Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti — recently named Honorary Member of Local 47 — shows his support of  Listen Up! pictured above with rank-and-file Listen Up! campaign members Elizabeth Hedman, Marc Sazer, Phil Ayling, Doug Tornquist, Rafael Rishik, and Neil Samples. Photo by Kori Chappell

L.A. city leader joins with AFM in calling on film production companies to end practice of offshoring film scoring jobs; AFM Local 47 reaffirms support of campaign

by Linda A. Rapka

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced in June his support for the American Federation of Musicians’ Listen Up! campaign, which calls upon film production companies that benefit from taxpayer-funded film credits to score their films in the United States.

“I’m fighting for good paying middle-class jobs across California, and our work to pass legislation — which will boost production and music scoring — must be with that goal in mind,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Halting the bleed of film and television production jobs out of California has been a top priority for Mayor Garcetti. Alongside the musicians union and other entertainment guilds, Garcetti has taken a leading role in advocating for the passage of AB 1839, the bill that would enhance the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program and provide a bump in the incentive for film soundtrack scoring in California.

AFM Local 47 hosted a ceremony at the April 28 General Membership Meeting naming Garcetti an Honorary Member of the musicians union in appreciation of his efforts to stem runaway production from Hollywood and for his support of Los Angeles musicians.

“Being an accomplished pianist and composer himself, Mayor Garcetti truly understands the issues and concerns of professional musicians,” said Andy Malloy, RMALA President and campaign supporter. “We commend him for standing with us in our efforts to stop the offshoring of film scoring work and keep music jobs in the United States.”

On June 24, the Executive Board of AFM Local 47 passed a resolution reaffirming its support and commitment to the AFM’s Listen Up! campaign. In a unanimous vote it resolved to communicate this support and participation to its members urging that they also endorse this campaign.

For more information about Listen Up! and to get involved, visit listenupnow.org.