BRING THE WORK BACK TO L.A.
Most professional music scores are no longer being recorded through the union in Los Angeles — they’re going overseas, to Nashville, or going non-union. Why? Because AFM’s contracts are too restrictive, too expensive, and out of touch with today’s production needs.
Musician Syndicate is a new movement of professional union musicians demanding a solution: A fair Buyout Contract option that keeps the work here, pays musicians properly, and makes recording in L.A. competitive again. The lack of work is not only hurting musicians – it’s hurting copyists, engineers, crew, etc., and shutting down iconic recording studios.
The Buyout won’t cover everything & it won’t solve every problem, but it’s a step in the right direction. It’s a lifeline. Let’s start with TV & streaming and go from there. It will bring work back to L.A. – Tell us if you support this by clicking below and answering yes or no. You can remain completely anonymous. We want the union to hear our voices loud & clear!
Who We Are
Musician Syndicate is a collective of like-minded professional musicians in Los Angeles who want to see change — and fast. We’re union members. We believe in the power of union work. But we also believe the union needs to evolve, listen to its members, and bring the work back home.
The Musician Syndicate simply has a shared goal: To keep professional recording work in Los Angeles.
This is a movement. Not a company, not a club – a movement of professional musicians demanding that the AFM finally listen to the very people they are supposed to represent. We already have over 350 union musicians who have said yes to a Buyout option & we want the opinions of as many professional musicians as possible – and through this platform, you can remain completely anonymous. We just want to know if you support a Buyout or not. Our goal is to collect as many opinions as possible & present the results to the union.
Click below & answer one simple question – Do you support a Buyout option or not? And remember, you can remain anonymous or include your name if you want. Please speak up either way!
Why This Matters
We’re Losing the Work. It’s Time to Fight to Get it Back.
Los Angeles is home to the best professional musicians in the world. It’s the heart of the entertainment industry – the place where film, TV, streaming, video games, and theme park music should be made.
But it’s not happening here anymore.
Studios and production companies are taking their work overseas or out of state – not because they want to, but because they have to. The current union recording contracts are outdated, restrictive, and simply too expensive. It’s become impossible for productions to justify recording union scores in L.A.
That’s where the Musician Syndicate comes in. Let’s fix this together – let’s bring the work back!
What We Believe
- We believe in union work and fair pay for musicians.
- We believe the AFM should be making it easier – not harder – for studios to record in Los Angeles.
- We believe in a Buyout Contract Option that allows for up-front, fair compensation without the costly back-end burden that drives work away.
This is a movement. Not a company, not a club – a movement of professional musicians demanding that the AFM finally listen to the very people they are supposed to represent.
Many cities and countries already use buyout agreements. Just simple, clean terms, & that’s why they’re winning the work.
AFM musicians should be protected & fairly compensated, but we are being priced out of the industry, and if the union won’t evolve, it won’t survive. Neither will we.
What We’re Asking For
We propose a Buyout Contract for union scoring sessions for:
- Television
- Streaming
- (And ideally, theatrical films in the future, but with different terms)
Our suggested starting point:
A fair but competitive hourly rate + pension + health & welfare = Buyout.
This is not a complete solution, but it’s a step forward. It’s a lifeline. It’s what the AFM should be fighting for.
All we want to hear from you is if you support a Buyout Option or not. You can remain completely anonymous – we just want to hear your voice!