Will Smith Music Video Dispute Ends After IATSE Picket Line Protest

Will Smith's latest music video shoot in West Hollywood faced unexpected turbulence on Friday when it was picketed by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). The dispute centered on union recognition and benefits for crew members, who were initially hired under non-union terms by Breathe Entertainment.

The conflict began when IATSE requested union recognition and pension and health benefits for the crew. According to IATSE Local 80’s Dejon Ellis, about 20 crew members were dismissed after the request, a move he called “not cool.” However, Stephen Trivieri, president of Breathe Entertainment, claimed only 10 crew members were let go and that they opted out under union pressure.

The production, held at Quixote Studios, was independently financed and explicitly non-union, Trivieri said, though he acknowledged that some crew wished to vote against unionization to continue work.

As the picket line formed, newly hired replacement crew members reportedly walked off the set after realizing a union protest was underway, further halting production. Despite initial resistance, IATSE maintained a picket line, asserting that Los Angeles remains “a union town.”

Later on Friday, IATSE confirmed that an agreement had been reached. The picket concluded and the original crew members returned to the set.

This event reflects IATSE’s ongoing strategy to "flip" non-union projects to secure better labor standards, a tactic previously used on award-winning productions like Anora.

Emails to Smith’s representatives remain unanswered, but the resolution highlights growing tensions—and resolutions—in labor negotiations across entertainment’s evolving landscape.

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Source: Variety

Photo Credit: Ian Gavan/Getty Images