[Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 18, Issue 1

[Michael John Mollo]

Rick,

Those are some pretty strong words against unions.  I suggest you read up on
the labor movement.  Unions are designed to protect workers.  The musicians
union was originally designed as a liason between individual player and the
studio system.  Since the downfall of that system, it now ensures that
players can make a living, receive adequate health care, and are ensured a
pension when they retire (just like any other non-musical job).   The union
players in Los Angeles are the BEST players in the world.  That is why they
are so expensive. If you want to go non-union and hire Joe Smith's pickup
orchestra for your cues, then that will be reflected in your end result..

I suggest you look into the AFM and research their demo scale.  This is a
reduced rate at which union performers will work for non- feature projects.
They offer this scale to people who would otherwise have to fly to Seattle
or Prague to record for their demos.

Players aside, the unions represent orchestrators, conductors, coypists and
other composition related jobs.  Unfortunatley the composers are left out
since we are usually in a "work for hire" situation.  This is a shame since
we in effect have to reinvent the wheel every time we pick up a new gig.
This is why Williams, Elfman and the other top 5 or so can demand $1.5
million dollar creatve fees and the rest of starve doing independent
features for a $500 package deal.

Please remember, that in this business, only the top composers and the
people behind the studio desks are sitting back raking in the cash.  The
unions protect the players and all the other people who make their living
"freelancing."  And as a composer in Los Angeles, I am very thankful that an
organization such as this exists. I always know that when I gounion, I am
getting the best quality performance.

Michael John Molo


On 10/1/06, Rick Blanc <pazuni at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> What is so sacred about unions?  Unless one lives
> under socialism prices are determined by supply
> and demand.  The "entitlement" mentality is what
> creates a lot of problems society-wide.  That and the
> "diva" mentality whereby people overvalue their
> own work.
>
> Everyone needs to get over it and decide whether or
> they believe in markets.  Screw the unions.
>
> Rick
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