Category Archives: All News

5th annual Made In Hollywood Honors for Television

Los Angeles musicians celebrated Emmy-nominated TV shows scored here in L.A. at the 5th annual Made In Hollywood Honors for Television. From left: Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley, violinist Elizabeth Hedman, and Recording Musicians Association Los Angeles President Steve Dress. (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

The 5th annual Made In Hollywood Honors for Television event, held Sept. 12 at 1600 VINE, celebrated Emmy-nominated TV shows filmed in Los Angeles and throughout California. Continue reading →

Instrumental Casting Pledges to Not Violate Federal Labor Laws

Company owned by Jennifer Walton required to comply with National Labor Relations Board settlement agreement

In May of 2017, AFM Local 47 filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against Instrumental Casting, LLC, owned by Jennifer Walton, for violations for federal labor laws. In its charge, Local 47 said that she forced musicians to disclose their union membership status and categorically denied employment to musicians who were members of the Union.

Faced with Local 47’s charge and an NLRB investigation, Instrumental Casting signed a settlement agreement with the NLRB that requires Instrumental Casting to post an official NLRB Notice on its website and at its office stating that musicians are free to advocate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, and to join or form unions, and that Instrumental Casting will refrain from restricting those rights or discriminating against musicians that exercise them. Walton must also email this Notice to musicians to whom she sent casting calls.  Continue reading →

‘Mission: Impossible’ Composer Lalo Schifrin to Celebrate 85th Birthday Concert

Legendary composer, musician, conductor and six-time Oscar nominee Lalo Schifrin (“Mission: Impossible”) will celebrate his 85th birthday with a special concert in his honor Oct. 7 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Continue reading →

‘Keeping the Score in CA’ Rally Highlights Good Jobs for Musicians Via Tax Credit Legislation

“Keeping the Score in CA” kickoff concert & media event outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Aug. 19, 2017. (Photos: Linda A. Rapka)

“Momentum is strong, and we can’t let up now!” That was the dominant message on Saturday, Aug. 19 at the “Keeping the Score in CA” free concert and rally at city hall where a crowd of 150 gathered to hear music, politicians and union leaders push for the AB 1300, the music scoring tax credit that will help keep good jobs in California.

“When you look at the overall state budget, the value of retaining these jobs here is of significant state interest,” Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-57th), told the crowd who gathered to hear performances by musicians including Rickey Minor (bandleader for the 69th Annual Emmy Awards whose credits also include “The Tonight Show” and “American Idol”) and Siddhartha Khosla (composer for NBC’s “This Is Us”).

Related: Variety – Musicians Union Members Stage Free Concert to Bring Scoring Jobs Back to L.A. Continue reading →

Solar Eclipse Captures Nation’s Heart

L.A. musicians travel to ‘totality zone’ to experience full force of our nation’s first total eclipse in nearly 100 years

Marcy Vaj and Pam Gates

North America experienced its first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years on Aug. 21, 2017. Its trajectory crossed the nation from the Pacific to the Atlantic, closely mirroring that of one in June 8, 1918, the last time North America experienced an eclipse in totality. Continue reading →

Max the Trax: Musicians Turn Up Volume on Scoring Tax Credit

California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon addresses the crowd at the AFM “Keeping the Score in California,” with (from left) RMA’s Marc Sazer, RMALA’s Steve Dress, AFM Local 47’s John Acosta, LA County Federation of Labor’s Rusty Hicks, and Local UNITE HERE Local 11’s Jordan Fein. (Photo: Paula Parisi / MaxTheTrax)

– Published by Max The Trax, Aug. 28, 2017

With three top California assemblyman singing their tune at the American Federation of Musicians’ “Keeping the Score in California” event, it appears as if the tax incentive designed to keep recording work in the state is destined for passage. “I don’t see it as a question of if it’s going to happen, I see it as a question of when it’s going to happen,” said Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, who in April introduced the measure, AB 1300. Continue reading →

Orchestration II with Dr. Norman Ludwin

Saturdays, Sept. 30 – Nov. 18, 10am-1pm

@ AFM Local 47, 3220 Winona Ave. Burbank CA 91504

FREE class exclusively to AFM Local 47 members.
Space is limited! 

Dr. Ludwin provides access to online resources with an interactive website that includes essential class materials, scores and listening samples. Even if you have limited or no experience in orchestration, Ludwin strongly encourages you to attend to learn this important craft that can boost your career.

Students will continue the study of orchestration and elements of texture and form by looking at contemporary concert music, analysis of different composers’ methods of orchestration, and extensive study of film music. Using classic scores and scores he himself has recently worked on, Ludwin will instruct on cues and selections from Michael Giacchino, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Thomas Newman, among others. The ending course project is a recording of the students’ original compositions by the Symphony 47 orchestra.

You must be an AFM Local 47 member in good standing to attend this free course.

World-Acclaimed Cellist Lynn Harrell Stars in New Film ‘Cello’

Free screenings in September for Local 47 members

Hannoah Entertainment announces a free film screening of “Cello” for members of Local 47. The new 17-minute short dramatic film about one man’s battle with ALS and the choices he faces, stars renowned soloist and cellist Lynn Harrell in his acting debut. Continue reading →

Calls needed to Keep the Score in CA!

Photo: Linda A. Rapka

Thank you!

Musicians, labor allies and community leaders came together last Saturday at our “Keeping the Score in CA” kickoff concert. Thanks to Rickey Minor, Siddhartha Khosla, and all of our esteemed Assemblymembers and guest speakers for showing our local legislators, and AB 1300 author Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, that music scoring tax credits are a key issue to our community. View the photo gallery and media coverage on the event.

Now let’s thank our Assemblymembers.

Call Majority Leader Ian Calderon and Assemblymembers Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Jim Cooper to thank them for being champions only for our event, but for our entire industry. Continue reading →