Category Archives: Features

SOLIDARITY WINS: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night

Photo: Office of Rep. Laura Friedman // On September 22, U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30; pictured above, at podium) led local members of Congress, union leaders (including AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe, pictured second from left above), and Industry workers at a rally in her district outside the Kimmel studios in Hollywood to defend free speech, the Constitution, and the First Amendment.

Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night After Massive Outcry Over Free Speech Concerns Causes ABC to Lift ‘Indefinite Suspension’

In the wake of ABC’s sudden “indefinite suspension” (and later reversal) of late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which sparked outrage across the nation about threats to the First Amendment and free speech, Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) organized a press conference and rally September 22 near Kimmel’s taping location of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Continue reading →

2025 Burbank Media Industry Expo & Job Fair

AFM Local 47 proudly participated for the second time at the Burbank Media Industry Expo & Job Fair at Woodbury University on August 1.

Sponsored by the City of Burbank, this year’s 2nd-annual event event welcomed over 5,000 attendees ranging from students and newcomers to seasoned industry professionals, fostering valuable conversations and connections across the media landscape.

Pictured: AFM Local 47 EMD Business Representative Russell Winkler and Communications Director Linda Rapka.

Musicians Rally in Support of Stephen Colbert

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, dozens of members of AFM Local 47 and WGA West joined the 50501-hosted rally outside CBS headquarters at Television City in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles to support Stephen Colbert following the cancellation of his show. The bi-coastal event saw a similar action take place in New York on the same day. Continue reading →

Photo Gallery: 3rd Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival

Jazz icon John Clayton — pictured above with AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe — kicked off our 3rd Annual Jazz Festival, which honored Live Members, with a moving speech. Listen to it here:

Continue reading →

MI Career & Industry Fair 2025

On May 29, AFM Local 47 was thrilled to exhibit for the second year in a row at the Musicians Institute Career & Industry Fair. The event brought out MI students and alumni, allowing them to meet and network with industry representatives.

Business Representative Russell Winkler and Communications Director Linda Rapka spent the sunny afternoon in Hollywood speaking with a steady stream of inquisitive music students about what they can expect after working their first AFM job and about the myriad benefits of union membership.

Musicians and Animators Join Together to Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’

Members of AFM Local 47 and The Animation Guild (TAG) IATSE 839 spent a busy Saturday afternoon volunteering at the Glassell Station post office on May 10 as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ 2025 food drive. Continue reading →

Production Assistants Rally to Unionize with LiUNA

AFM Local 47 musicians rallied in solidarity with Production Assistants on May 4th (aka “Star Wars Day”) in their fight to unionize.

Held at IATSE Local 80 in Burbank, AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe served as a guest speaker. Also in attendance from Local 47 were Vice President Marc Sazer and Secretary/Treasurer Gail Kruvand, Honorary Member Lewis Levy, and Communications Director Linda Rapka. Continue reading →

7th Annual Music Industry Toolbox Presents at AFM Local 47

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and California Copyright Conference (CCC) presented their seventh Music Industry Toolbox at our union hall on April 24, 2025.

Our Captain Greg Welch Gathering Place was bustling with music publishers, record companies, production music libraries/producers, managers, attorneys, and other music industry professionals throughout the five-hour event. Attendees enjoyed panelist presentations, round-table discussions, exhibitors, and raffle prizes.

Congratulations to AIMP and CCC on a successful event! Continue reading →

MPTF Performances Delight L.A. Audiences Throughout Jazz Appreciation Month

April was a busy month for AFM Local 47 live musicians, who perfromed dozens of concerts co-sponsored by the Music Performance Trust Fund.

Brad Rabuchin’s Hidden Agenda
Leader: Brad Rabuchin – 7 musicians
April 3, 2025 @ Alexander Hamilton High Continue reading →

AFM Represents at the Entertainment Industry Foundation Careers in Entertainment Expo

Photo by Noah Murty // AFM Local 47 Live Performance Business Representative Amber O’Donnell and Communications Director Linda Rapka spent a fun afternoon in Exposition Park on April 25 chatting with high school and college students pursuing careers in music and entertainment.

AFM Local 47 was thrilled to exhibit with dozens of fellow unions, guilds and organizations at the Entertainment Industry Foundation Careers in Entertainment Expo on April 25. Continue reading →