Do people get paid to be in documentaries and stuff?

[Robb]

Apparently I'm to be filmed to possibly be included in the "special features" on a DVD release, as an expert on something. They're going to park me in front of some building and let me rattle on.

I don't expect it, but is that the kind of thing they'll want to give me money for? :D

[KurtNYC]

1. Documentary makers have ended many people's careers

Michael Moore was asked how he gets people to appear in his films and he said it was the lure of the camera. Basically that people feel so validated by being able to participate in media that they don't think through the downside.

A high school principal and a superintendant in California have just lost their jobs after agreeing to let a 24YO go back to school (and write a scathing, scandalous and mostly fictional book about the experience).

The guy who used to cut my hair was in trouble with NJ tax authorities over not paying tax on cigarettes he bought through the internet. ABC got a hold of him and he did a segment. Sure enough the NJ tax people saw it and he is now in deeper trouble.

Hopefully you are not going to be discussing anything for which you could lose your job, be arrested, be dragged into tax court or be stalked and harrassed.

Getting money for it would be low on my list of concerns.

[LostinVA]

3. What's the name of the book? That sounds good!

[Lautremont]

2. Not very often, no.

I've made a couple of those things and never paid anyone.