AB 1199 passes unanimously through Arts & Entertainment Committee

Sign our online petition to support AB 1199 to  improve the CA Film & TV Tax Credit Program for Musicians!

IsupportAB1199

Sign our online petition to support AB 1199 to  improve the CA Film & TV Tax Credit Program for Musicians!

On April 28, in Sacramento, AB 1199 was heard before the Committee on Arts & Entertainment. Local 47 Vice President Rick Baptist and rank-and-file member Clifford Tasner presented all of your letters of support and testified before the committee in support of the bill. We are pleased to report it passed unanimously!

JOIN US AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON MAY 18

AB 1199 now moves on to its next hearing before the Committee on Tax& Revenue on Monday, May 18. For this hearing, we are coordinating a media event to take in Area 22 (Capital Park, next to pond), complete with a live musical performance. We will meet at the above location at 12:30 p.m. We hope to see as many of our supporters possible there. Please contact our Communications Director at linda.rapka@promusic47.org for further information.

We thank you for your continued support!

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Disneyland Band Audition Notice from Orange County Local 7

If you are auditioning for a position as a musical performer at Disneyland in Anaheim, please see this important message from Orange County Musicians’ Association Local 7:

FROM: Orange County Musicians’ Association, Local 7, AFM
TO: Musicians auditioning for the Disneyland Band
DATE: April 9, 2015
SUBJECT: Disneyland Band Auditions

After 59 years of continuous service, the Disneyland Band was given an “end of run” notice on March 31, 2015 and was told that auditions for a new Disneyland Band would commence April 15; Local 7 was informed the same day. While this does present an opportunity for employment, musicians auditioning for this job need to be aware. Continue reading

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Photos by Linda A. Rapka

Photos by Linda A. Rapka

Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley talks about her three decades with LA’s Boys in Blue

Named by some fans as their “favorite Dodger” of all time, stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley has livened up the ballpark with her signature playing since 1988.

Though the last few years have seen her playtime steadily dwindle, public outcry has been strong enough to see her contract renew for the next baseball season.

And she couldn’t be happier. Continue reading

April 2015 Overture Online: LA Philharmonic

April 2015 Overture Online
Overture Online: April 2015

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW – Read the Overture Online on your smartphone or tablet available from the App Store or Google Play.

itunes    google play

While Overture Online is optimized for reading via the app versions, readers may also access the new issue on your web browser (must have flash enabled).

Continue reading

A message from President Acosta on film/TV tax credits

A Message from AFM Local 47
Dear Local 47 Members:

For those Local 47 members unfamiliar with him, Richard Kraft is an agent who represents composers. He believes film/TV tax credits don’t work for musicians, and has in fact supported and promoted a slick campaign, complete with a big-money, Fox-News style video, against them. The thrust of his campaign is that we musicians should not try to seek jobs, or follow the lead of actors, writers, engineers, electricians, directors, grips and others in legislating tax credits to support our employment. This is a response to some of his many misinformed statements. Continue reading

Film & TV Tax Credits FAQ: What they are and what they mean for CA musicians

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Sign our petition to support AB 1199 and make continued improvements
to CA’s Film/TV Tax Credit Program for musicians!

What are film/TV tax credits?
Movie and television production incentives are tax benefits offered by various regions in the U.S. and abroad to encourage film/TV production in that region. These incentives came about in the U.S. in the 1990s in response to the flight of movie productions to countries such as Canada. Today they are offered around the world, including several states in the U.S. such as California, New York, Louisiana, New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia and Ohio; and abroad including Canada, Australia, and the U.K. Continue reading

Remembering Candi

candi portraitIn December 2014, Local 47 lost one of the most loyal, hard-working, and sweet employees we’ve ever known.

Longtime computer systems administrator Candi Busapavanij passed away peacefully at her home during the night of Dec. 16, 2014. Her sudden loss was a sudden shock to us all, as she had been responding well to cancer treatment and planning to return to the Local in the spring. Just a few days before, friends described her as feeling happy, active and energetic. Continue reading

Final Note: Gabriel Sampson Williams Sr.

Gabriel WilliamsLife Member. Drums
5/16/1912 – 2/20/2015

by the Williams family

Gabriel Williams was the youngest of four children born to Benjamin and Mamie Williams (siblings: Edina, Faye, and Benjamin Jr.). This date, May 16, 1912 was earmarked as a “great event” in the Williams’ household. He was a warm and considerate child, and grew into a kind, hardworking adult. Continue reading