Tickled (2016) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A journalist's investigation into competitive endurance tickling uncovers a web of coercion, legal threats, and a hidden mastermind.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Curious Reporter

David Farrier, a reporter for quirky stories, discovers competitive endurance tickling videos and requests an interview with Jane O'Brien Media, receiving a hostile homophobic response that ignites his curiosity.

Key Events

• Farrier's Quirky Beat — Farrier reports on quirky and odd stories for television. Location: New Zealand
• Tickling Videos Discovered — Farrier encounters competitive endurance tickling videos online. Location: New Zealand
• Interview Request Sent — Farrier requests an interview with Jane O'Brien Media. Location: New Zealand
• Hostile Email Response — Jane O'Brien Media refuses, calling Farrier a 'homosexual journalist'. Location: New Zealand

Legal Bullying

After their blog posts go viral, Farrier and Reeve face legal threats and a bullying visit from Kevin Clarke. They follow the representatives to Los Angeles but are turned away at the recording location.

Key Events

• Partnership with Reeve — Farrier teams up with producer Dylan Reeve to investigate. Location: New Zealand
• Blog Posts Go Viral — Their initial blog posts about the story attract wide attention. Location: New Zealand
• Legal Threats Arrive — Jane O'Brien Media sends legal threats via Kevin Clarke. Location: New Zealand
• New Zealand Meeting — Clarke and reps meet the investigators with superficial cordiality. Location: New Zealand
• Following Reps to LA — Farrier and Reeve follow the reps to a recording location. Location: Los Angeles
• Turned Away at the Door — They are refused entry at the apparent video recording site. Location: Los Angeles recording location

Unmasking the Pioneer

The investigators research Terri DiSisto, interview independent producer Richard Ivey, and hear harrowing stories of coercion and defamation from former participants.

Key Events

• Researching Terri DiSisto — They uncover the pioneer 'Terri Tickle' behind 1990s tickling videos. Location: New Zealand
• Interview with Richard Ivey — Ivey discusses his low-key tickling video operations and homoerotic aspect. Location: Ivey's location
• Victims Describe Coercion — Former participants recount defamation and manipulation by producers. Location: Various locations
• Muskegon Recruiter's Auditions — A local recruiter describes unauthorized publication of auditions. Location: Muskegon, Michigan
• Defunct Tickling Website Found — They discover documents on a defunct tickling video web site. Location: Online

The Mastermind Exposed

Documents link Jane O'Brien Media to David D'Amato, revealing his criminal past, his alias as Terri Tickle, and his inheritance-funded lifestyle.

Key Events

• Defunct Tickling Website Found — They discover documents on a defunct tickling video web site. Location: Online
• Documents Link to D'Amato — Web documents connect Jane O'Brien Media to David D'Amato. Location: New Zealand
• Prior Journalists' Investigation — Two journalists who investigated Terri DiSisto share their findings. Location: New Zealand
• Criminal Past Revealed — D'Amato served six months for disabling university computer systems. Location: New Zealand
• Inheritance Discovered — They learn D'Amato lives on his father's substantial inheritance. Location: New Zealand

Confrontation and Dread

Farrier and Reeve confront D'Amato on the street, receiving more legal threats. A call to his stepmother ends with her chilling admission that she is afraid of him.

Key Events

• Street Confrontation — Farrier and Reeve confront D'Amato; he issues legal threats. Location: Street
• Contacting the Stepmother — Farrier calls D'Amato's stepmother for comment on his past. Location: Phone call
• Stepmother's Fear — She says she is 'afraid' of D'Amato, confirming his menace. Location: Phone call

Story Breakdown

• Discovery of the Phenomenon — Farrier stumbles upon tickling videos and faces a hostile reaction.
  • Competitive Endurance Tickling — Videos of restrained young men being tickled.
  • Hostile Email Rejection — Jane O'Brien Media refuses to associate with a 'homosexual journalist'.
• Teaming Up with Reeve — Farrier partners with Dylan Reeve to investigate the mysterious producers.
  • Viral Blog Posts — Their initial posts attract widespread attention.
  • Legal Threats — Jane O'Brien Media responds with intimidation.
• The Bullying Campaign — Company representatives try to pressure the investigators into dropping the story.
  • New Zealand Meeting — Superficially cordial but threatening encounter.
  • Los Angeles Dead End — Investigators turned away at the recording location.
• Uncovering the Industry — Research reveals the darker side of the tickling video world.
  • Interview with Richard Ivey — An independent producer discusses the industry.
  • Victim Testimonies — Former participants describe coercion and defamation.
• The Mastermind Revealed — Documents expose David D'Amato behind the Terri Tickle alias.
  • Web Documents Link — Defunct website connects Jane O'Brien Media to D'Amato.
  • Criminal History — D'Amato served prison time for disabling university computers.
• Final Confrontation — Farrier faces D'Amato and receives a chilling confirmation.
  • Street Confrontation — D'Amato responds with legal threats.
  • Stepmother's Fear — She admits she is afraid of D'Amato.

Directed by

David Farrier, Dylan Reeve

Key Cast

• David Farrier — Self
• Dylan Reeve — Self
• David Starr — Self
• Hal Karp — Self
• Kevin Clarke — Self