What Do They Get Paid for Commentaries?

[Steve67]

I've often wondered what kind of fee a former Doctor Who actor "commands" when they sit in for the commentary track on the dvd releases. It certainly can't be a tough gig, just showing up for a couple hours to watch, say, The Horns of Nimon.

Does anyone know what they get paid for their time?

And while we're at it, which Dr Who commentaries do you particularly enjoy? I love the one for The Deadly Assassin, with Tom, Philip Hinchcliffe, and Bernard Horsfall having a good old time. I love how Tom is alternately clueless and delightfully brilliant and insightful; he's a joy to listen to.

 

[The Wormhole]

I am completely ignorant on this matter, but I've always thought DVD commentaries were completely voluntary and that people doing them weren't paid? Wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong, though.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I too have always been under the impression DVD commentaries are voluntary...and due to availability which is why you always have key people that you wish where there, not there.

 

[JarodRussell]

I'd say in this day and age it's part of the contract. So when the actor takes the job, he already knows that he's going to have to do a commentary for the DVD, bluray release.

 

[Admiral_Young]

If it's a contract thing though wouldn't that mean it's mandatory for the principal persons to do the commentary even though they're schedules may not permit to? In lots of commentaries I've listened to, the director and cast members always say so and so couldn't be here due to them being elsewhere (either on a press junket or shooting their next project). Most recent movie commentaries seem to be recorded just prior to the film's release.

 

[Sindatur]

In the USA, yea, you do it to promote your show, and hope it spawns royalties/interest. You don't get any compensation, Jerry Doyle (Michael Garibaldi on Babylon 5) mentioned it in a radio rant, I believe.

Not sure how it's done across the Pond

 

[Admiral_Young]

The series five commentaries seemed to be recorded shortly before transmission of the episodes. Same with the RTD era commentaries.

 

[Rarewolf]

Classic series they are one of the most expensive extras, so I doubt they are done for free.

 

[JoeZhang]

Harlen Ellison explains this well in one of his rants:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

(STRONG LANGUAGE)

 

[Steve67]

Classic series they are one of the most expensive extras, so I doubt they are done for free.

Could you elaborate, please?

 

[Rarewolf]

Some of the earlier releases to not feature commentaries on every episode - Lost In Time, The Beginning boxest only have 6 for 18 and 14 episodesr respectively.

Personally I believe had they not recorded some of Mathew Waterhouse's trilogy stories' commentaries very early (to take advantage of him being in the country) when they thought they'd get solo releases (more budget to play with) those 12 episode boxsets would have had less too. You could hardly have 4 episodes of one story with comm, then two episodes with 1 each. Since then everything has had one.

I think the late Anthony Ainley mentioned how much fun it was being paid to talk for 90 minutes! Shame he never got to do more. Again that one was thanks to Matt.

I will ask on another forum if they can say roughly what the fee is.

 

[Lonemagpie]

No idea how much they get paid, but pretty much any Davison commentary is worth listening to...

 

[Rarewolf]

Anyway I did ask, but couldn't get any figures. They are no longer the most expensive extra, but yes they are all paid. After all could hardly expect Carole Ann Ford and William Russell to come back 48 years later to talk about the Sensorites otherwise!