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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-21 04:58
"Composers and Orchestrators Line Up Behind Musicians' Union"
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/78007.html
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-21 14:52
Of course--they can all be eventually replaced by the coming technological revolution and Virtual Orchestra. It isn't just all about the musicians, you know.
Now if the public starts "lining up" behind the musicians, composers and arrangers, "That'l Be The Day."
Live music IS best--we all know that--but they (the public) have to know this and be willing to be our advocates, artistically and finacially. So spread the word to whomever will listen. "Talk the talk and walk the walk (picket & public informational events)" and save all-live muscial theater.
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-02-21 16:06
The NY Post story and the Playbill article offer a couple of rays of hope, even though the proposed compromise by the producers would apparently cut some pit orchestras by 25%.
What I haven't seen mentioned (although William alluded to it above and Actors Equity should be thinking about) is if audiences learn to accept canned music, why shouldn't producers take the next step and hire some stars/celebrities who can't sing, but would draw crowds into the theater, and just have them lip-sync their songs? We accept it now in movies. (I noticed that the producers of the movie version of "Chicago", recognizing this, made a point of having a statement in the credits that the three stars DID sing their own songs.)
And have any of the producers thought about creatively using the "walkers" to enhance the audience's theater experience by having them play in the lobby or outside the theater (unless there are union rules prohibiting that)?
Does anyone on this board know (or know where to find the information) what percentage of a typical (if there is such a thing) Broadway musical show budget is consumed by the live musicians? Obviously there would be some savings if the producers only had to pay musicians for one recording session (no residuals?) instead of every night, but how significant is that in the overall budget?
Live music is best, but the dollar is still almighty.
Todd W.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-21 17:12
Hi Todd:
Thanks for your important comments and questions. To answer just one point,
"Does anyone on this board know (or know where to find the information) what percentage of a typical (if there is such a thing) Broadway musical show budget is consumed by the live musicians?"
The answer is: 3-6% of the total budget, or $1.67-5.30, depending on the ticket price.
JJM
More info:
The League has agreed to work on the wording of the Special Situations clause which is big for obvious reasons. There is a rally in Times Square on Wednesday 2/26 which I urge all to attend. It is imperative that we have a strong showing. Please get back to me if you can be there. I'll pass on the exact place when I get it. The NYPD has to decide where to put us. Tony Gorruso (JAZABOP@aol.com) passed this on to me, it's a great idea:
...Please help us get 100 people to the Thursday morning broadcast of the Today Show, next Thursday, Feb. 27th., 7 a.m.
(Meet at the west end of the skating rink where the Christmas tree is set up during the holidays.)
I know this is early, but its perhaps our best opportunity for national TV coverage. Please help out.
Our show has to provide at least 10 people that morning.
Please contact me if you can come and ask others as well to show
up-call your subs. We want a sea of musicians with placards on national TV.
Bring your instruments too if you can. (good visuals).
Kenny DeCarlo (listed under Trumpet in the union directory) is putting together a big brass band for this event. If you can play contact him.
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Author: anonymous
Date: 2003-02-21 18:27
I've signed the online petition and have forwarded info to others who might not be aware. I'm a member of Cincinnati Local #1. The idea of replacing live musicians is sickening.
Also happened to catch "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in NYC last week and the pit was GREAT!!! So to whoever played there on Valentine's Day: WOOO HOOO!!! Fantastic!
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-21 19:25
Hi Anon.
Thanks for your support from Cincinnati Local #1.
FYI:
The guys at "Thoroughly Modern Millie" are:
Lawrence Feldman-Reed 1
Dan Willis-Reed 2
Walt Weiskopf- Reed 3
Alan Wan-Reed 4
JJM
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-02-21 21:19
John,
This is good news that so many composers and orchestrators have made a statement.
The producers only care about the bottom line in the long term, which is why they bust the union with scab tours.
Smaller minimums are merely another step towards eventual extinction.
I love how they keep bringing up walkers. There aren't any, to my knowledge and haven't been for years. I saw them do it on NY 1 the other day. Incidetally, Bill Moriarty (802 pres) should have had MUCH better talking points for that interview.
How rich do theater producers want to be? If they would simply stop producing shows that lose millions of dollars, they wouldn't have to squeeze the blue collar workers on their shows so hard.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-21 22:00
Well said, HAT:
Keep up the good will toward "live music" everywhere.
Latest updates:
1. THE MUSICBILLS are to be distributed this weekend. 7 shows will be leafleting at their respective theatres and continue into next week. If you are a regular or sub at any of the shows below, sign up with your Theatre Rep(s) to help pass out the Music Bills.
If your show isn't listed but want to help leaflet anyway, e-mail the theatre reps at their shows and let them know when you'll be by to help.
42nd Street -- John Arbo (jarbo@optonline.net)
Aida -- Dean Thomas (dthomas340@aol.com)
Beauty- Tony Kadleck (kadleck@aol.com)
Chicago- Marshall Coid (marshallcoid@aol.com)
La Boheme - Joe Bongiorno (josephbongiorno@earthlink.net) OR Ken DeCarlo(kenuci@aol.com)
Mamma Mia - David Nyberg (dnyberg@mindspring.com)
Man of La Mancha - Braden Toan (btoan@rcn.com) ) OR Patrick Milando
(patrick@milando.com)
2 . RALLY UPDATE -- The NYPD has refusing to grant us a Rally permit for Times Square. The only spot they've offered so far is below 42nd street, but we are not going to be moved our of the Theatre District. So the alternative plan will be to hold 16 mini-leaflet demonstrations at each of the current shows before the Wed. evening performance. (Feb. 26th). We'll send send out an update when plans are finalized.
3..SHOW SUPPORT AT THE NBC TODAY SHOW:
WHEN: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27TH, 7AM
WHERE: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ROCKEFELLER CENTER, OUTSIDE NBC’S TODAYSHOW
WHO: ALL BROADWAY MUSICIANS AND SUPPORTERS (INCLUDING FAMILY AND FRIENDS)
WHAT: YELL AND CHEER FOR LIVE MUSIC ON BROADWAY-SHOW THE WORLD (AND THE NATION) WHY LIVE MUSIC IS INTEGRAL TO BROADWAY
BRING: INSTRUMENTS (OR INSTRUMENT CASES), SMILES
REFRESHMENTS, SIGNS, BUSINESS CARDS, AND LEAFLETS WILL BE PROVIDED
IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW UP IN LARGE NUMBERS TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND GET THE ATTENTION OF AL ROKER. PLEASE R.S.V.P TO HEATHER BEAUDOIN AT (212)245-4802 EXTENSION 176 OR HBEAUDOIN@LOCAL802AFM.ORG. IF YOU’RE A BRASS PLAYER, AND WILL ATTEND THE EVENT, PLEASE CALL KENNY DE CARLO(973)-635-1333.
4. Mark the DATE -- GENERAL MEETING OF ALL BROADWAY MUSICIANS.
A Strike Authorization Vote is Scheduled. Saturday, March 1st -- 5pm - 7pm at Local 802 -- First Floor , Club Room.
Food will be provided.
5. Recent media regarding negotiations --
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/78007.html (Feb. 20th Playbill
article)
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/54930.htm (Feb. 21st NY POST article)
Bill Moriarity will be Michael Riedel's guest tonight (Friday, Feb. 21st)
on "Theater Talk." The interview airs at midnight on Channel 13.
6. The next full negotiating session between the League and the Union is set for Tuesday morning, Feb. 25.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2003-02-22 00:37
By the way, I've been to enough broadway musicals to realize that all too frequently, the most exciting thing in the theatre is the orchestra. That the producers would contemplate substituting 'virtual orchestras' and skeleton-combos for a lousy 3-6% saving (John's figure) is mind-boggling. So they really ARE that stupid, or that greedy, eh?
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Author: Julie
Date: 2003-02-22 01:18
I would really like to come to the Today show thing, but alas, I can't. I'm too far south and have no way to get there. Drat. But I'll be there, mentally.
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