Advocating for over 125 Years: Formed by and for Los Angeles-based musicians in 1897, the Burbank-based American Federation of Musicians Local 47’s mission is to promote and protect the concerns of professional musicians—including high level studio musicians, artists signed to major and indie labels, those who work in film and TV, and members of premiere orchestras and symphonies, including the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Union VP (and former President) John Acosta says his elevator pitch on Local 47’s function is: “The union is the backup for musicians in the freelance world that helps you get paid properly, gives you access to better gigs, tours and sessions, and protects your rights when your music is recorded and reused. They are also playing a critical role to put a framework around the use of A.I., so that the work of musicians is not being copied, mimicked or reproduced. They have a mandate to work with the creative community to protect music creators."
VP John Acosta: In the ‘90s, Local 47 VP John Acosta was the singer/guitarist for L.A. trip-hop, neo-psychedelia band Forest for the Trees, which signed to Dreamworks, and released their only album and the Billboard Hot 100 single “Dream” in 1997. Later, over his initial 18-year span at AFM Local 47, he served as business rep, VP, and ultimately President, advocating for fair pay, inclusion, and protections for working musicians. After stepping away for a few years to take a creative sabbatical that included touring in South America and the Middle East, Acosta decided to return this year. He joins a committed leadership team (led by President Mark Sazer), with a clear mission to stabilize the union after uncertain years (due to the pandemic, actors and writers strike, and L.A. fires) and build a strong foundation.
“One of the bright lights for us is that since my hiatus, I see more thirst than ever for live performances, even higher than pre-pandemic,” he says. “Every country I go to, I see people wanting to be around others experiencing music, and there’s been an explosion of concerts here and abroad. More live performances mean more work for our members. We’re also encouraged by the labor organizing being done across the country.”
The Rise Orchestra: Another bright spot is the RISE Film Scoring Orchestra, an L.A.-based mentorship initiative by non-profit Musicians at Play that pairs young, diverse musicians with professional industry veterans to provide training in film and TV scoring. It serves as an apprenticeship program with Local 47 offering support by providing union-level professional mentors and opportunities. The RISE Diversity Project aims to increase diversity in the Hollywood studio orchestra scene by providing high-level, paid training to minority and underprivileged students. MAP foundation lists the John Williams Family Foundation as a supporting partner in their efforts to provide musical instruments and training to underserved schools.
Contact AFM Local 47 at 323-462-2161
