Mayor Garcetti Endorses Listen Up!

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti — recently named Honorary Member of Local 47 — shows his support of  Listen Up! pictured above with rank-and-file Listen Up! campaign members Elizabeth Hedman, Marc Sazer, Phil Ayling, Doug Tornquist, Rafael Rishik, and Neil Samples. Photo by Kori Chappell

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti — recently named Honorary Member of Local 47 — shows his support of  Listen Up! pictured above with rank-and-file Listen Up! campaign members Elizabeth Hedman, Marc Sazer, Phil Ayling, Doug Tornquist, Rafael Rishik, and Neil Samples. Photo by Kori Chappell

L.A. city leader joins with AFM in calling on film production companies to end practice of offshoring film scoring jobs; AFM Local 47 reaffirms support of campaign

by Linda A. Rapka

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced in June his support for the American Federation of Musicians’ Listen Up! campaign, which calls upon film production companies that benefit from taxpayer-funded film credits to score their films in the United States.

“I’m fighting for good paying middle-class jobs across California, and our work to pass legislation — which will boost production and music scoring — must be with that goal in mind,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. Continue reading →

AFM Local 47 Says ‘Listen Up!’

Listen Up Logo

The Executive Board of AFM Local 47 passed a resolution June 24, 2014 reaffirming its support and commitment to the AFM’s Listen Up! campaign.

In a unanimous vote it resolved to communicate this support and participation to its members urging that they also endorse this campaign.

For more information about Listen Up! and to get involved, visit listenupnow.org.

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“Listen Up! is our flagship campaign, and we invite all Local 47 musicians to join, to participate, to get informed and to make a difference.” — Vince Trombetta, President

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“Let’s bring together fellow musicians, labor and community and say no more to outsourcing, no more to exploitation of musicians, and yes to Listen Up! and AFM musicians!” — John Acosta, Vice President

Gary

“The Listen Up! campaign is all about creating employment for musicians by building our strength and developing support among organized labor, elected officials and community leaders.” — Gary Lasley, Secretary/Treasurer

In Memoriam: Hagny Farestveit

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It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Hagny Farestveit.

Many of you will remember Hagny as our receptionist and operator here at Local 47. Having started in 1989, for over 20 years she cheerily fielded phone calls and greeted members as they entered the financial offices. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 28, 1pm at Salem Lutheran Church, 1211 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale. Hagny’s children extend an open invitation for all who wish to attend and pay their respects.

Woo-Hoo! Interview with ‘Simpsons’ composer Alf Clausen

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Clausen reflects on 25 years making music for TV’s favorite dysfunctional cartoon family

When “The Simpsons” first aired in 1989, no one expected it to become the longest-running situation comedy ever on TV — especially not composer Alf Clausen, who almost didn’t take the job. Clausen, who this year celebrates 25 years with the show, was initially more interested in composing for dramas and repeatedly turned down requests from Fox producers and show creator Matt Groening to compose for the show. After much cajoling, he signed on with “The Simpsons,” starting off with “Treehouse of Horror,” the third episode of season two, in 1990. He’s been with the yellow-skinned dysfunctional family ever since, and to date has scored 534 of the 550 episodes, receiving two Emmy awards and 21 additional nominations for his work on the show along the way. Clausen speaks here with Linda A. Rapka about spending the past quarter century with “The Simpsons.”

Your “Simpsons” music was just performed the TV Academy’s Score! concert. What was it like to hear it live?
“I thought it was great, it was so inspirational. I know the crowd really enjoyed it too. The orchestra played it beautifully.”

I love that you chose “Stonecutters Song” from “Homer the Great” – a personal favorite of mine. Whose idea was it to change the lyric from “Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star” to “Kim Kardashian”?
“And ‘Oscar’ to ‘Emmy.’ That was producer Mark Watters’ doing. It was really funny.” Continue reading →

Hollywood Musicians Dental Clinic

Local 47 flyer dental 2014

Sponsored by MusiCares, AFM Local 47 & Musicians Foundation of Los Angeles

Tuesday, July 15, 2014
9 am – 4 pm

MusiCares, in collaboration with Dr. Pacita Franco, DDS, AFM Local 47 and Musicians Foundation of Los Angeles, will host a FREE mobile dental clinic for music professionals*. Eligible members who pre-register will receive a complimentary dental cleaning and visual oral exam on-site at AFM Local 47 headquarters on Tuesday, July 15. Limited appointments available; register today to reserve your spot!

* To qualify participants must document at least five years professional music career history

The clinic will be held at:
AFM Local 47
817 Vine St.
Hollywood, CA 90038

All appointments must be scheduled in advance!
Register online: Local47dental2014.eventbrite.com
or call:
1-800-687-4227

Mayor Garcetti Supports Musicians’ Listen Up! Campaign

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Los Angeles mayor joins American Federation of Musicians in calling on film production companies to end their practice of offshoring film scoring jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2014

Press contact:
Linda A. Rapka 323.993.3162
linda.rapka@promusic47.org

Print PDF is available here

LOS ANGELES, California (June 11, 2014) — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today his support for the American Federation of Musicians’ Listen Up! Campaign, which calls upon film production companies that benefit from taxpayer-funded film credits to score their films in the United States.

“I’m fighting for good paying middle-class jobs across California, and our work to pass legislation – which will boost production and music scoring – must be with that goal in mind,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Halting the bleed of film and television production jobs out of California has been a top priority for Mayor Garcetti. Alongside the musicians union and other entertainment guilds, Garcetti has taken a leading role in advocating for the passage of AB 1839, the bill that would enhance the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program and provide a bump in the incentive for film soundtrack scoring in California. Continue reading →

Tribute Concert for David Weiss

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Presented by the Young Musicians Foundation
Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 7-9 pm

Tickets:  Free (RSVP requested).
Seating:  General admission.
Theater address:  Aratani/Japan America Theater, 244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Parking:  Closest paid lots are on 2nd Street between San Pedro and Central.

David Weiss was a beloved mentor, friend, and advisor whose passion for music and life touched our entire community. The Weiss and Walker families, along with Young Musicians Foundation, will present a tribute concert in celebration of David’s life on Tuesday, June 24, at the Aratani/Japan America Theater at 7pm. Concert and reception are free; RSVP requested at davidtribute.eventbrite.com.

YMF is deeply grateful to David’s family and friends for their guidance in selecting a few of his favorite pieces for the evening’s program, including works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Bach, and Dvorak.  We are also honored to present a new work by composer Michael Levine dedicated to David. A multimedia production will accompany the music. Ivan Shulman and Roger Kalia, YMF Debut Orchestra Music Director & Conductor, will conduct. Following the performances, attendees are invited to a reception outside in the plaza at approximately 8:15pm.

#listenLA spotlight: ‘Funny Boned’

Dan Redfeld -- Composer

Dan Redfeld — Composer

 Writer/director J J Hickey goes all union on his web comedy series

Writer, director and producer J J Hickey first met composer Dan Redfeld 14 years ago when he was seeking a music director for a theatrical production of the John Dos Passos trilogy “U.S.A.”

His web comedy series “Funny Boned” marks their third project together, and Hickey says he can’t imagine not using union workers – including musicians – for all his future projects.

Read the full story at listen-la.com!

Update on Responses to Motions from April General Meeting

At the General Membership Meeting of April 28, 2014, several motions were adopted requesting the Local to provide various data to the membership.

Local 47′s responses to Motions 3, 4 and 5 have been posted in the members-only section of our website. On June 9, Local 47 issued an update to the Work Activity Report in response to Motion 5. Please log in to your member account to view the updated responses and reports in the “Other Documents” section.