Category Archives: All News

Streaming is the Future – What are we doing about it?

Negotiations between the AFM and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) begin on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. We’re taking on the most important aspect of the future of the recording industry: new media and streaming services.

Musicians working in all areas of the business are encouraged to attend these important contract negotiations that will affect all of us. Watch the video message from the AFM Local 47 Executive Board, and sign up below to stay informed on important updates and to RSVP to attend negotiations on March 13:

2019 Member Directory out now!

Copies of the 2019 Local 47 Member Directory are out now!

These books are published annually and made available exclusively to members upon request as a free member benefit.

Pick one up at the union or request a copy by filling out the form below or by calling 323.462.2161.

Super Bowl: Personal Foul

We have a very serious problem in Los Angeles, and there’s a certain project that’s on all our minds: Magic Johnson’s Super Bowl ad.

The music for this commercial was recorded non-union, by CMG. If the gig were union, these musicians would have been paid for the session, the airing of the ad on TV and internet, benefits, and sidelining. If this gig were union the musicians would have earned $933.82. Instead, the musicians were paid a paltry $175 in a buyout deal. Continue reading

Guest Column: My Personal Experience at the Celebration for John Williams

John Williams (left) and Gustavo Dudamel (right) shared the stage during an intimate concert series at Disney Hall in January 2019. [photos by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47]

by Bill Peterson, AFM Local 47 Life Member & President Emeritus

I read the glowing review by Mark Swed of the first night of the Celebration of John Williams in the Times last month, and was moved to have a personal kind of celebration; of knowing John Williams, from our time in Tucson in the 775th Air Force band, through my time as Union VP and President, when I presented both John Williams and Steven Spielberg a commemorative plaque on behalf of Musicians Local 47 at a scoring session of 105 players. The plaques were inscribed with our Local 47 musicians’ thanks for consistently scoring their films here in Hollywood, and thereby using our musicians in the resulting scoring processes. Mr. Spielberg told me at that time that he was genuinely touched by this recognition. Continue reading

Throwback: Beyoncé records national anthem

On Feb. 1, 2004, Beyoncé performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXXVIII. The track was recorded in Los Angeles with a 69-piece AFM Local 47 orchestra contracted by Ernie Fields Jr. with Rickey Minor producing and Randy Waldman arranging.  Continue reading

Kevin Kaska & the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles

Epilogue from Christopher Columbus Suite

Recorded at Sony Pictures, Culver City, California, August of 2018, this piece, composed and conducted by Kevin Kaska, was performed by the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles — all members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. Continue reading

February 2019 Overture Online: Black History Month

Overture Online
February 2019

Black History Month
Exploring music’s role in Black history


Jazz in Schools
LA Jazz Society brings music education to the Southland

#ListenLA Spotlight
Awards Season 2019

AFM Local 47 Membership Drive
Now is the perfect time to join the musicians union of Los Angeles

and more!
 

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Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, issues may be viewed on a web browser here. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.