Teleprompt, sometimes called autocue, is a device that lets you look at camera while reading scrolling text.

Everyone uses a prompt, from politicians to news broadcasters to the cast on a soap.

In a corporate video production, if a speech is required to be made to camera, then it's asking a lot to expect the subject to remember a whole speech.

This is where a teleprompt comes in handy. No one has to remember anything, and everything can be read off a screen.

It allows a corporate amateur to make a polished professional presentation.

Teleprompts make life easy.

reading speed

With a prompt, there's also the opportunity for the speaker to perform a number of reads. Maybe fast and slow, or calm and excited, or still and with gestures.

Taking different reads is good as it will usually result in one style of read that really works for that particular speaker.

It's hard to predict in advance what anyone's best style is. This is why a read with a number of variations is such a good idea.

set up

It takes time to set up a camera on location with a prompt.

Allow an extra 30 minutes to rig in an office or boardroom. And another 30 minutes to de-rig once the shoot is over.

So allow extra time for teleprompt.

As a guide, one speaker to camera using a prompt can take half a morning.

So if you have two or more speakers, it's best to do them all in the one location to save time. This is a bit like a conveyor belt, but it will save time and money.

cost

How much does a teleprompt cost to hire?

Well it can add £400 per day to a shoot which isn't cheap. But with some companies, for example Rossiter & Co, it can be free, as part of the service. So shop around.

summary

A teleprompt allows amateurs to make a professional presentation to camera.

Variations on the read can be done easily.

It takes extra time to rig.

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