Will Films While Staff Chills

Posted Aug 21st 2007 1:35PM by TMZ Staff

UPDATE: Adam Handelsman, EVP of 5WPR who represents the Patina Group, tells TMZ this is completely untrue. Patina Group owns multiple restaurants in the L.A. market. The staff were told that if they wanted to work, they could pick up shifts at other restaurants. "The vast majority," says Adam, "simply took a couple days off."

Hunky Will Smith is currently filming "Hancock" with hottie Charlize Theron at swanky Los Angeles eatery, Cafe Pinot -- and it's putting the pinch on the staff -- big time.
Will Smith, Charlize Theron
Our spies on set tell us that filming began on Monday and will conclude on Thursday, with the restaurant reopening Friday. And while the Patina Restaurant Group (home of celeb chef Joachim Splichal) is profiting from the location filming, all staff members at the restaurant have been told to stay home for the week -- with no pay! Not so tasty! The Fresh Prince of Bel Air would never treat his subjects like that!

Filed under: Movies

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1. Can they get unemployment for that week?

Posted at 2:06PM on Aug 21st 2007 by MarciP

2. with no pay??? well that sucks

Posted at 2:08PM on Aug 21st 2007 by BABESBLINGANDBOOZE.BLOGSPOT.COM

3. If the employees were smart they would allllll call in sick on the day it was supposed to reopen.. that would send the owners a message!!

Posted at 2:20PM on Aug 21st 2007 by CurlyB

4. I think that they can receive unemployment for that week but that is if they are legal residents. I think that stinks for people that live from paycheck to paycheck.
1 week can mess up everything. I don't see Will bailing them out.
It must be nice to have all that money and not care if you are hurting the little people.
We should just boycott the movie
That will learn them!

Posted at 2:20PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Janice

5. What the staff should do is come in on friday, and right before the dinner rush, everybody should just walk out leaving that punk bitch chief S-O-L. I did that at my old job and let me tell you, it was awesome.

Posted at 2:23PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Yea-Yea

6. Janice, how is Will or any actor responsible for the plight of these empoyees? The owner of the restaurant has an obligation to his workers not Will.

Posted at 2:28PM on Aug 21st 2007 by ujay

7. Too funny Sara.lol

Posted at 2:29PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Janice

8. Is there somewhere we can visit online to petition this? Like the production company for this film???

I will NOT see this movie, based on these actions. The majority of society HAS to work, we don't get paid the salary of movie stars....ante up, Will Smith or production company, or you will lose fans!!!

Posted at 2:34PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Moof

9. #6.......Will is the star of the movie, which in turn he is making a profit for thier loss
How the hell can you not see that. He can stick for these employees, but he won't because it is all about money.

Posted at 2:43PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Janice

10. Call the Labor Board. That is soooooooooooo unfair. The Patina Group has just lost a good customer, I will never dine in your resturants again.

Posted at 2:46PM on Aug 21st 2007 by jj

11. And I hope these employees don't show up on Friday

Posted at 2:46PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Janice

12. the owner is getting a pretty penny im sure, in a fair world he would share the wealth. but mama always told me "life is not fair"

Posted at 2:51PM on Aug 21st 2007 by alabamadread

13. It clearly says:
"And while the Patina Restaurant Group (home of celeb chef Joachim Splichal) is profiting from the location filming, all staff members at the restaurant have been told to stay home for the week -- with no pay!"
Obviously the Patina Restaurant Group is making money off filming at their location, but don't want to look out for their employees during that time. I think this is the restaurant's responsibility, not Will's. It is easy to hit on the movie star, but why should he be responsible? He did not hire the restaurant staff in the first place, nor did he tell the restaurant owners to make them go away for a week. If the Patina Group had any sense of fairness, they would use some of their "profits" to make sure their employees are treated fairly, and paid at least something while they were told to be gone.

Posted at 2:56PM on Aug 21st 2007 by just another reader

14. I think it really stinks Will Smith makes bundles of money so he has enough to dish out to the employees of the restaurant.. It's not like he will be missing any of it? or hurting like some people would they have families to feed as well..

Posted at 2:58PM on Aug 21st 2007 by BRANDY

15. Good idea Janice.

Posted at 3:00PM on Aug 21st 2007 by MarciP

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