Confessions from Former Video Producers?

This is what I'd love to see here in this discussion forum: Confessions from a former video producer.

Just the real life stories, in other words, not edited or exaggerated to make a particular video seem more dramatic. This is why I think former video producers might be best for getting this kind of unfiltered reality. I've thought about whether you folks experience:

• Have models ever quit before a shoot is finished because it's more intense than they expected, and if so, how often, and what's that conversation like?
  
• Are there models who present themselves as if they're a lot more open to anything in advance of getting hired, (e.g. more extreme bondage, less clothes), but then suddenly become a lot more demanding and limited when they show up for the video, since they feel they already had the gig, and they think you want the video more than you'll stand by your original vision?
• If it were me, while I'd being perfectly upfront and clear about explaining what would happen in advance of the shoot, I might not want models to see videos of previous shoots with other models -- both because they'd have a more authentic reaction if they didn't know my exact style in advance, and also because another video with an intense reaction could possibly scare them off. But what percentage of models would insist on seeing previous videos? (It seemed clear the girls from the old TickleCentral bedspread series had not seen any of the other videos in the series, based on their conversation during the shoots.)
• Do you see a big difference between the newbies who you persuade to do their first tickling shoot, and a "regular" or porn star-type, who's done lots of fetish work? I'm thinking the difference would tend to be enormous, even though there are always exceptions. Generally, I'd expect the regulars to "perform," i.e. exaggerate more, while the newbies would be more real. Yes? But are newbies super hard to convince?
• Do you ask them to sign releases before or after the shoot? If it's before the shoot, do they push back against that without knowing yet how the shoot will go? If it's after the shoot, do they ever suddenly want to cross out, or change all the terms, since they now feel they have more power? (I had a model do this once with me on a mainstream photography shoot.)
  
• Did models ever contact you months or years after a shoot, begging you to take down a previously produced video, even though there was a signed release, because they now had a corporate job, conservative boyfriend, or some other reason? (This also happened to me with a different, non-ticklihg-related photo shoot.)
• What made you stop producing videos? I can think of lots of possible answers to this, but I'd like to hear real ones from former producers.
• If it were me, I can imagine giving up these productions for legit jobs or life... but then after a year or two, I'd run across a particular person and think, "Damn, maybe I can make one more video -- even just for myself? Although if I admit to this girl that the video is just for me to have fun -- that will sound super creepy. But since any producer has the right to not release a video, maybe I'll just tell her I'm shooting it for commercial release, and then later say I changed my mind about releasing it." Does this logic ring a bell to you?

I realize I started asking a bunch of specific questions... but I'd mostly just love to hear stories. As someone who's held more conservative type jobs, I have to live in the vicarious tickle video producer existence.

That would be a really interesting read.

•Have models ever quit before a shoot is finished because it's more intense than they expected, and if so, how often, and what's that conversation like?

I had 2 cases where they arrived, saw how they would be restrained, and decided not to shoot. And one where it was clear to me she was very unhappy with being tickled while shooting. I cut things short and paid her a pro-rated fee.

•Are there models who present themselves as if they're a lot more open to anything in advance of getting hired, (e.g. more extreme bondage, less clothes), but then suddenly become a lot more demanding and limited when they show up for the video, since they feel they already had the gig, and they think you want the video more than you'll stand by your original vision?

Two tried to press for not being tied up.

•If it were me, while I'd being perfectly upfront and clear about explaining what would happen in advance of the shoot, I might not want models to see videos of previous shoots with other models -- both because they'd have a more authentic reaction if they didn't know my exact style in advance, and also because another video with an intense reaction could possibly scare them off. But what percentage of models would insist on seeing previous videos? (It seemed clear the girls from the old TickleCentral bedspread series had not seen any of the other videos in the series, based on their conversation during the shoots.)

I am up front about what will happen and provide links to site.

•Do you see a big difference between the newbies who you persuade to do their first tickling shoot, and a "regular" or porn star-type, who's done lots of fetish work? I'm thinking the difference would tend to be enormous, even though there are always exceptions. Generally, I'd expect the regulars to "perform," i.e. exaggerate more, while the newbies would be more real. Yes? But are newbies super hard to convince?

Almost all the people I hired were newbies.

•Do you ask them to sign releases before or after the shoot? If it's before the shoot, do they push back against that without knowing yet how the shoot will go? If it's after the shoot, do they ever suddenly want to cross out, or change all the terms, since they now feel they have more power? (I had a model do this once with me on a mainstream photography shoot.)

Payment and signing of release is after the shoot. I would not expect someone to sign a release for content until they sure what the content was.

•Did models ever contact you months or years after a shoot, begging you to take down a previously produced video, even though there was a signed release, because they now had a corporate job, conservative boyfriend, or some other reason? (This also happened to me with a different, non-ticklihg-related photo shoot.)

Yes. I had not released the video yet. They had second thoughts a few days later. I agreed not to publish if they agreed to return $ I had paid them for the shoot. She returned the $ and I gave her the tapes.


•What made you stop producing videos? I can think of lots of possible answers to this, but I'd like to hear real ones from former producers.

Piracy.

Great post. I hope to read more from producers

I'll try to tell a few stories -

The closest I ever came to having a model bail on a video was when I was shooting with Courtney and Tovia. It was funny especially because they actively pursued us to have a video shoot (the only time that's ever happened as well) because they were short on their rent money.

But Courtney HATED being tickled, and by the time we reached her third clip, which called for her to be spread eagle in a bikini, she had had enough, so she shut herself in her room and literally just went to bed at like 1 in the afternooo. Tovia had to go into her room and talk her into finishing.

In her last clip, it opens with her trying to talk me into skipping her feet. She literally tries to bargain the rest of her body in exchange. It starts with me saying "I understand your desire to not have your feet tickled," which she correctly processed as me not making any promises. So after a brief pause, she goes "I mean, I'm SO ticklish everywhere else!" after which I just started the video, because I thought that tension belonged in the clip.

Which is what's sort of weird about the whole business - it's not really modeling or acting at all - it's being paid to undergo an actual experience. It would be like being paid to bungee jump or sky dive. You're going to do something scary and probably very intense, for money.

But other than that one time, I can't think of any models who tried to pull the plug in the moment. By the time it gets to that, they've already accepted what's going to happen, and they know themselves well enough to know that it's either going to be fun, because they don't mind being tickled, or it's going to fucking suck, and they knew it was going to suck when they got up that morning.

If you have the right energy and chemistry, and you're a fun person, even the ones who hate being tickled end up having a generally positive experience. And if you have bad energy, it's going to be a bad time no matter what.

I can't think of any difference between working with a professional, and working with a complete amateur, other than that amateurs are usually not comfortable with nudity, and professionals always are - sometimes once they take their clothes off, they don't even bother to put them back on because they're so comfortable in that state. Assuming you're cool and not a creep.

But other than that, it can go in any direction with any model - pros can be unconvincing, or unticklish, and so can amateurs. And because tickling is so... physiological, there's no amount of being comfortable in your body or whatever else a professional model might bring to the day, that will protect you once your body flips the hysteria switch.

Some of my most ticklish, most hysterical, silliest and most out of control models were girls who had done hardcore porn and were probably pretty jaded and cynical under other circumstances. It's one of the coolest things about tickling, the way it completely undermines the self control of the lee. It's on a whole other level from things like orgasm control or spanking, in that regard.

As for releases, I would always want it before hand, because you're going to tie someone up and do things to them. You'd want it established, legally, in advance that they knew what was going to happen. I used to have them record a little thing on the same recording that their video was on, describing in advance what we were about to do. Also I would never personally have filmed something if I didn't know I was going to have the rights to it.

Some models want to see a video in advance, others don't seem to. But if they do, I don't see how you could reasonably decline - I mean, you're asking to tie them up and handle their bodies. It's pretty reasonable if they want to see, and I'd imagine it would set off major warning bells if you tell them they don't get to know in advance what's going to happen to them. Or at minimum, you'd be drawing from a much smaller pool of recklessly adventurous model

I've never had a model ask to take something down, although one girl contacted me years later to ask for a copy of her videos, just to see her teenage self doing something crazy while she was in college

Thought might jump in here and help the cause Speaking from personal as well as my hubby who was doing this LONG before me lol but here goes

**Have models ever quit before a shoot is finished because it's more intense than they expected, and if so, how often, and what's that conversation like?
Never happened here. We have however had models that came in and weren't ticklish enough to even finish a shoot,,but we always bite the bullet and pay them anyways,,a lot of the time feel like it may be nerves because we almost always deal with everyday women who have never heard of such a thing but think it sounds fun!

**Are there models who present themselves as if they're a lot more open to anything in advance of getting hired, (e.g. more extreme bondage, less clothes), but then suddenly become a lot more demanding and limited when they show up for the video, since they feel they already had the gig, and they think you want the video more than you'll stand by your original vision?
This isn't something that happens around here,,Very straightforward upfront so they know exactly whats going to happen..We now have a standing rule that NO appointments are set without actual PHONE contact,,due to too many scammers and what we think are probably guys trying to just waste time with messages and whatever,,in one case a guy was acting like his wife who had NO idea what he was doing, so we speak to them first and if we get a scam vide we politely opt out of having them in,,we used to always get a lot of " this is great ill be coming in" and BOOM, all setup and complete no show no call,,thats a real kick in the butt for us

**But what percentage of models would insist on seeing previous videos? (It seemed clear the girls from the old TickleCentral bedspread series had not seen any of the other videos in the series, based on their conversation during the shoots.)
Some have asked but personally not too many,,for a few we have made small sample clips or pics from a shoot but thats about it,,overtime the responses were " wow, looks fun"



**Do you see a big difference between the newbies who you persuade to do their first tickling shoot, and a "regular" or porn star-type, who's done lots of fetish work? I'm thinking the difference would tend to be enormous, even though there are always exceptions. Generally, I'd expect the regulars to "perform," i.e. exaggerate more, while the newbies would be more real. Yes? But are newbies super hard to convince?
80% Newcomers here,,most of the experienced ones we have had in here are pretty cool and down to earth,,i think the only difference would be feeling a little more comfortable with someone who has done this before,,a lot of times with newcomers, theres a little bit of hoping your not worrying or scaring them by them seeing the tie ups or the stocks,,but that soon fades when they see its all just fun and just tickling



**Do you ask them to sign releases before or after the shoot? If it's before the shoot, do they push back against that without knowing yet how the shoot will go? If it's after the shoot, do they ever suddenly want to cross out, or change all the terms, since they now feel they have more power? (I had a model do this once with me on a mainstream photography shoot.)
They all sign a release here B4 the shoot,,we also have a little sit-down and discuss the project and answer any questions,,get a feel for them and try to make things a bit more comfy before" ok now lets go get tickle tortured LOL"


Did models ever contact you months or years after a shoot, begging you to take down a previously produced video, even though there was a signed release, because they now had a corporate job, conservative boyfriend, or some other reason? (This also happened to me with a different, non-ticklihg-related photo shoot.)
Yes,, and we gladly removed the material,,a bad relationship situation..

**What made you stop producing videos? I can think of lots of possible answers to this, but I'd like to hear real ones from former producers.
Well piracy for sure is like getting punched in the stomach when you see it first hand,, but usually the times we have slowed or stopped was just timing and life moving along,,we get busy and the tickling vid biz just gets put on hold,,Cman mentioned b4 that he quit for awhile due to a relationship he was in,,just wasn't comfortable producing them given his situation

In a nutshell as long as we are enjoying making these and theres more of a plus than a negative we will continue to make clips,,of coarse there are times that make you think, " why are we doing this" models bailing,,no shows,,no calls when they are supposed to be coming in,,the endless hours of simple editing and trying to make these things presentable, you can't always go in unedited because most of the time we are having real life discussions during the shoots and that can't be on tape or on the net ...for those of us who are only semi techy its a lot of work,,i know a lot of people think this should be easy but believe me its NOT,,its truly work,,fun but work,,,well, hope that gives y'all a little insight into the clip biz i appreciate ALL of you..if you ever have any questions feel free to reach out and just ask

I think it would mostly be the same answers even if I were actively producing though lol

[*]Have models ever quit before a shoot is finished because it's more intense than they expected, and if so, how often, and what's that conversation like?

- My second tickle shoot with Elisa - about 2 minutes in she called quits. She basically said she hated being tickled and it wasn't enough money to go through it! This was before I had refined my casting and pre-shoot communication. I ended up shooting foot fetish material. I don't recall another instance where a model tapped out before the shoot ended.

[*]Are there models who present themselves as if they're a lot more open to anything in advance of getting hired, (e.g. more extreme bondage, less clothes), but then suddenly become a lot more demanding and limited when they show up for the video, since they feel they already had the gig, and they think you want the video more than you'll stand by your original vision?

- There are definitely some models who've shown up with a sense of entitlement due to the "I'm the talent, this can't happen without me" mentality. I can't think of any bait n switches though. Most would just really want to do a good job. Some of that would happen PRIOR to the shoot though and I almost always never worked with those models. I never shot any nudity, but oddly enough the opposite has happened a handful of times, where they were willing to "do more", but that's a strict NOPE on my part.

[*]But what percentage of models would insist on seeing previous videos?

- I'm quite comprehensive in the communication and information I provide prior to confirming a shoot. I'm not sure what percentage would insist, because in my first response I would include my reference site, pictures and links to previous work. I CAN tell you a good percentage.. at least 25% NEVER bothered to check ANY of those things.

[*]Do you see a big difference between the newbies who you persuade to do their first tickling shoot, and a "regular" or porn star-type, who's done lots of fetish work? I'm thinking the difference would tend to be enormous, even though there are always exceptions. Generally, I'd expect the regulars to "perform," i.e. exaggerate more, while the newbies would be more real. Yes? But are newbies super hard to convince?

- I'm probably 90-95% amateur/non-fetish. I believe I've only worked with 4 models who had done tickle fetish work prior to shooting with me. The only difference I've ever perceived is they actually KNEW what was coming and so there would be a bit more begging or chagrin. But what's interesting is even having prior experience, and in the case of Scarlett Storm having a LOT of experience, there's an element of it that's still unknown because different producers have different formats or styles, etc. I wouldn't say either had more "real" reactions in my experience. I've never really tried to "convince" anyone to shoot. But one of the most effective ways to recruit is for a friend to come with a model. They laugh as much as their friend getting tickled and think it's kinda fun.

[*]Do you ask them to sign releases before or after the shoot? If it's before the shoot, do they push back against that without knowing yet how the shoot will go? If it's after the shoot, do they ever suddenly want to cross out, or change all the terms, since they now feel they have more power? (I had a model do this once with me on a mainstream photography shoot.)

- Release signing with ID occurs right at the beginning. I also do a sitdown at the beginning, and go over any questions and explain the shoot's progression.
Never had anyone wish to cross out. Some want to make sure their real name will not be used.

[*]Did models ever contact you months or years after a shoot, begging you to take down a previously produced video, even though there was a signed release, because they now had a corporate job, conservative boyfriend, or some other reason? (This also happened to me with a different, non-ticklihg-related photo shoot.)

- Only once did a model contact me for this, except it was about an hour after the shoot wrapped! She stated she'd return the money. I asked that we speak to discuss and she never responded. 2 months later she contacted me to schedule another shoot, and I confirmed she was actually ok with the release of materials.

[*]What made you stop producing videos? I can think of lots of possible answers to this, but I'd like to hear real ones from former producers.

It wasn't one thing. Piracy and specifically the monetizing of pirated clips is certainly a factor. Customers unwillingness to buy direct is another. My fav friend/models moving away and outgrowing the shoots is another. Declining appreciation is another. My personal opinion the negative impact on casting brought on by "Tickled" documentary is another. Increase in the already substantial lack of dependability in models probably put it over the top for me. Mostly I guess it just wasn't much fun any more. Felt like the time was better spent doing other things.

[*]If it were me, I can imagine giving up these productions for legit jobs or life... but then after a year or two, I'd run across a particular person and think, "Damn, maybe I can make one more video -- even just for myself? Although if I admit to this girl that the video is just for me to have fun -- that will sound super creepy. But since any producer has the right to not release a video, maybe I'll just tell her I'm shooting it for commercial release, and then later say I changed my mind about releasing it." Does this logic ring a bell to you?
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Producing was something I always did on the side of my full time govt job. I haven't officially OFFICIALLY stopped. I just say I'm on hiatus which may become permanent. Though I haven't shot anything since July of last year, I've had several pals reach out, so who knows?

Great discussions and thread! Thanks to all for starting and contributing! What an amazing glimpse into the behind the scenes world of tickling videos! Fascinating!

laughtermech said:

Great discussions and thread! Thanks to all for starting and contributing! What an amazing glimpse into the behind the scenes world of tickling videos! Fascinating!

Click to expand...

I agree

[*]Have models ever quit before a shoot is finished because it's more intense than they expected, and if so, how often, and what's that conversation like?

Since I work with a lot of amateurs I have dealt with this a good amount of it being more intense then they expected. Its not super often but I would say 2 out of 5 are not prepared for it and I have to tone the shoot down until they are comfortable. As per leaving before a shoot is finished I have had it happen once with Rosie. She was shooting a custom and then had to have her armpits licked. One lick and the tears starting running and she could not do it so we ended the shoot. It was not bad after she just said that it was a new hard limit for her. Once however in the beginning of my shoots I finalized a shoot with a model and the moment she was untied she took off running. She came back with her bf 10 min later and just said it was too much for her but we had finished. She never came back though. I have had one model who could do foot fetish work but could not be tickled for a really sad reason *VERY SAD STORY ALERT* To make it quick she started crying and laughing at the same time and it through me off so I stopped and untied her. She said nothing just kept crying and hugged me. After she calmed down she told me that when she was younger she was Ra#^& by an uncle and to keep her from crying he tickled her so it was traumatic. She did not tell me because she wanted to overcome it yet could not. I still talk to the model and she wants to try again with a female ler but for me I am just not there yet comfort wise.


[*]Are there models who present themselves as if they're a lot more open to anything in advance of getting hired, (e.g. more extreme bondage, less clothes), but then suddenly become a lot more demanding and limited when they show up for the video, since they feel they already had the gig, and they think you want the video more than you'll stand by your original vision?

O GOD YES. Monica. I love the girl as a friend but as a model she would be a Diva when she realized her popularity. She would demand more money and it just was not cool at all because other models would get upset. So I benched her and now she is retired and that makes me happy tbh because we get to focus on new models. 2 other models that are professional and do this was Joey and Sunshine who made other models extremely uncomfortable on set causing them to under perform.


[*]If it were me, while I'd being perfectly upfront and clear about explaining what would happen in advance of the shoot, I might not want models to see videos of previous shoots with other models -- both because they'd have a more authentic reaction if they didn't know my exact style in advance, and also because another video with an intense reaction could possibly scare them off. But what percentage of models would insist on seeing previous videos? (It seemed clear the girls from the old TickleCentral bedspread series had not seen any of the other videos in the series, based on their conversation during the shoots.)

I am super upfront now about the shoots and send essays to models about what I do, pay, ref, etc. This helps for amateurs because they feel safe the more legit. Now in the beginning it was harder and I would send more vanilla styled photos or pictures and on shoot day would let them choose between the more intense or easy style and most actually chose the more intense shoots. I think a lot of the vanilla models I worked with were more interested in the bondage than the tickling.


[*]Do you see a big difference between the newbies who you persuade to do their first tickling shoot, and a "regular" or porn star-type, who's done lots of fetish work? I'm thinking the difference would tend to be enormous, even though there are always exceptions. Generally, I'd expect the regulars to "perform," i.e. exaggerate more, while the newbies would be more real. Yes? But are newbies super hard to convince?

Newbies are meh. It depends. Some see the money and immediately are just down vs pros can actually haggle you more. Most pros are awesome when they work in the past for tickling but you do get a less convincing reaction vs newbies are 100% giving you a "holy shit this is new" reaction. But there are huge differences in them but I have worked with pros who never did tickling just porn and foot stuff and when the tickling is involved they change super quick.


[*]Do you ask them to sign releases before or after the shoot? If it's before the shoot, do they push back against that without knowing yet how the shoot will go? If it's after the shoot, do they ever suddenly want to cross out, or change all the terms, since they now feel they have more power? (I had a model do this once with me on a mainstream photography shoot.)

Always after. but I do check ID before tying up. But after you sign and I pay thats it. If you wanna adjust anything I will delete the footage pay you nothing and boom. With my standard photography shoots I always get them to sign before they even touch the set but thats a whole different genre.



[*]Did models ever contact you months or years after a shoot, begging you to take down a previously produced video, even though there was a signed release, because they now had a corporate job, conservative boyfriend, or some other reason? (This also happened to me with a different, non-ticklihg-related photo shoot.)

Yep. Constantly at least 4 times a year. Some I am kind to if they approach kindly but I have gotten into huge fights and arguments with models who get with a dickhead bf and tell him and he freaks out. So then I hit them with the release and tell them they need to pay me to remove it. Its really annoying but its case by case. One model I removed because she was in a custody battle. I removed everything immediately vs a model began an acting career and 2 weeks after shooting began spamming me and even had a lawyer contact me but the release or even the interviews protect you a lot. That situation pissed me off because that model legit had the fetish and I felt used for a free session.


[*]What made you stop producing videos? I can think of lots of possible answers to this, but I'd like to hear real ones from former producers.

I obv still produce but I have taken breaks. For me its life and depression. Piracy really hits you especially when I got over 10 models call me crying because they end up on PH and someone they know somehow sees it and then I have to calm them down but I lose a friend. This all caused a huge strain on me and its why I am more reluctant hiring friends and people close to me even though they ask.


[*]If it were me, I can imagine giving up these productions for legit jobs or life... but then after a year or two, I'd run across a particular person and think, "Damn, maybe I can make one more video -- even just for myself? Although if I admit to this girl that the video is just for me to have fun -- that will sound super creepy. But since any producer has the right to not release a video, maybe I'll just tell her I'm shooting it for commercial release, and then later say I changed my mind about releasing it." Does this logic ring a bell to you?

As a producer and a saggitarius I am always looking for talent. Even when on breaks I could see it, sometimes you can even hear the laugh but at the same time as a producer you need to think "is this person going to cause drama? will they sell well? is it worth my time?" etc etc. The better a model does the more likely you will have to fight piracy. I know when I retire, that will be it. I won't come back. Its a very taxing and exhausting job.