EMD47

Good News for Capitol Studios!

2008-07-11T09:57:00.001-07:00

I am pleased to announce that Capitol Studios has reached a satisfactory agreement with the developers who planned to build near the legendary studios and echo chambers. I want to congratulate Capitol and thank all our members who wrote in! The support of Local 47 was instrumental in putting pressure on the developers and City Hall to do the right thing! Appropriate mitigations are in place and an agreement that satisfies the recording communities concerns has been attained. Our hard work paid off.

Capitol Studios Update: Struggle to Preserve Echo Chambers Continues

2008-06-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

After numerous postponements, the Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) hearing concerning construction of a 16-story condominium adjacent to Capitol Studios took place June 24.

Numerous Capitol supporters, including EMD Administrator John Acosta and Local 47 members, turned out to protest the proposed construction, saying the noise would negatively impact recording sessions in addition to putting the studio's unique echo chambers at risk. The construction would also obstruct the view of the famous studio tower along the Hollywood skyline.

The committee voted in favor of noise controls that would prohibit the developer from using pile drivers and from excavating or conducting ground-level construction within 40 feet of Capitol after 10 a.m. on recording days at the studio. In addition, a thick neoprene foam liner would be installed around the excavation site of the condo's parking garage in order to shield Capitol's underground echo chambers from excessive vibration and noise.

"While these measures are welcome, we feel they still aren't strong enough to adequately safeguard against noise disruption in the studios," said Acosta.
The City Council will vote on whether to implement the committee's proposals July 8. At this important meeting, the Council must face a choice between a parking lot and Hollywood's architectural heritage and ongoing economic vitality. A recent study commissioned by Capitol found that the studio pumps more than $21 million in wages into the L.A. economy annually and accounts for almost 200 full-time job equivalents.

Local 47 thanks the membership for all for the support shown so far, with e-mails and letters numbering in the hundreds. Please continue to check www.promusic47.org for updates on the preservation of Capitol Studios.

Postponed...there may be good news!

2008-06-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Local 47 Members:

We have just learned that the PLUM Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been moved to next week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. The emails & letters have been coming in by the hundreds and we hope City Hall has heard the message loud and clear. The following is an email I just received from Greg Parkin Senior Director of Operations at Capitol Studios:

“I have just received notice that the PLUM meeting has been postponed until next Tuesday. PLEASE forward this on to anyone you believe was planning to come.

This is a last minute change requested by the developer in an effort to further address mitigations requested by EMI/Capitol .

I would also like to take this time to brief you on developments that have taken place in the past few days. This will perhaps help you frame your comments for next week's PLUM (Planning and Land Use Management) meeting down at City Hall.

We appreciate the various groups that have expressed interest in having their say before the city. (IBEW, Musicians Local 47, RIAA, NARAS, etc.) I am happy to report that at this point we have prepared extensive mitigations in conjunction with our acoustician, engineers, and legal team that the developer seems ready to accept.

This is obviously a positive development. We would still welcome all of your input before the PLUM committee in regards to the studios and what they mean to you and your group. You have the opportunity next week to demonstrate all that the studios mean to your organization and the lengths to which you will go to protect them. Feel free to address what concern's you most about a disruption for the studio: everything from economic impact from a day's closure, long term closure, or jittery nerves about noise. An alternate issue facing many residents is the sightlines.

We will definitely be stating that we appreciate the cooperation of 2nd St Ventures. We will also state that wavering from these commitments will bring us and hopefully you back to City Hall to defend this historic studio and all of the people, music, and commerce it supports. It is very important for the City representatives at the PLUM meeting to know that you will be back, and you will contact the appropriate City Council members if the developer does not honor the proposed mitigation measures designed to protect the Capitol Studios and echo chambers.

The more you can say how unique the Studio is, how much it contributes to LA’s cultural and economic life and how much it means to you and your group personally, artistically, and financially, the more impact we can have. If you do come, You will need to fill out a speaker card to be allowed to speak before the Committee. You will be limited by the Committee to two minutes in which to speak, so if you plan on speaking make sure that your are able to get across your message within the time limit . We would be happy to walk you through any questions you may have.”

We will continue to send updates on this very important issue.

Fraternally,

John Acosta
Electronic Media Administrator

Tuesday June 10 at 2 pm

2008-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

promusic47.org

WHAT: The City Council’s Committee considering this issue is called PLUM (Planning and Land Use Management). Board of Public Works

WHERE: Edward R. Roybal Hearing room 350 City Hall 200 North Spring Street

WHEN: Tue 6/10/2008 2PM

WHAT TO SAY: You can be very helpful by showing up even if you choose not to speak. If you do choose to address the Committee, the more you can say how unique the Studio is, how much it contributes to LA’s cultural and economic life and how much it means to you and your group personally, artistically, and financially, the more impact we can have. You will need to fill out a speaker card to be allowed to speak before the Committee. You will be limited by the Committee to two minutes in which to speak, so if you plan on speaking make sure that your are able to get across your message within the time limit . I will be on hand and will be happy to walk you through any questions you may have.

You may also send an automated email to each of the Council members from Local 47 website, promusic47.org.

I look forward to seeing you Tuesday downtown, and please take a moment to send a letter to the Council members!

John Acosta

Capitol Studios Update

2008-05-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

The hearing of the City of Los Angeles Planning and Land Use Mangement Committee has been moved (yet again) it is now scheduled for June 10th at 2 p.m. at City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Hearing room 350.

We welcome and encourage that all Local 47 members try and attend that meeting. We would also have an enormous impact if you write letters to the members of this commission (listed below) as well.

Please feel free to use your own language, but here is a sample letter that you may copy and print if you prefer

The letter should be addressed in the following manner:

City of Los Angeles
Planning and Land Use Management Committee
City Hall 200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, California 90012

Attn: Councilmember Ed Reyes
Councilmember Jose Huizar
Councilmember Jack Weiss

Re: Capitol Studios
Proposed Parking Facility at 6230 Yucca Street, Los Angeles
Matter No. 08-0550, CPC 2006-7068, ZC HD ZAA SPR, CD13

Dear Councilmember ____________,

I am writing to ask you to help save Capitol Studios, from the potential closure that will result from the Proposed Parking Facility at 6230 Yucca Street, and in doing so, show real vision and leadership for our city.

Capitol Studios is vital to our community and an integral part of our Entertainment Industry. The potential closure of Capitol Studios, even temporarily, will severely impact my Ability to work, by limiting the number of studios available in Los Angeles. During the last few years, we lost Todd AO Scoring Stage, Cello Studios and the Paramount Scoring Stage, to name a few. The availability of studio facilities in Los Angeles is quickly diminishing, and while Capitol Studios has weathered the storm, it is now in danger of being shut-down by a developer who acknowledges that there will be damage to Capitol Studios, but is determined to proceed.

I urge you in the strongest manner possible to deny the request to build near the legendary Capitol Studios, and help protect my livelihood, and our city’s legacy.

Sincerely,

Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Instrument:

Capitol - the latest

2008-05-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

We have recently learned from Greg Parkin, Senior Director of Operations at Capitol Studios, that the PLUM (Planning & Land Use Management) Committee Meeting was continued to June 4th 2008 at 2PM, (until further testing could be done to ascertain what impact the planned construction near Capitol Studios underground sound chambers will have).

There is also a City Council Meeting set for June 24, 2008 at 10AM where the issue of the development will be discussed and possibly voted on. Since my last communication, there have been a series of test done by the Developer and Capitol to either prove or disprove the concerns of Capitol Studios and the Recording Community in General. We are coordinating with Capitol Studios to see when it will be advantageous for our membership to appear and voice their opinions.

We will keep you posted and up to date.

Response to LA Times Article

2008-05-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

Sent to the Los Angeles Times on Friday, May 9, 2008:

Dear Editor:

I was unimpressed and disappointed by the article which ran in the May 6, 2008 LA TIMES, titled “Hot spot for U.S. Movie Scores.”

There seemed to be a distinct failure to portray the facts about music scoring in Los Angeles, and a failure to tell it like it is "LA is still the place to be" when it comes to recording quality scores for Motion Pictures, Television & Videogames.
In 2006 & 2007 the volume of titles scored in Los Angeles increased significantly over 2004 & 2005. The US Musicians union in 2005 made it even easier and less costly to score low budget films, loosening restrictions, and offering lower rates on projects with budgets of 12 Million Dollars or less. In fact, since 2005 US companies have released more Motion Picture soundtrack scores than in any other period. While globalization has indeed made it easier for companies to score their films in other countries, it has also had an effect on the entertainment industry worldwide.
Animators may now be in New Delhi, India as they toil away in realtime on hollywood blockbusters, cyber-conferencing with their taskmasters in Hollywood. In the face of continued competition, we in Los Angeles continue to hold our ground and expand our influence not only on projects initiated in the US, but we find that composers from all around the world come to Los Angeles to record their scores, using the finest musicians. Due to the weakening US dollar we now find Canadian productions beginning to flock to Los Angeles to record their music, with rates that are affordable and musicians who are world class.

I strongly suggest you research your topics more thoroughly, talk to the people who know the business and avoid publishing what is patently false. The article lacked credible sources and was terribly misleading to your readers.

Sincerely,

John Acosta
Electronic Media Administrator
Professional Musicians-Local 47
AFM AFL-CIO

Our Capitol Studios at Risk

2008-04-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday afternoon found me in unfamiliar territory; Los Angeles City Council chambers. My job was to represent Local 47 members in a hearing that could impact our community of musicians deeply – the preservation of Capitol Studios recording facilities.

We have recently learned that our beloved Capitol Studios is at risk of being severely impacted by a developer’s plan for new construction. Apparently, developer David Jordan has plans underway to develop underground parking very close to Capitol’s underground echo chambers, designed by Legendary Guitarist and AFM member Les Paul. The echo chambers would be severely impacted by noise during construction, with increased potential for permanent damage. The risk of allowing this construction to proceed may lead to a SHUT DOWN OF CAPITOL STUDIOS for months, if not years. The closure of Capitol would have a significantly negative impact on hundreds if not thousands of AFM members.

Tuesday I attended the hearing by a subcommittee of the Los Angeles City Council on the permit required for the construction. The subcommittee decided to temporarily table the issue, and reschedule it. This gives us time to give the Council your input.

Your union, with the support of the rank and file members, is trying to stop the multimillion-dollar project from advancing without a plan that incorporates intensive mitigation of the negative impact to Capitol Studios and the famed echo chambers. Capitol Studios is vital to our community and we have a vested interest in keeping Capitol open without interruption. From historic sessions with Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, and Barbara Streisand (among a few) to present work being done by Prince, John Williams, Michael Buble, The Academy Awards, The Grammy’s, and hundreds of others, world-renowned and historic projects have taken place at the hollowed grounds of Capitol. If we lose Capitol, we lose a legacy, unequalled in the history of music.

I urge you all to write your City Council Representatives, demanding that our legacy will not be destroyed. Urge them to SAVE CAPITOL STUDIOS. City Council member addresses and e-mails can be found at: http://www.lacity.org/council.htm

Capitol Studios is located in Eric Garcetti’s District. He is also President of the LA City Council. He can be reached here:
City Hall Office (213)-473-7013
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 470
Los Angeles, CA 90012
councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

April Report

2008-04-02T22:23:00.001-07:00

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Western Conference, which was hosted by Local 677 of Honolulu, Hawaii. Kudos to Local 677 for putting on a first class event! My only regret is not having any poi, a traditional Hawaiian side dish! Over 30 Locals had representatives in attendance, and in addition AFM staff and officers made presentations and reports to the delegates. President Lee and Secretary/Treasurer Folio reported on the financial condition of the AFM and their well-found belief that the AFM was gaining ground in the area of video games. There certainly is no question, we are gaining ground; however, there are significant improvements that need to be made to the AFM's Combined Use Agreement and the overall approach of doing "one-offs." The business of "one-offs" is awkward and cumbersome. Just imagine: an employer comes to the union and asks, "How much do you charge for a video game?" The union replies, "Well, how much are you willing to pay?" and then you go through a sort of "dating game" which hopefully results in a signed agreement. The whole approach to "one-offs" is undermining our collective approach to bargaining. If an employer can't get the deal he wants in one city, he can go to another, basically undermining the union's strength.

The AFM needs to limit its agreements in each industry to one, and set a National Scale for ALL to abide by. One last thing about the Western Conference: I would like to add that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with representatives from other Locals. It is apparent that the challenges we face in Los Angeles are challenges faced by AFM Locals throughout the U.S. and Canada. During the conference,

I had an opportunity to participate in a Diversity Committee meeting with Michael Smith, President, Local 581; Ron Sexton, Vice President, Local 581; Lovie Smith-Schenk, President, Local 65-699; and Eddy Bayans, President, Local 390. As chair of the AFM National Youth Diversity Subcommittee (YDS), I reported on some of the progress that YDS has made and has yet to make, and participated in the general discussion. The committee emphasized that diversity is not only an issue of race and gender, but an issue of musical styles and age. It was agreed that the AFM needs to continue to organize all facets of music, including musicians whose taste in music may not match our own.

Recently the AFM approved a Trailer Music Library Agreement for use in San Francisco. Apparently, the agreement allows the company to record unlimited amounts of music during the course of a three-hour session. The company may then use this music in any trailer, for an unlimited period of time, without any additional payments. The Basic Theatrical Motion Picture Agreement already allows companies to record library music for trailers. It would seem logical that the AFM would point employers to that agreement, instead of creating a whole new agreement. I am not opposed to increasing union density and expanding our grasp over an industry that currently is non-union, however I feel it is important that we proceed with caution. How can we, as a union, control an approach that allows employers to use and reuse music with no restrictions from eventually effecting our other agreements? As it stands – currently in jingles, for instance – we may see several million dollars in original session wages on a yearly basis; however, the reuse cycles can be four times that amount. If a library approach was applied to jingles the upfront monies would increase, but the loss in reuse payments would be devastating. Similarly, the library approach could result in increased upfront activity in other areas of recording work, but the potential loss in residuals and new uses would be untold.

I strongly urge our AFM leaders to research the impact that a music library agreement would have on jingles, motion picture, TV film, sound recording, videotape, etc., before going down a road of no return. There is no doubt the AFM and its Locals could use additional revenue, but it is of paramount importance that we study an industry before we dive in head first.