Advice on starting a TICKLING COMPANY???

[HallowedGround5]

Hey everyone! I am seriously considering starting a tickling company. I would love to hear some suggestions, from anyone who has started one, or hasn't. Also, I would love to know what YOU would want, from a new tickling company. What kind of stuff would you like to see? What would be new and exciting?

Here are my present assets:

1. Full 1980P HD Camcorder, with surround sound capture
2. Apple Computer, capable of processing HD Video
3. Connections in the entertainment industry (Hollywood)
4. Experience filming documentaries and videos
5. A great knowledge of Social Media and SEO/Marketing
6. A desire to do something ground-breaking
7. A genuine love for tickling (for as long as I can remember)

Thanks in advance!!! 🙂

 

[ViperGTS]

My first recommendation (if you do have a genuine interest in tickling, as you say) would be to spend some more time here. Socialize, view other producer's work, get to know your audience. Become a part of the community you wish to serve, then work from there.

Know your customers, and they will know your work.

 

[Comfort Eagle]

What kind of camera do most of you recommend?

 

[ViperGTS]

Whatever camera will provide you with the best quality video and audio, and is the easiest for you to work with in post-production.

Some producers go so far as to have an independent audio system as well.

 

[Comfort Eagle]

Oh Jesus.

 

[ViperGTS]

What?

 

[Comfort Eagle]

Some producers go so far as to have an independent audio system as well.

Quite elaborate there.

What do you use? You have high quality stuff.

 

[ViperGTS]

If you'd like for me to elaborate, please say so, instead of spewing sarcasm.

What you need to understand is that there are quite literally hundreds of choices when it comes to recording equipment. Sony is my personal preference, but that's just because it's what I've been using since I got started a couple years ago.

And, for the record, I don't have the highest quality equipment there is to buy. I'm hoping to upgrade soon to a high definition camera, hopefuly before February, so that I can catch up to the other producers who are using HD equipment already. I'm currently only using standard definition equipment, and the video quality is kept high because I have somewhat comfortable knowledge of set lighting.

Just because you have the right high quality equipment doesn't mean you can jump right into making videos. That's only the beginning. Media production knowledge, knowing your target market, and experience in marketing are just as important.

 

[Comfort Eagle]

If you'd like for me to elaborate, please say so, instead of spewing sarcasm.

I wasn't.

What you need to understand is that there are quite literally hundreds of choices when it comes to recording equipment. Sony is my personal preference, but that's just because it's what I've been using since I got started a couple years ago.

Do you think something along the lines of a handycam would work ok? I've never really been thought about making sure the sounds was great when using one before and as such really never thought about it anytime I used one, but obviously with tickling videos sounds really important. Any knowledge on that?

 

[ViperGTS]

You need to look into other user reviews on the products. A larger sensor is important, as well as good quality playback. Some of the smaller, cheaper handicams will give you a lot of video "noise" (pixellation and low saturation, especially in darker settings) which can be avoided with proper lighting.

The less money you spend on equipment, the more overall skill you must have to counter the lower quality, as a rule of thumb. Any camera can work well for you, if you know how to use it.

Personally, when I lookinto upgrading, I may be looking into the larger 'professional' cameras, myself.

 

[Flatfoot]

How do you legally protect yourself as far as acquiring your talent?

Do you have them sign release forms, and if so, do you draft them up yourself, or do you get legal counsel?

Do you keep copies of their ID on record?

Could the legal aspect be something that varies from state to state?

How does one handle potential noise complaints from neighbors, should the police stop by for a visit? 😕

Do you negotiate payment, or do you have a set rate?

I'm not even trying to start a company, I'm just a geek for information.

 

[ViperGTS]

Release forms. Spell out everything - time of shoot, content, intention of use, and payment. EVERYTHING.

Drawing them up yourself is ok if you know how to fill in loopholes.

Yes.

Yes.

Having cool neighbors helps. Also, curtains on the wall can both be more aesthetic and help to dampen the noise.

Payment can be a standard or something you negotiate - you have to find what works best for you and the type of models you want to hire.

 

[HallowedGround5]

Reply to Viper's Advice

Thank-you very much for your advice. I agree that it is so important to know your customers. I have been a member on this site, for years. I joined at a relatively young age; and, I guess I have been in the shadows, mostly. Haha.

Also, I think Sony makes great cameras too. I have a HD Sony Camcorder. It works wonderfully.

 

[ViperGTS]

Ah, allright. A lurker, then. Welcome aboard, again, lol.

What model camera do you have, and what did you pay for it? As I mentioned, I am in the market for a new camera, and I'm trying to find a good quality/pricepoint balance.

 

[HallowedGround5]

Ah, allright. A lurker, then. Welcome aboard, again, lol.

What model camera do you have, and what did you pay for it? As I mentioned, I am in the market for a new camera, and I'm trying to find a good quality/pricepoint balance.

I have a Sony HD SR12. It has a 120GB Hard Drive. I paid about $1400, for it and a case. I would definitely recommend. The only drawback, is that it can not record in 24 frames per second. Canon makes a similar camcorder, which is around the same price and records at 24fps. The exact model escapes me, at the moment.

 

[ViperGTS]

Ah, you need it to record in PAL format. That stinks, because the framerate loss when rendering from NTSC to PAL is a pain in the ass if it isn't done right.

 

[poopies]

Starting a tickling company is a lot like trying to start your own bootlegging business in the 1920s. Remember to buy a tommy gun.

 

[HallowedGround5]

Ah, you need it to record in PAL format. That stinks, because the framerate loss when rendering from NTSC to PAL is a pain in the ass if it isn't done right.

I'm not sure what the reason for recording in PAL format would be. I know the quality is better, and what not; but, I plan on exporting all the movies in H.264 format. I won't sell anything on DVD either. It will all be done digitally.

 

[ViperGTS]

I just assumed that since you said you have a 24fps recorder.

 

[TickleLikeCrazy]

Best of luck if you go ahead. Sounds like very good advice from ViperGTS. Interesting stuff!

 

[ftmench]

Here ya go....First get willing beautiful willing 'lees and then...well...I guess that's it.
Hope that helps.
D

 

[arrgui97]

I have a Sony HD SR12. It has a 120GB Hard Drive. I paid about $1400, for it and a case. I would definitely recommend. The only drawback, is that it can not record in 24 frames per second. Canon makes a similar camcorder, which is around the same price and records at 24fps. The exact model escapes me, at the moment.

I feel like we're the same person. I too joined at a young age. I have a Sony HD camera that I got for about 1600. And, I posted a few weeks ago about trying to start my own company.

Film Major in college as well? Haha

 

[HallowedGround5]

I feel like we're the same person. I too joined at a young age. I have a Sony HD camera that I got for about 1600. And, I posted a few weeks ago about trying to start my own company.

Film Major in college as well? Haha

Hahaha! That's crazy. Actually, I am an English major. Although, I have changed majors before. You know how it is. I do some film stuff, on the side, not related to TK.

 

[chrisheaven]

wishing you all the very best with your new venture

 

[mabus]

I'm going to agree and disagree with Viper at the same time - yes, do come here and get a feel for what people want. People like me and many others like pantyhose tickling. Many like bare foot tickling. A few like sock tickling. If you only did sock tickling, you may not have as many sales than if you did pantyhose or bare foot tickling.... You can also get a good feel for just the place, and be in touch regularly with the customers.

But also go away - do research, go to the bookstore, read magazines, photography books. Do something DIFFERENT!

Many of the video companies end up all doing the same thing, over and over. Just breeze through a few companies, and you'll notice positions are repeated again and again. I understand there's so many positions to use, but after a while, you can't really tell who is even getting tickled.
Video 1 has a girl tied to bed, guy jumps on her and tickles her like a maniac. Video 2 has girl tied to bed, guy jumps on her and tickles her like a maniac. Video 487 has girl tied to bed, guy jumps on her and tickles her like a maniac!!
And when all the girls are screamers, you stop caring if he's tickling Julie or Barbara or whoever, the models just start blending together......
You'll see a lot of movie sequels have this problem. Filmmakers will sadly listen to fans, and just repeat what they've done in the past, instead of giving us something different. No fans, Han Solo doesn't need to be in the Star Wars prequels, it's unnecessary....

Render the final videos in full screen super high quality format. So many compaies STILL render their final product in small screen format, and sell it for what other companies sell DVD quality stuff for. Tickling Paradise is the biggest culprit. They offer a 39 MB, fuzzy, low quality clip for $12, while Czech Ticklish Girls offers, now, a full screen HD clip that's 100 MB or more, for $6 or $7......

And on an important note - today is Halloween. Tomorrow, costumes go on sale. If you wish to have witches or genies or pirates of nurses tickled, now is the time to buy some outfits for cheap!