Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
November 1, 2020
IM -The Web Opera, composed by Michael Roth, of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), is a multi-episode, filmed opera web-series presented exclusively online and for free. It is a unique experiment in music and film based on true events to support suicide prevention and the fight against cyberabuse.
A college freshman installs a webcam and starts a chain of events that will forever impact the lives of those around him. The five-episode opera confronts the negative impacts of social media shaming and cyberabuse on mental health and self-esteem, particularly in teens and college-age youth.
“It is, among other things, an experiment in both opera and film,” says Roth, a composer and sound artist who has scored over 250 productions. “In many ways, I think of it as my way of creating new opera or music/theatre in an environment that encourages creating independent work, rather than hoping for a producer to create the work onstage—and, in turn, taking advantage of everything that a film environment and online presentation has to offer.”
Since its launch, The Web Opera has been an official selection at 25 film festivals.
The Web Opera can be viewed anytime at the website www.thewebopera.com.
The website contains links about bullying and cyberabuse, including information, support resources, and a discussion guide. The website also includes the opera’s complete score and libretto.