Veteran Violinist Marc Sazer Advocates for Hollywood Musicians' Rights

Marc Sazer, a seasoned violinist with an extensive career, not only has an impressive resume with contributions to numerous film and TV scores but is also paving the way for Hollywood musicians through union leadership. His musical journey, spanning four decades, includes recording iconic music for projects like 'Animaniacs', 'Empire', 'Finding Nemo', and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', and performing with legends such as Frank Sinatra. Stemming from a musical heritage with his father being a professional cellist, Sazer's life has been deeply rooted in both music and labor activism.

Advocating for Musicians' Rights

Despite not initially picturing himself as a union leader, Sazer embraced the role of vice president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. He is an instrumental part of negotiations seeking improved wages, working conditions, and protection against artificial intelligence exploitation for Hollywood's musicians. This battle comes at a critical time when the rise of streaming services and AI threatens traditional compensation models for music recording artists.

Negotiating for a Fair Future

The rise of streaming platforms has significantly impacted how musicians are paid, with current models offering no residuals for work featured on streaming services. Sazer and his team aim to establish fair pay systems, including residuals, for scores recorded for streaming content. Alongside monetary concerns, the threat of AI replacing musicians or using their past performances to engineer new compositions without proper compensation is also a major issue Sazer is confronting head on.

As someone with genuine experience in the industry, Sazer's colleagues hold him in high regard for his profound understanding and ability to articulate the challenges faced by musicians. His dedication to improving the plight of his fellow musicians is evident in his proactive engagement with policy matters, legislative discussions, and cross-union solidarity efforts.

activism, music, union