New Trend in Concert Halls: Original Music by Movie Composers — No Film Required

Movie and TV composers are in greater demand than ever for, surprisingly, new music for the concert hall. For decades, concert commissions for film composers were few and far between. The increasin…

Musicians Agree To Extend Film & TV Contract; No Deal On Streaming Residuals

People are starting to pay attention!

After three days of bargaining, the American Federation of Musicians and management’s AMPTP have agreed to extend their current film and TV contract until Nov. 14. The agreement comes after failing… ... See more

Marc Sazer at AFM Press Conference

Marc Sazer addressing the AFM/Local 47 press conference at the AMPTP

Alex

RIP Hero, mentor, friend and colleague, Phil Teele. He was a mainstay in the Hollywood studio community for 6 decades and was a total original as a musician and person.

He pioneered the use of the big contrabass trombone in film music and was a world class bass trombonist playing with every film composer you can name including Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams and Danny Elfman.

He always wore black and had a sense of humor to match his wardrobe. I don't think I've laughed as hard as the times Phil quietly whispered under his breath one of his outrageous patented oneliners, quips or comments.

He will be remembered for his warmth, his groundbreaking method book outlining his unique long tone routine, his incredible playing on probably 1,000 films and his support for any young player seeking advice. I wish his family strength at this difficult time. Thank you so much for everything, Uncle Phil!! ... See more

Musicians Want Streaming Residuals As Contract Talks Start With AMPTP

Bargaining began Wednesday for a new contract between the American Federation of Musicians and management’s Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The chief issue is residuals f…

Musicians Seek Streaming Residuals as Contract Talks Launch With Studios

The American Federation of Musicians has launched talks on a successor contract with studios with the union seeking streaming residuals. The AFM held a press conference Wednesday prior to the start…

WGA Files Arbitration Claim Against Netflix Over Residuals From 33 Original Films

https://deadline.com/2019/03/wga-files-arbitration-claim-against-netflix-over-residuals-from-original-films-1202570957/

The WGA is taking on Netflix over the residuals it owes guild members. Deadline has learned that the union has filed an arbitration claim against the streaming giant over residuals owed to the writ…

WGA Files Arbitration Claim Against Netflix Over Residuals From 33 Original Films

https://deadline.com/2019/03/wga-files-arbitration-claim-against-netflix-over-residuals-from-original-films-1202570957/

The WGA is taking on Netflix over the residuals it owes guild members. Deadline has learned that the union has filed an arbitration claim against the streaming giant over residuals owed to the writ…

Peter

Congratulations to RMALA member Peter Boyer on winning the Ellis Island Award!

I'm overwhelmed to share this VERY exciting news — I will be receiving the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. (I can't quite believe it!)

From the official text: "The Ellis Island Honors Society is the proud sponsor of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, which are presented annually to a select group of individuals whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration. The Medal has been officially recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of our nation’s most prestigious awards, and is annually memorialized in the Congressional Record."

Since the Medal was founded in 1986, it has been awarded to distinguished and diverse Americans, including seven Presidents of the United States. Past Medalists have included Vice President Joseph Biden, Senators John Glenn and John McCain, Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and William Rehnquist, Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.

Other notable Medalists have included Buzz Aldrin, Muhammad Ali, Hon. Hillary Clinton, Walter Cronkite, Joe DiMaggio, Kirk Douglas, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Eisner, Gloria Estefan, Renée Fleming, Lee Iaccoca, Quincy Jones, Rita Moreno, Arnold Palmer, Rosa Parks, Gregory Peck, Itzhak Perlman, Chita Rivera, Martin Scorcese, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Eli Wallach, and Barbara Walters, among many others.

My fellow 2019 Medalists will include Congressman Adam Schiff, Paula Abdul, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, former Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, The Coca-Cola Company Chairman Muhtar Kent, and Robert Nederlander, Jr., among others. Needless to say, I am astonished, and deeply grateful, to learn that I will be among this group.

The gala event will take place on May 11th at Ellis Island. More than 300 service members participate in an opening ceremony that includes a joint-service color guard representing all five branches of the military. The medals are presented during a black-tie dinner in the historic Great Hall. When I composed "Ellis Island: The Dream of America" in 2001-02, and did my research in this historic location, I could not have imagined that I would be returning there years later to receive this wonderful honor. I look forward to a most memorable and meaningful evening! #EIHonors

http://eihonors.org/medal-of-honor/2019-medalists ... See more

U.S. Music Industry Posts Third Straight Year of Double-Digit Growth as Streaming Soars 30%

"Streaming revenues accounted for 75% of the total U.S. industry revenue, with physical accounting for 12%, digital downloads for 11% and synch for 3%."

The U.S. music industry posted its third consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to the RIAA’s year-end revenue report issued today. The report notes that in 2018 U.S. recorded-music rev… ... See more