Using a Teleprompter

An Autocue or Teleprompter is an amazing tool for the presenter, it enables the presenter to appear to be speaking in full flow without actually having to learn any lines.

The Autocue consists of a monitor which is located underneath the lens of the camera. When looking into the monitor directly you will notice that the writing is backwards. Positioned above the monitor is an angled mirror which the lens can see through. When the Autocue begins, the writing from the monitor is reflected in the mirror the correct way round. The Autocue is operated by an Operator who scrolls the text up or down depending on how the words are spoken.

When reading the Autocue you will notice that the writing is quite large this is because the Presenter may be several metres from the camera. The size of the writing can be adjusted to suit the Presenter. It is a good idea to read through the script prior to shooting, this will give you a feel for the style and will allow you to change words to suit your style.

A common mistake is made by Presenters who read to quickly for fear that the script will scroll up before they have had chance to finish the sentence. The faster or slower you read, the faster or slower the script will go.

A good Autocue Operator will always keep up with the Presenter. Never stop reading the script as the Autocue will also stop. Also never ad-lib without speaking to the production team as the operator will think they have the wrong script and begin to search by scrolling through the text for the new script, you will suddenly become very unpopular!

Always read the script just above the middle of the screen. Read clearly and do not rush. By reading from the middle of the screen gives you a few words to gauge the next sentence above.