Teleprompter
What is a teleprompter?
A teleprompter is a display device that prompts the person speaking on camera with an electronic visual text of a speech or script. It’s designed to let speakers maintain direct eye contact with their audience without having to memorize long speeches or scripts.
The term 'teleprompter' was initially a trade name, but it has since become a generic term used to describe such devices. The technology has evolved over the years; modern teleprompters are digital and often integrated with other software.
Uses of teleprompters
Television broadcasting
Teleprompters are most commonly used in the field of television broadcasting. News anchors and TV show hosts use them to deliver news and program content effortlessly. Show hosts can read the script while looking directly into the camera, giving viewers the impression that the host is talking directly to them.
Teleprompters are also used in scripted television shows and films, especially for long or complex dialogues. Actors can rely on teleprompters to deliver their lines in an accurate, natural way, which helps the production in the long run.
Public speaking and presentations
Public speakers, including politicians and corporate leaders, often use teleprompters during live speeches and presentations. The device allows them to deliver their message effectively without referring to notes or a script.
Teleprompters are also used in educational lectures or seminars, where the presenter needs to deliver lots of information in an accurate and timely fashion. They help maintain a smooth flow of speech, which can help the audience better understand and retain the material.
Types of teleprompters
Camera-mounted teleprompters
This is the most common type of teleprompter. They’re mounted directly onto the camera and reflect the text off a beam-splitter mirror placed in front of the camera lens. The speaker looks directly into the camera while reading the text, which appears directly next to the camera on the teleprompter.
Camera-mounted teleprompters are widely used in live television broadcasting and film production. They come in many different sizes, with larger ones being used with studio cameras and smaller ones with portable cameras.
Presidential teleprompters
Named after their frequent use by U.S. Presidents, these teleprompters are usually one or two glass panels placed on either side of a speaker’s podium. The text is projected onto the glass from a monitor at the base, allowing the speaker to read the speech while maintaining eye contact with the audience.
Presidential teleprompters are commonly used for speeches and presentations in front of a live audience. They’re covert and unobtrusive by design, which is why the teleprompter’s glass panels often go unnoticed by the audience.
How teleprompters work
Most modern teleprompters display a mirror image of a script’s text on a transparent glass screen. The text is usually controlled by a teleprompter operator, who adjusts the speed of the text to match the speaker's delivery.
The show script is displayed in a clear, easy-to-read font on the teleprompter and can be customized in terms of size and speed. This way, the speaker can read the text comfortably while maintaining a natural pace and rhythm in their speech.