AFM Recording Agreements: How They Can Work For You

This first-of-its-kind conference on the West Coast, presented by the SCL along with AFM and RFM, was aimed at bringing an understanding of the options and opportunities available to record under the Union umbrella, to elucidate the process from inception to preparation to recording, to residuals and backend obligations. It examined common challenges and offered valuable tips for composers who want to learn or update themselves on the state of union recording in their field of work.

• Learn first-hand how to hire with union musicians and work with AFM contracts in Film, TV, and Video Game projects.
• Learn how to get the great musicians while still maximizing your budget and your earnings.
• Discuss and learn from veteran Composers, Industry and Union experts.

The conference was presented in two parts: first a General Session which looked at important and overarching issues between the various media. Then everyone divided into specialized Breakout Sessions, covering Film, TV, and Video Game music, which were repeated, giving attendees the opportunity to attend two separate Breakout Sessions during the course of the event.

Panelists included Film Composers: Aaron Zigman (The Notebook, The Company Men, Bridge To Terabithia), Austin Wintory (Grace, fLOW);

TV Composers: Dan Foliart (7th Heaven, The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Blake Neely (Pan Am, The Mentalist, Everwood);

Video Game Composers: Jack Wall (Myst, Mass Effect, Video Games Live), Gerard Marino (God of War, Matrix Reloaded), and

SCL, RMA, AFM, FMSMF and LOCAL 47 experts: PETE ANTHONY (President, RMALA), JOHN ACOSTA (Vice-President, Local 47), DICK GABRIEL (EMSD Director/Assistant to the AFM President), MARC SAZER (President, RMA International), MATT ALLEN (AFM EMSD Contracts Administrator), DENNIS DREITH (Fund Administrator, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund), GORDON GRAYSON (Electronic Media Division Administrator, Local 47).