4 crew members who were promised a role in NBC's 'Bel-Air' speak out: 'I left my son for a year for nothing'
Smith requested a meeting with Cooper, which obviously went well. In 2020, the buying process for the"Bel-Air" series began. I sat in on some of the pitches, and we found out thatRufus Burns
He said he wanted to do a film starring Rufus, but that he was under contract for"Bel-Air" so no one could know. I told him I'd be in and out of LA for this work deal and to let me know how I could help. He asked if I could spot a little bit of the starter money, just to get things rolling, and we'd all get paid when the film sold. I agreed. I figure it'd be a good investment, since Cooper's a young and in-demand content creator.
When shooting for the film started, I came back to LA and would be on set to support the cast and crew. I'd let the crew use my credit card for purchases related to the film. I had a conversation with Cooper about formally buying 20% of the film and opening a business account for the PAs to use for purchases, but he said he didn't want that. I dropped the issue — but we left that conversation with the understanding that Cooper was going to fund the rest of the film himself.
As time went by and we were shooting the film, I started to witness Cooper all but promise several PAs and sound techs they'd get a job on the"Bel-Air" TV show. It didn't sit right with me. or something else. The producer retracted the email a few days later, saying he had no right to say that — but Cooper doubled down verbally to us after that and always talked as if it was a done deal. about an idea for a film he wanted to shoot in LA, and was very adamant that he wanted us to star in it. He suggested that we be in LA to prep for"Bel-Air" as well.