[Fmpro] Unions and futures

[Mike Vaccaro]

I think it will be very interesting to see if there is a AFM International 
Convention three years from now. Believe me they are not protecting the live 
music performers either (they now allow Virtual Orchestra) and are making 
deals to undercut all CBA's.


Mike
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Blanc" <pazuni at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Mike Vaccaro" <mike at mikevaccaro.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 10:27 AM
Subject: Fw: [Fmpro] Unions and futures


> Mike, you might have sent me this in error, but to comment: I quit the 
> union about a year ago in protest, and as you say everyone is in survival 
> mode anyway.  This trend will more than likely only continue.  The union 
> may continue to play a role in "live" music, but will probably 
> increasingly lose control of recorded music.
> Rick
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Vaccaro" <mike at mikevaccaro.com>
> To: "Rick Blanc" <pazuni at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 10:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Unions and futures
>
>
>> Why don't you just do it non union. The New Era Scoring musicians don't 
>> seem to be doing a good enough job and even the busiest musicians on the 
>> best lists are doing cash dates.
>>
>> I don't think it is all that big of a problem. Probably should not offer 
>> $50 an hour for a cash date though. That's an insult. It is union scale 
>> for low budget pictures. No one wants to work for that. You could teach 
>> little kids in your pajamas at home for that and never leave the house 
>> (if one could possibly stand teaching).
>>
>> Mike
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Rick Blanc" <pazuni at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: "Mike Vaccaro" <mike at mikevaccaro.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 10:06 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Unions and futures
>>
>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> That is the question.  I have more analysis and questions than answers 
>>> that's for sure.  One of the problems here in LA is that the union is 
>>> enforcing the RMA policy of "no buy-outs anytime for any reason."  This 
>>> is making it difficult for local musicians to be competitive 
>>> internationally. It is an unsustainable policy and destructive to the 
>>> business long-term, in my opinion.  It continues, obviously, because of 
>>> the money stream. Turn that faucet off and the union collapses.
>>>
>>> Which leads me to what I think is the answer, however non-ideal.  We 
>>> have to work and compete in the global marketplace.  Market forces make 
>>> decisions. With the new technologies "local" doesn't mean anything 
>>> anymore.   From this perspective I think less market interference by 
>>> unions is better than more. Chances are there will be a smaller pie 
>>> whatever happens.
>>>
>>> Rick
>>
>