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These documentary filmmakers want to give you $26,000 for doing nothing

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How would you like to be paid $250 a week for doing absolutely nothing? That’s a no-brainer, right? Well, two lucky volunteers could win that chance if they’re picked to star in a new documentary film about Universal Basic Income.

Those behind the film, which is called Bootstraps, would have a film crew follow the volunteers around for two years as they used their $250-a-week salary, totaling $26,000 over 24 months. A crowdfunding campaign has already raised over $22,000 to fund the first two volunteers.

Filmmakers Deia Schlosberg and Conrad Shaw came up with the idea for the documentary as a way to test the idea of universal basic income (UBI). UBI is often considered as an alternative to welfare, and would ensure that everyone on earth got a flat weekly salary not tied to their job status or wealth.

Flickr | 401(K) 2013

“Our goal with this film is to humanize and clarify for the public the effects of and possibilities within the concept of universal basic income (UBI),” the documentary website says. “The aim is to spur introspection into what exactly it might mean for each viewer as well as their friends, families, and countrymen, hopefully inspiring them to either become supporters of the idea, or to at least be interested in learning more and following its progress in the political discourse.”

Shaw and Schlosberg are looking for a diverse group of volunteers from all over America, according to an interview with Fast CompanyThe filmmakers believe that this documentary will be far more impactful than a study on the topic or a research paper.

“The pitch to the American people needs to be done in a way that speaks to their hearts,” Shaw, a New York-based actor and screenwriter told Fast Company. Shaw says it’s crucial this project be completed before the 2020 elections, because people “need to speak up if we’re going to pass UBI, because it needs to be bipartisan and something that everyone votes for.”

It will be interesting to see if the filmmakers can complete this ambitious project in the time frame allotted.

You can watch the trailer for the documentary here. Now, where do I submit my application for doing nothing?

About the Author
Jessica Suss

An aspiring food and health writer, native Chicagoan, and nut butter enthusiast. Jessica is also the creator of BiteMeBlog, but don't call her a foodie More.


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