This backpacker was paid hundreds of dollars to have her hair shaved on film.

Young female backpackers in Dunedin are being paid hundreds of dollars to have their long hair shaved off on camera.

Yet the women, who are from Europe, the cameraman and the salon staff have no idea who is behind the job – nor what happens to the footage.

The hairdresser and videographer involved, who declined to be named, said the work was arranged via email by a person called "Gemma".

HAMISH MCNEILLY/FAIRFAX NZ Emese, 32, of Hungary was paid hundreds of dollars to have her hair shaved by a mysterious benefactor.

Attempts to contact Gemma have been unsuccessful.

It is understood Gemma threatens to take her business away if anyone asks questions about the project.

Each participant has her hair cut into two "boyish cuts" at a local hairdresser before it is trimmed. About eight people had taken part in the last six months.

The four-hour long process ends with their hair shaved close to the scalp, with videos and photographs taken throughout the process.

Hungarian backpacker, Emese, 32, said she responded to an advertisement placed on a backpacker messageboard offering up to $650 for her hair to be shaved off.

That advertisement asks for "highly committed and adventures [sic] female models aged between 18-40, who are willing to go short as part of an exciting hair makeover video project and a professional photo shoot".

"The video is to be sold to salons, stylists and many amateur hairdressers as an example of short and trendy hair fashion look."

Participants, who should be a female aged between 18-40, would be paid between $250-$650 after tax, but first had to send photos of themselves, a contact number and "an idea of how short you are willing to go".

The advertisement said the work would be "in our studio in George St". Yet it was in a salon in a different street, and the salon was paid by an unknown third party.

A similar advertisement appeared on Student Job Search in 2010, offering female students up to $700.

Emese, who was paid $750, said "I do not know exactly who is behind this".

She thought it was possibly for a hairdressing video, or perhaps an art project.

"It is a mystery."

She said it was one of the "weirdest things I have done", and it felt strange to have her hair shaved.

She planned to put the money towards her travels around New Zealand.