President John Acosta Elected to IEB

The new AFM International Executive Board members - including our own President John Acosta - being sworn in at the 100th Convention. (Photo: Bonnie Janofsky)

The new AFM International Executive Board members – including our own President John Acosta – being sworn in at the 100th Convention. (Photo: Bonnie Janofsky)

Exciting news to share from the American Federation of Musicians 100th Convention: Our own Local 47 President John Acosta has been elected to serve on the International Executive Board.

Running on the Team Unity slate, as a member of the IEB Acosta will act as a conduit to bring the concerns of our Los Angeles music community directly to our international leadership. Continue reading →

Calendar Politics, or What to do When Asked to ‘Hold That Date!’

hold that date -NO

by EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson

On stand-by calls, or the dreaded “avail” call, Section I (“General Conditions”), Paragraph 1 (“Stand-by Calls”) of both the AFM Basic Television and Theatrical Agreements state, unequivocally: “There shall be no stand-by calls.”

Similarly, Exhibit A (“Minimum Wages and Other Working Conditions”), Section I (“Instrumentalists, Leaders, Contractors”), Paragraph F (“Advance Notice of Sessions and Contract Info”) of the AFM Sound Recording Labor Agreement also states in pertinent part: “Stand-by calls shall be prohibited.” Continue reading →

Composer John Williams Receives AFI Life Achievement Award

For the first time in AFI history, America’s highest honor for a career in film was bestowed upon a composer when John Williams received the Life Achievement Award.

“John Williams has written the soundtrack to our lives,” said Sir Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “Note by note, through chord and chorus, his genius for marrying music with movies has elevated the art form to symphonic levels and inspired generations of audiences to be enriched by the magic of the movies. AFI is proud to present him with its 44th Life Achievement Award.”

AFM Local 47 President John Acosta and composer John Williams. (Photos: Eleonora Ghioldi)

Williams’ storied career as the composer behind many of the greatest American films and television series of all time boasts over 150 credits across seven decades. Perhaps best known for his enduring collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, his scores are among the most iconic and recognizable in film history, from the edge-of-your-seat “Jaws” (1975) motif to the emotional swell of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and the haunting elegies of “Schindler’s List” (1993). Always epic in scale, his music has helped define over half a century of the motion picture medium. With five Academy Award wins and 49 nominations in total, Williams holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any living person.

Williams was honored at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on June 9. The televised special, “AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to John Williams,” aired on TNT June 15, followed by an encore presentation on sister network Turner Classic Movies Sept. 12 during a night of programming dedicated to Williams.

 

 

BlackMusic, BlackWork presents: Jam Session on Justice in the Arts Fundraiser

Jam Session for Justice flyer

BlackMusic, BlackWork is a dynamic history of organizing in the arts that spans the founding of the Black musicians union Local 767 in the 1920s to the contemporary struggles of working musicians who understand the transformative power of art and culture.

Your tax-deductible donation will help us raise our goal of $40,000 in proceeds to be used to present this powerful exhibit on music and labor for Black History Month in February 2017.

Donors at the $5,000 level will receive 2 box seat tickets to the Hollywood Bowl!

FREE ADMISSION. RSVP @ jamsessiononjustice.eventbrite.com

Continue reading →

GOTV! California 2016 Primary Election is Tuesday, June 7

2016-Your-Vote-Your-Voice

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 is the California primary. Let’s Get Out The Vote!

If you vote by mail, please remember to postmark and mail your ballot on or before June 7. It must be received by your county’s elections office no later than June 10, in order to be counted.

If you vote in person on Election Day, locate your polling place here. Bring your ID JUST IN CASE (especially if you registered online).

If you are registered as No Party Preference, because California is a semi-closed primary, you may still vote for presidential nominees by requesting a Crossover Ballot of one of the following parties:

  • American Independent Party
  • Democratic Party
  • Libertarian Party

DO NOT ACCEPT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT – YOU MUST REQUEST A CROSSOVER BALLOT.

If you experience any problems at your polling place, or encounter any interference when attempting to exercise your right to vote, call 1-800-345-VOTE (8683) right away. Continue reading →