Will Films While Staff Chills

31. Why are most of you straight brain dead? Dont be an idiot and know what your typing before you type, It has nothing to do with Will Smith nor any obligation on his part to use his own money to pay the employees should be expected. He is just the Star of the film, he does not choose locations nor specific restaurants. He ACTS! He does not take care of any logistical arrangments or does he need to be aware of any. It is up to the restaurant itself to pay the employess with their profits if they so choose so.

Posted at 5:07PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Mario

32. This is so typical of Hollywood. The only time regular folks matter is when they cough up their money for the latest production. They should have used the employees in the movie.

Posted at 5:05PM on Aug 21st 2007 by did I say that?

33. I think TMZ should foot the bill for the restaurant staff. If they are so concerned. They evidently have the problem and are indeed the pot stirrers. I wonder if TMZ pays people for just standing out there "attempting" to get photos or what about those that are injured how does TMZ compensate them.

Posted at 5:38PM on Aug 21st 2007 by what crap ugh

34. THE EMPLOYEES ARE SUCH SNOBS.

WHY DON'T THEY JUST SHOW UP AND DO EXTRA WORK. PAY IS PAY.

Posted at 5:59PM on Aug 21st 2007 by WILL TREATS HIS STAFF BETTER

35. I think that the owner of the restaurant should pay his employees for taking a forced leave. As so stated above, some live paycheck to paycheck and it does hurt when people have to pay utilities and rent and bills. That would be the moral thing to do..PAY THEM! Sometimes bosses forget those that keep the business running. I hope they were looking for other jobs that week off. They are not appreciated there.

Posted at 6:24PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Tansie

36. I dont think its fair. I leave on paycheck to paycheck one week will be scary. I hope they do something about it. I love will smith and i dont think he made the decesion it was probably the greeedy owner, but wil can do something about it

Posted at 6:34PM on Aug 21st 2007 by sonia

37. I'll just have to cancell my dinner reservations! No love at all!! Anyone have the number to the Health inspector? TMZ take pic's of customers and post them on friday!!!!!

Posted at 6:37PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Nacho

38. We run our own business and would NEVER think of treating our employees that way. I'm sure they didn't have a decision on the filming. I'm very shocked at Will Smith okaying no pay to the employees.

Posted at 6:40PM on Aug 21st 2007 by momofcnmc

39. Ummm... hello people. This has everything to do with the restaurant management and nothing to do with the production or the actors. The restaurant is being compensated for the loss of business and should in turn be compensating it's employees. I'm sure that the actors know nothing about any of this, they see the call sheet and show up at work. The production is paying the restaurant so no skin off their backs. You want to bitch? Boycott the restaurant. This is all their doing. (although if this info gets back to the actors, you watch, they'll pull a publicity stunt and help out the employees).

Posted at 6:49PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Whatever

40. I live in South Texas and this is not unusal. Albeit, don't close for movie productions, but other things, such as holidays. No pay unless you are on the clock. 4th of July off for three days with no pay. The wages are driven so low here it's unspeakable.

Posted at 7:54PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Hard Workin Shop Girl

41. Jizum H Christ.........No it is not to hard to pour a glass of water ,,,,,,,,thats not the point.
I am a waitress and most of the time I work 12 hr shifts. 7-12 Tables at a time. I work my ass off and how hard is it to read a script and look into a camera. I really ever wanted to be a waitress but it pays my bills......my taxes, food, clothing, mortgage, car payment, credit cards ect.,ect, ect,........These people that think that because you are a server in the resturant industry that you are at the bottom of the todempole. You are so wrong.
We are the people that go to your stupid movies and pay the 9.50 to see before weknow wether it sucks or if it is a good movie. Maybe they should start giving refunds. because I have not seen a movie out there in the last 2 years that is worth my money.

Posted at 8:58PM on Aug 21st 2007 by Janice

42. 20. Ok, so why not Charlize Theron? And why in God's name are the majority of you not holding the actual EMPLOYERS responsible? I don't get it. So because Will Smith is acting in a movie, he should make sure that the employees at a restaurant they are filming in get paid? Who paid the Patina Group? I don't think Will Smith did, so why is he responsible for paying the wages of employees? It just doesn't make sense to me. If I were a staff member of the restaurant, I would be angry with my boss, the employer - not some random rich guy just because he has money... he wouldn't owe me jack.
My employer on the other hand hired me, is getting paid for filming to take place at his location, told me to make myself scarce for a week, and is not paying me. I would be angry as hell at my boss.... and if I had a choice would quit that horrible job.

Posted at 3:27PM on Aug 21st 2007 by just another reader


Well said #20. You just took the words right out of my mind. I mean what logical sense does it make for him to have to compensate those workers and not their actual employer. I'm no Will's fan but just because TMZ painted the suffering common people picture here doesn't mean we should all quickly agree with it. Come on people, let's try to think things through logically before opening our mouths and saying things that make us look like morons. I repeat, Will is not obligated to those employees; yes, he's rich and yes he can afford to compensate if he chooses to do so. But don't give me that oppressing the common people bull crap! Peace!

Posted at 11:13PM on Aug 21st 2007 by man0war777

43. This the responsibility of the business not the star or the movie. I was manager at a place that closed for a movie filming. Our employees all got paid for their shifts. IMO tha tis bad of the company to do what they are doing to their employees. I can just imagine how much $$ htye are making on SET FEES..... thats just sick

Posted at 12:24AM on Aug 23rd 2007 by badbusiness

44. Yup - just another example of the poor working person "taking-it-up-the-butt" . Really, they should all get other jobs and let HIM wait tables "for a week" all by himself! This kind of greed really gets to me as there are a LOT of hardworking peoeple who DEPEND on that job - for some folks thats is ALL they have! A weeks missing wages can be financial disaster for people who do not make much money. Oh no HE got a big fat cheque for letting them film there - I am sure the poor waitstaff got paid -yeah right! I hope he falls on his face........................

Posted at 10:37AM on Aug 22nd 2007 by Cindy

45. Monday through Thursday are the slowest days to work a shift in the restaurant industry. On a good Friday or Saturday night, you can easily make more than an average week's worth of tips.

Posted at 4:54PM on Sep 14th 2007 by can't believe i care