Here are our options:

A teleprompter is essential for delivering precise dialogue and it helps your subject/talent get the script right. While you’ll find not everyone can authentically read from a teleprompter, others make it happen naturally.

A through the lens teleprompter reflects the script onto a see through mirror placed in front of the camera lens so the talent can look directly into the mirror, see the script scrolling and read it, but the camera (on the other side of the mirror) sees through the reflected script without the script being visible to the camera. The result is that the talent can read the script and look directly into the lens of the camera.

In contrast, cue cards that would have to be below or to the side of the camera and teleprompters that are not “through the lens”, require the talent to look, not at the lens, but below or beside it. This can be a problem and unnatural, especially if the talents eyes are darting around. The elegant solution… a “through the lens” teleprompter.

Why you will want a dedicated teleprompter operator.

To scroll the script in sync with the talent. That way, the camera operator can focus on the performance, camera framing, etc. Not that it can’t be done with one, it’s just a lot to expect… believe me I’ve tried!

Do it yourself?

We actually do have a self prompting program that can scroll the script automatically and it works great. But in my experience, the best way is with a dedicated teleprompter operator.

Our Teleprompter.

We have a compact and portable teleprompter that mounts to your tripod. Your camera then attaches within the teleprompter’s mounting system. The camera lens is surrounded with a cowl up to the two way mirror to shade behind mirror and keep reflections from lights out of the lens. Building up this setup is straightforward and intuitive to many, but could be daunting to others, so we recommend hiring our operator to assist, assemble and operate the teleprompter, but if you are up to the challenge, we can give you a tutorial as well.

The system consists of hardware to attach to the tripos, then you build up the rails, mounting shoe, glass and monitor. This system utilizes an LCD monitor to originate script visually, and if you are doing it, you will need to connect it to a laptop with the prompting software installed and the script loaded.

Because of the weight distribution, centering all of this on your tripod is imperative and you must use a sturdy tripod that is heavy enough to handle the weight and still be able to pan and tilt.

For larger jobs, we work with Lights on KC and can also provide an operator for their larger Autocue Teleprompter system.

Call us to discuss or to reserve our teleprompter for your job.