[Fmpro] AFM Union Threatens $50k Fines Against Composers andother AFM Members for Seattle Recording

[Scott Healy]

As far as unions for cable TV, I've done a lot of work for various cable
companies like HBO and MTV, including a live recording session for The
Sopranos. The first thing the producer told me when I was called was
"it's non-union." No reuse, total buyout, etc. When I got to the session
(in NY, big studio etc) there were 10 singers there waiting, and a SAG
(or AFTRA?) rep....all union singers, all on the clock, all on a
contract and getting some kind of deal for the session. Me, I quoted a
high figure for the day because I knew they didn't care so much and it
was only me, but what if I'd hired a string section? Am I pay them $1000
for the session? I don't think so. It's all hush-hush with musicians,
below the radar.

Do you think Local 802 should fine me for working? Hell no! The union is
aware of this work, and they don't discourage you from doing it. In fact
I've been advised that there is no pay for reuse and benefits and to ask
for a lot of cash up front, as much as I can. Their hands are tied. 

Cable emerged as a programming and production force from nowhere, and
the union agreements were never meant to engage this type of work. The
paradigm goes back to the 60s, I don't know how the actors and singers
get taken care of, but the musicians have to strike their own deal, and
usually get screwed.

I played live on MTV TRL with a multi platinum artist, the network
wouldn't talk about scale, payment, I got paid through the record label.
The performance got picked up and released on video, and was rerun the
following year, it was a Christmas thing.

I played with someone on Live at the HardRock, they ran the concert for
a year, no reuse payments. Also I might add no credit, no benefits, no
music prep (there were charts) and they could take the performance and
put it on a DVD for nothing (they didn't, that doesn't mean they won't
still!).

Of course this is not really relevant to composers, AFOFM has nothing to
do with them other than having some arranging provisions, and music
prep. But what of all the great composers who also play keys on their
music? I guess the fee covers all this. I do know that when it's a union
film session and the composer can go down as a player, there's lots'o
cash flowing on the backend through special payments, just like the
session players.

The first time I got a writing job when I was about 21 it was for
arranging, contracting, and playing on a jingle in a small town where
there was a professional orchestra and a high profile music school, no
shortage of session players. I called the local, and the old cat who
answered the phone laughed when I asked what scale was. "Get what you
can fella, we have nothing to do with it." I tried! Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: fmpro-bounces+scotty=bluedogmusic.com at nxport.com
[mailto:fmpro-bounces+scotty=bluedogmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Healy
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:25 PM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] AFM Union Threatens $50k Fines Against Composers
andother AFM Members for Seattle Recording

I love the talk show interviews with the celebs:

So, whatcha been up to?

Oh I just got back from TORONTO where I was FILMING A MOVIE with JOE
SCHMOE A LIST DIRECTOR.

Oh that's great! Who else is in it?


...and so on. You think they go to Prague and Toronto for the weather?
No, to save $$!! ...the dirty secret that's never mentioned. Have you
been to Toronto lately? (lovely city) First I believe it was North
Carolina, not because it was NON UNION but because there were tax breaks
etc (right)....but now....all bets are off. What about post production
packages that are farmed out to hopped-up bands of roving youths on
their networked G5 imacs, the music editor is dropping in stuff left and
right, no contracts are filed...I got one in my building in NY....MOST
OF CABLE TV IS NOT SIGNATORY TO AFOFM...what about JINGLE FINALS BEING
RECORDED IN EUROPE...!! They should be going after the studios, the ad
houses, networks, etc, not the musicians. I can't believe what I'm
reading. Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: fmpro-bounces+scotty=bluedogmusic.com at nxport.com
[mailto:fmpro-bounces+scotty=bluedogmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of
Jim Chase
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:15 PM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] AFM Union Threatens $50k Fines Against Composers
and other AFM Members for Seattle Recording

Hello, I'm Jim, nun-union composer:

I got on this one late.
  Mark Northram's original fmpro link will be forwarded to [Motter 
Snell, President, Seattle AFM local 76-493], and to the Seattle Times 
[desk editor name, position] with Mark Northram's permission.

Information for the AFM local 76-493

http://www.local76-493.org/

Glad to help,
rjchase,
Seattle.

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