Our offices will be closing at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, and we will be closed all day Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.
Enjoy a wonderful and safe holiday!
#listenLA spotlight: Interview with ‘House of Cards’ composer Jeff Beal
On the heals of two new Emmy nominations for his music for “House of Cards,” Jeff Beal talks about composing for the hit Los Angeles-scored series
Beautifully underscoring the dramatic intrigue of Netflix series “House of Cards,” Jeff Beal’s darkly atmospheric score just garnered two more Emmy nominations. This marks the composer’s third Emmy nod for the show, and 13th altogether.
To date, Beal has won three times, including for the 2007 TNT miniseries “Nightmares & Dreamscapes” and USA Network’s detective series “Monk” in 2003, which were also scored here with our wonderful Los Angeles musicians.
Recorded at his home studio, music for “House of Cards” features more than a dozen of L.A.’s premiere string musicians. Beal spoke with Linda A. Rapka from his home studio about composing for the hit series.
Congratulations on your recent Emmy nominations for “House of Cards”! For both seasons, you’ve recorded in your home studio with Los Angeles musicians.
“They’re fantastic. I have a room in my studio where I do a lot of live recording. With the tight schedules and turnaround times these days being what they are, I love being able to call on the best players in the world and have them available at the drop of a hat. It’s a luxury to work with them. They know the kind of stuff I write, and over the years we have developed a shorthand with each other. It’s nice not having to over-explain to musicians your approach to making music; here a lot of that is sort of a given.”
Listen Up! Campaign Gains International Support
At an advance screening for Lionsgate-released film “Step Up All In,” Hong Kong campaign supporters distributed leaflets to moviegoers in both English and Cantonese that described how the company is offshoring music jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime by accepting millions in tax subsidies. Photos & images: Courtesy Listen Up!
Activist and labor groups in Hong Kong show support for American musicians calling for Lionsgate to stop offshoring film scoring jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime
Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) and several other Chinese activist groups have announced support of the American Federation of Musician’s Listen Up! campaign calling to end offshoring film scoring jobs.
At an advance screening for “Step Up All In,” the fifth release in the motion picture franchise, Hong Kong campaign supporters distributed leaflets to moviegoers in both English and Cantonese that described how Lionsgate Entertainment is offshoring music jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime by accepting millions in tax subsidies. Continue reading
Keeping the ‘Hollywood Brass Sound’ Alive
Vince DeRosa tribute album pays homage to the local living legend
words by Linda A. Rapka
photos by Bonnie Perkinson
In homage to one of the greatest brass players of the Hollywood Brass Golden Era, “Hollywood Epic Brass: The Vince DeRosa Tribute Album,” an album conceived by Kevin Kaska, debuts this month.
It was from listening recently to a massive number of film scores on which DeRosa played that Kaska hatched the idea for a tribute album. “I wanted to pay tribute to one of the world’s greatest brass players still alive,” Kaska said. “Many Los Angeles brass players have him to thank for the techniques he has taught.” Continue reading
Roy’s Run for Christopher
Onlookers at the Burbank Tennis Center cheer on Roy Wiegand during his July 4th Run For Christopher, during which the trumpeter and ultra-marathon runner ran 86 miles to benefit families and children suffering from cancer. All photos courtesy Roy Wiegand
Trumpeter and ultra-marathon runner Roy Wiegand runs 86 miles to benefit families and children suffering from cancer
by Linda A. Rapka
Christopher Wilke, the inspiration behind Roy’s Run for Christopher.
Fourth of July weekend to most of us means lazing around with family, friends and BBQ. But for Roy Wiegand, the holiday weekend was spent running 86 miles in the blistering summer sun in memory of a young cancer victim.
In honor of Christopher Wilke, a 12-year-old boy who died of cancer in March, the trumpeter and ultra-marathon runner ran his Run for Christopher all the way from Angels Stadium in Anaheim to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation in Santa Clarita, all to raise funds to benefit the families of children with cancer as well as the children themselves, in addition to child-cancer research. Continue reading
Notice to Self-Pay Medical Plan enrollees: Kaiser rates to increase Oct. 1
Please be aware that effective Oct. 1, 2014, Kaiser self-pay medical plan rates will increase. Enrollees will be soon be receiving a notice in the mail about this increase from French Cormany Insurance Services.
To review the new rates and access the updated member packet, please log in to your member account.
Boundless Resolve
Horn player Brian O’Connor received the Tenacious Bravery Award at UCLA’s Golden Portal Awards July 12, where the two-time brain tumor survivor performed two of the horn solos he originally played on the TV series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Generations.” Photo: Vince Bucci
Renowned horn player, two-time brain tumor survivor Brian O’Connor receives Tenacious Bravery Award from UCLA Medical Center
by Marie Matson and Linda A. Rapka
Internationally recognized French horn player and teacher Brian O’Connor boasts an impressive career. He has recorded more than 2,400 films, numerous television shows and records during his career as a first-call L.A. studio player. He served for seven years as president of the Recording Musicians Association of Los Angeles, and taught French horn at UCLA for 11 years.
But most impressive of all is the strength and bravery O’Connor has shown in overcoming a brain tumor and surgery — twice. Continue reading
AFM Local 47 2014 General Election Nominating Petitions Now Available
The next General Election of the AFM Local 47 Executive Board, AFM Convention Delegates/Alternates and Hearing Board takes place Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.
Nominating petitions for the upcoming General Election are available from the Secretary/Treasurer’s office as of Aug. 1. All completed nominating petitions must be delivered to the Secretary’s Office, in exchange for a signed and dated receipt, no later than Monday, Sept. 15, 2014.
See full nominating petition requirements and more election information on page 11 of the August 2014 Overture (member login required).
Hollywood Musicians Union AFM Local 47 Hosts 30th Annual Regional Orchestra Players’ Association Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PASADENA, CA (July 31, 2014) — The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 is proud to host the 30th annual conference of the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA).
Each year, regional orchestra musicians from throughout the United States gather each year in a unique host city for an annual conference. A representative organization within the American Federation of Musicians, ROPA pursues activities conducive to the general welfare and artistic well-being of member orchestras and their musicians, and serves to enhance communications among those orchestras and with the AFM and individual Locals. Local 47 ROPA member orchestras include the California Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, New West Symphony, and Pasadena Symphony and POPS.
The opening ceremony for the 30th annual ROPA conference takes place Friday, Aug. 1, at the Pasadena Central Library. Guest speakers include U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA, 27th District), Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, and Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) Deputy Director James Elmendorf. Continue reading
#listenLA spotlight: Heroes in a Half Shell
Brian Tyler scores big on the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie
The latest reboot of the classic “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film series boasts an orchestral score by Los Angeles composer Brian Tyler and a 70-plus piece orchestra contracted by Peter Rotter.
On the famed Eastwood scoring stage on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, the scoring sessions took place over several days in June.
Read more and check out photos from one of the recording sessions at listen-la.com!