Reader to Reader

As president of Professional Musicians, Local 47 AFM, I feel duty-bound to respond to Michelle Hart’s letter (Saturday Letters, June 23). She blames the musicians’ union for the fact that the production of “Side Man” at the Pasadena Playhouse utilized a prerecorded tape as opposed to live musicians. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, Local 47 has successfully negotiated numerous progressive agreements with both major employers such as the Nederlander, Shubert and Music Center organizations, as well as countless agreements with smaller independent producers, to bring quality musical productions to Los Angeles--all complete with live musicians to ensure the highest quality theater experience possible while keeping well within the budgets of these producers. Hart then comes to the illogical conclusion that it is somehow the fault of various AFM recording agreements (or rather the “head honchos at Local 47” that negotiate them) that prerecorded music was used for “Side Man.” However, the only greed exhibited here is that of the producers who chose to shortchange the audience with canned music.

Hart appears to be unaware of the various progressive AFM recording agreements, such as the Low-Budget Film Agreement (slightly less than the rates charged in Seattle, and significantly less than London), special lower television rates for first-time productions, reductions for soundtrack albums of as much as 75%, the Low-Budget Phonograph Agreement, the Limited Pressing Phonograph Record Agreement and special rates for “Made and Played” commercials and Local Commercial Announcements.

Recording rates and conditions are not set by “union honchos” at Local 47 or at any other local union. They are rather the result of negotiations between the producers (employers) and the American Federation of Musicians (the parent organization of Professional Musicians, Local 47).

HAL ESPINOSA

Hollywood

*

If Hart chooses to blow her music budget on “a three-day holiday at a five-star hotel” rather than a decent wage for the most skilled musicians and recordists in the world, that is her privilege. But it is similarly the privilege, duty and responsibility of critics and observers to note the schlocky result.

Protestations about “greedy” union policies are the tired rhetoric of those looking to cheapen their product, hoping that the consumer won’t notice or care. It’s only a matter of degree between a Seattle orchestra and the producer’s brother-in-law’s Casio, and that is the slippery slope of production in the 21st century.

Perhaps Local 47 suspects that Hart’s “reality check” is destined to bounce.

TOM HENSLEY

Sherman Oaks

*

In last Saturday’s letters, there were parents lamenting that there aren’t any movies for young children to see. Have they thought about theater? There are plenty of children’s plays and puppet shows to go to, at least in the Valley.

Check out the listings and try one out on your children. They might like it.

MARGUERITE JONES

North Hollywood