Category Archives: Features

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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View and share our newest “Guaranteed Healthcare Rocks” video!

Share our new “Schoolhouse Rock!” inspired video that illustrates how we can do “Better Than Before” when it comes to covering everybody!

Today we join with the California Nurses Association to launch the second in a series of “Schoolhouse Rock!” inspired music videos created by Los Angeles musician Clifford Tasner in support of the Healthy California Act- SB 562, which establishes a Medicare-for-all type healthcare system in California. Continue reading →

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TMA SoCal: A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish

by Paul Castillo, President
Theater Musicians Association, SoCal

Whenever musical theater musicians meet the discussion of audience awareness inevitably comes up. Many audience members just are not aware that live orchestras are being used for musical theater. It’s an ongoing problem and discussions often end with “What can we do about it?” To fix any problem, it is necessary to follow a plan of action. The title of this article is a quote often attributed to the 20th century writer and journalist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and accurately describes what often happens without a plan. So, here’s the plan:

1. Requirement to list musicians in the program: This should be a requirement in the contract or collective bargaining agreement for the production. This is usually quite specific. Example: “The names of the musicians in the orchestra shall be published in the program for the production on the page immediately following the listing of the cast members.” Continue reading →

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No Turning Back: LAANE honors female leaders at annual women’s luncheon

Representatives from AFM Local 47 and the Recording Musicians Association wore white in honor of the suffragist movement at the LAANE “No Turning Back” luncheon. From left: Organizing Coordinator Jefferson Kemper, President John Acosta, RMALA President Steve Dress, Communications Director Linda Rapka, RMALA 2nd Vice President Elizabeth Hedman, RMA International President Marc Sazer, Local 47 & RMALA Director Bill Reichenbach. (Not pictured: Local 47 Director Pam Gates.)

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy honored SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Chief of Staff, Ana Guerrero, at the annual Women for a New Los Angeles luncheon on May 12, 2017. Continue reading →

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