the 1940s, when the Los Angeles musicians union was involved in a flurry of labor activity. Continue reading →

Workers Memorial Day

2016+WMDposterFinal On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year we will come together to call for work in this country that is safe and healthy and pays fair wages.

We will celebrate the victories won by working people and commit to fighting until all workers have safe jobs and the freedom to form unions without the threat of retaliation. Continue reading →

Make Labor Media Matter by May Day

labor_radio_web_graphic

Let’s bring the nation’s Labor Beat back!

A message from Workers Independent News:

For decades, the “labor beat” has been steadily disappearing from mainstream media sources. A systematic, and some would argue, intentional reduction in the perceived importance of the working class has created an environment of dismissal and even disdain for workers, as they are blamed repeatedly for America’s fiscal woes. Continue reading →