Music vid ballroom dancers team with AFTRA

Published: Mon., March. 17, 2011, 9:45pm PTBy Annoyed by the possible lack of a brand new contract, ballroom dancers for music videos have teamed with American Federation of Television & Radio Artists to pressure record labels for any deal. A lot more than 160 ballroom dancers and choreographers attended a standing-room-only "Now It's Time" forum Monday evening in the Nohopac center in North Hollywood to exhibit support for that unionization move. "The response that we have been getting in the dance community is extremely strong," stated AFTRA board member Galen Hooks. "We are requesting very fundamental provisions inside a contract."The big event, organized through the Ballroom dancers Alliance, came AFTRA treasurer Matt Kimbrough and NY Screen Stars Guild leader Mike Hodge. AFTRA's current deal on its seem recording contract includes a contract through the labels to bargain for any music video agreement to exchange a contract discussed in 1986. AFTRA negotiator Randall G. Himes told Variety that whenever a settling session on June 21, labels have delayed in reacting to AFTRA's proposal and setting dates for additional talks. "The 1986 agreement is just a page and half and it is completely outdated," Himes stated. The professional added by using ad-supported streaming services, music videos are producing growing revenues.The Vevo site -- released at the end of 2009 like a partnership between Universal Group, The new sony Music Entertainment and Abu Dhabi Media -- presently has 42 videos over 100 million sights each.The "Now It's Time" campaign, released with a number of videos to coincide using the MTV Video Music Honours at the end of August, requires an agreement which includes safety, fair pay, residuals and health insurance and retirement benefits. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com