Archive · 25 May 2025
Will Smith Music Video Shoot Halted Over Labor Dispute
Will Smith was filming a music video for his new album.
The people who work on the video, like the lighting and sound crew, have a union.
The union and the company making the video, called Breathe Entertainment, disagreed about the workers' benefits, like health insurance.
The union workers decided to stop working and protested, forming a picket line.
Eventually, the production company agreed to the union's demands.
The crew then went back to work, and the music video shoot could continue.
Will Smith's music video shoot was halted due to a labor dispute.
The IATSE union picketed against Breathe Entertainment over benefits.
Breathe Entertainment dismissed 35 laborers, sparking the protest.
The union crew walked off the set to join the picket line.
The production company reached a deal including health and pension benefits.
- Who
- Will Smith, IATSE union laborers, and Breathe Entertainment.
- What
- A music video shoot was halted due to a labor dispute.
- When
- The incident occurred during the filming of a music video for Smith's album, 'Based on a True Story,' released March 28, 2025.
- Where
- West Hollywood, California, at Quixote Studios.
- Why
- Union laborers picketed due to a dispute over health and pension benefits.
Union Perspective
Production Perspective
Worker Benefits
Union Perspective
Workers were entitled to health and pension benefits as part of their employment.
Production Perspective
The production company initially refused to recognize union benefits for the workers.
- Artist
- Will Smith
- Production Company
- Breathe Entertainment
- Union Involved
- IATSE
- Location
- West Hollywood, CA
- Album
- 'Based on a True Story'
- Release Date
- March 28, 2025