Anyone using a Teleprompter?

J

jrod81

Veteran
I am shooting something next week and the lawyer that I am interviewing wants his script to be right in front of the lens so he can look directly into the camera... is there a teleprompter option for the DSLR crowd or should I just find one that meets the budget on BH.
thanks
jared
 
additionally I have an HMC150 that I will use from time to time so i'd like to find a prompter that would work well for both cameras
 
generally telepromters are universal as far as cameras go. It is basicly just a two way mirror.

I would just go with one that fits your budget.
 
you can use teleprompter software on your computer, but if he wants to look directly into the lens and not directly below the lens, you will have to get a teleprompter mirror. They aren't cheap. Look into renting one. Or convince the client to look just below the lens.
 
I actually use one of these, and they're super simple, cheap and work great!

http://www.telepromptermirrors.com/buyteleprompter.htm

You could probably build one DIY pretty easily, its just a pane of glass on a hinge at 45 degree angle, and a black sheet behind it that keeps the light going only one direction (by blocking any light coming from around the camera).

I just figured that for $100, I wasn't going to bother building one myself.
Then, all you do is run the software on a laptop or LCD monitor placed horizontally, put the camera behind it wrapped in the curtain, and the talent can read the reflection (the software lets you flip the text backwards so the mirror is accurate), and the camera does not see it. So, they are essentially reading off the camera lens. Awesome stuff.
 
I have a teleprompter, havent used it yet, thinking about useing its glass to make a HDR video rig, too lazy tho.
 
Google for something like "prompter people" - there's a company that makes them starting at around a grand as I recall. Also, Ikan makes an $800 model called the "small form teleprompter" - it's not tiny like the iPhone mods would be though, looks useful.
 
I've also hired a teleprompter through a company. They charged me $800. Sounds like buying your own gear might be a good investment if you are doing this stuff long term.
 
be careful buying just any old prompter or prompter kit. as having it is one thing, RUNNING it is another. you have to consider:
- is it easy to operate? you have to be able to keep pace with the talent and be able to quickly move forward, backward, pause as well as do content edits on set
- what format does the software take and how easy is it to make edits. clients almost never show up with the latest or even right version of the script. different prompter software likes different file formats.
- no matter how close the monitor is to the lens - up down left right. a "through the glass" prompter, nearly ALWAYS looks better than a "monitor next to the lens"

i keep a little "monitor next to the lens" emergency prompter kit on hand.
its comprised of a:
- smallHD dp1 monitor
- macbook pro with an external vga adapter
- prompt dog software (if you dont have a multi-touch trackpad, a free-spinning wheel mouse like the logitech revolution mx is VERY helpful!)
- a manfrotto still photo tripod

there are things i like and dont like about the rig. but its never let me down in a pinch. and it never hurts your reputation when you are able to bail your client out of a difficult on-camera talent situation ; )
 
found the $800 from ikan... pretty good option but have to factor in the cost of the battery and honestly i hate that i am still teathered to a laptop...
i assume that is the advantage of the ipad prompter right? i would just use the software on the ipad so that i don't have a cord running over to a laptop?
problem is i don't have an ipad or iphone... yes i am that behind the times... so i have to factor in that cost too. but lets not worry about that for now... someone just answer
my question about the software on the ipad/iphone without having to be connected to a laptop... right? if so, i am leaning toward this one: http://www.prompterpeople.com/teleprompters/ipad-teleprompters/apple-ipad-teleprompter.html
because i don't have time to build this: http://webvideouniversity.com/podca...uild-an-ipad-teleprompter-for-under-5-wvu-98/
 
i would DEFINITELY buy/try the software first. i can feel it being pretty wonky. about 3/4 of the "i-apps" ive bought have been pretty half-baked

have you considered what happens when the client brings you the 4 page script on a cd-rom on set? how you plan to get that onto the ipad?

i think this is a BAD option.
 
i would think you put the CD in a laptop, drag it to a flash drive and then pull it up on the ipad from there... or email it to yourself...
i think that is a work around that i like better than having a laptop always being teathered and preventing me from the movement i want
 
i would think you put the CD in a laptop, drag it to a flash drive and then pull it up on the ipad from there
Click to expand...

yeah, you'd think that would be a reasonable assumption. but i sure would double check that thats how the various software works before you dump $600+ on what id consider a crippled approach.
 
I've used my iPad as a teleprompter. I bought two apps and use one exclusively, pretty sure it's ProPrompter. Scripts are loaded via your google docs account, so if the lawyer could send you a script in advance all you need to do is up,pad it to google docs. One of the cool features of proprompter is the ability to control it with an iPhone. That way, during takes you can speed it up or slow it down without touching the iPad and distracting talent. Ive never used it with a mirror, just off to the side of the lens, but I'd recommend it!

EDIT! The app I'm talking about is actually Teleprompt+. I like it more than proprompter!

Here's an iPad TelePrompTer for $5 bucks!http://webvideouniversity.com/podca...uild-an-ipad-teleprompter-for-under-5-wvu-98/

I'd also recommend buying a refurbished iPad. 50 bucks off and comes with a new warranty. Posting from my refurby as we speak!
 
Cheap teleprompter

Cheap teleprompter

Hi you should look at www.prompt-it.com.au it is cheap and works well.
With a DSLR it might be a bit tricky to setup as the glare cover would go over the entire camera, and makes it a bit tricky to adjust your picture (as you need to see the back screen of your dslr. I am sure that is a small problem - definitely offset by the cheap price of the camera... can't get everything!!

Also, you need an iphone or ipad... hope you have one...

Hope that helps.


jrod81 said:
I am shooting something next week and the lawyer that I am interviewing wants his script to be right in front of the lens so he can look directly into the camera... is there a teleprompter option for the DSLR crowd or should I just find one that meets the budget on BH.
thanks
jared
Click to expand...
 
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