Executive calls for action to save screen music in Los Angeles

The work of composing music for film and television is the latest Hollywood industry facing potential devastation if action is not taken to save it.

That’s what Peter Rotter, a music and orchestra entrepreneur who has worked on films such as Avatar, The Snow Queen, And dead Poolin an open letter to the industry that serves as a call to arms to mobilize not only the music community, but also studios and production companies.

“I must wave the flag of deep concern as I see the infrastructure of the Los Angeles recording industry on the verge of failure,” Rotter wrote in the letter circulating among Hollywood professionals. “It is only a matter of time before this happens unless we as a community stand together and support the livelihoods of the people of this city.” »

His concern comes as Hollywood is already reeling from fires, literally and figuratively, on several fronts. From COVID-19 to the writers’ and actors’ strikes to the contraction that followed the strikes, the film industry has been undermined in quick succession. Added to this is production that is fleeing the State, or even the country, mainly due to attractive tax incentives.

One aspect that has been less discussed is the migration of post-production to locations around the world. Los Angeles is facing a loss of artists, producers and executives ranging from sound to visual effects. Musicians and the musicians who support them play a vital role in this.

As an orchestra entrepreneur, Rotter brings together musicians and talents to create ensembles that will not only bring scenes and sequences to life, but all the emotion, making the audience’s hearts soar with love or burst of fear. He has worked on more than a thousand productions: Cross, Moana 2, Transformers One And Juror #2 are recent credits but they extend up to Minority Report, Ice Age And Elf – and is considered by many to be the oldest in the industry.

In the previous century, Los Angeles used to have music from many studios, but today only Fox, Sony and Warner Bros. have composition scenes. Rotter has seen stage work slowly decline over the years, but over the past decade it has accelerated to the point where studio stages remain empty most of the time. Due to issues like residuals and union pressure, it simply becomes cheaper to exploit music overseas. But the musical aspect could become the proverbial canary in the coal mine.

“Post-production is winding down at an alarming rate, and the loss of musicians is just the beginning,” said a post-production manager.

Rotter, who won an Oscar last year for executive producing the Los Angeles and music-focused short The last repair shophopes that, like the artists he brings on stage, he can trumpet a gathering of executives and politicians, anyone, who can save what he sees as an aspect of the Hollywood business on the brink of collapse. extinction.

“I had to write this to say that I see what is happening, and if we don’t step up and revive what we have here in Los Angeles, we will wake up one day and it won’t be here,” he declared. tell The Hollywood Reporter. “And we’re a lot closer to that than people think.”

Read the letter in full below.

Dear friends, colleagues and leaders and professionals in the music industry,

As a native Angeleno who grew up and resided in Los Angeles my entire life, my heart is devastated by the recent wildfires that have affected so many within our community.

When one suffers, we all suffer…and we all suffer deeply for our collective family. We are a small family of intertwined professionals (composers, instrumentalists, singers, sound engineers, music editors, stage crew, copyists, orchestrators, conductors, arrangers, music directors, music producers, music supervisors, music directors, etc. .) and with that in mind, I needed to reach out and share my heart with you all.

Prior to the fires, our music community had been hit hard by COVID and then by several consecutive strikes as well as the drastic change in the level of film and television production. We’ve seen work leave Los Angeles for many reasons. I understand that these reasons and decisions are made months in advance and are based on filming locations, tax credits/incentives as well as other factors beyond our knowledge that affect these decisions.

As a leader and someone who cares deeply about this industry and its employees, I needed to reach out personally to see what could be done to conserve, bring back or partially utilize the community that needs you more than ever and your workflow. Our stages are and have remained empty most of the time with their stage crews having to find part-time jobs to supplement their income as most stages only work 3-7 days a month. Musicians can’t make ends meet because the number of concerts here in Los Angeles has fallen off the cliff and now, on top of that, the fires have caused greater losses.

I must wave the flag of deep concern as I see the infrastructure of the Los Angeles recording industry on the verge of collapse. It is only a matter of time before this happens unless we as a community stand together and support the livelihoods of the people of this city., no matter the union animosity, no matter that your company is not a signatory to the AFM, no matter the lack of tax credits or incentives, no matter that the productions are filmed outside the jurisdiction of the United States or Canada, whatever might cause you to take a break and I have no plans to work here.

As Lincoln once said, “I implore the better angels of our nature” to help reverse this horrible situation so that we can sustain our industry before it completely collapses here. We all realize we need to work together to create a better workplace for everyone, discuss labor and current business models, get tax credits here in Los Angeles, and make union restrictions less restrictive so you WANT to work here. These things MUST happen, and they will, that’s what negotiations and open dialogue are for. We are, however, in the middle of an agreement for AFM and SAG that will last for more than two years.

I have worked my entire career to build strong relationships based on trust, care and integrity. I ask you, as friends and colleagues, to consider what CAN be done now to breathe life into the blood of our music industry.

Our city has become silent, still and devoid of music. Let’s collectively revive the art form that was once heard so loudly on our historic stages.

I am always available if anyone would like to discuss what might be possible and what steps can be taken to help make this a reality. Jasper and/or I are happy to act as an intermediary with unions or musicians.

Thanks for reading and thank you for your consideration.

With much respect and hope,

Rock