Our Musicians: Recording & Digital Media
Musicians working in recording and digital media have joined forces in AFM to fight for better pay, improved industry standards, healthcare, and a secure retirement. They perform on recordings—both in the studio and on live performances that are recorded. They record radio, TV and online commercials, film and video game scores, and appear on live and pre-recorded TV.
It’s not unusual for musicians to hear one of their recordings at the movies or while watching TV, prompting the question, “Am I due money for my music being used?” The answer is yes if you are a union musician. Musicians recording under a union contract usually receive “new use” fees including pension benefits when their recordings are re-used.
New use, sometimes called re-use, is when a recording is used outside of its intended purpose. For example, music originally recorded for a CD is later used on a TV show or in a commercial triggering a new use payment. New use payments apply for all types of original recorded music, including sound recordings, TV and film scores.
AFM musicians also receive payment when their music is licensed for use in formats outside of its intended use (e.g, theatrical film scores released to “supplemental markets” such as DVD, pay-tv, streaming, cable, and in-flight use) or when excerpts of their music are used (“clip use”).
EMSD Resource Center
It is no secret that Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) contracts are not simple to understand, even if you have a background using them! If you’re a prospective employer, a young musician doing your first union gig, or a new local officer who has never had to process a recording contract before, the details can seem impossible to comprehend. The EMSD Resource Center will help guide you to the exact information you’re looking for regarding national collective bargaining agreements, including commercials, film and television, internet/streaming, sound recordings, and more.