Using a telepromtper in a narrative?

egproductions

egproductions

Veteran
Has anyone ever done this before? The issue I am having is that there are too many lines for actors to remeber in such a short timeframe before production.

I'm thinking about using a laptop with teleprompter software for the majority of a conversation between two people. If I place the laptop where the non talking actor would be I'm thinking I could make it look natural. I'll cut in some wide shots of the two actors without the teleprompter as well as an establishing shot. I would keep the teleprompter text narrow so eyes aren't shifting left to right too much.

Any other tips, framing or otherwise anyone could offer?
 
There's no such thing as to many lines. If your talent cant perform the material, you need to recast and find new actors. Marlon brando is one of the few that can get away with cue cards. for obvious reasons, but an up and coming actor, should be inspired enough to have their lines memorized when they show up to set.
 
I hear where your coming from but in all fairness I am giving the actors about 4 days to learn 10-15 pages of technical script. I would like to come up with a solution (even if it limits my shot angles) that would help us get through production faster and not get stuck.
 
How many pages of script per day are you planning to shoot? Actors need to pay attention to each other in the scene, not a teleprompter. If your actors are giving you the 4- 5 days of full time, a few rehearsals and learning lines should not be a problem for most.
 
maranfilms said:
There's no such thing as to many lines. If your talent cant perform the material, you need to recast and find new actors. Marlon brando is one of the few that can get away with cue cards. for obvious reasons, but an up and coming actor, should be inspired enough to have their lines memorized when they show up to set.
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I don't think even very large cue cards would help Brando deliver his lines from where he is today. :-)

- Greg
 
Depending on the shots you are using, sometimes this works. Using a small pocket recorder and an IFB type earphone.The actors record the lines, cue to the spot they are shooting and playback for the shot. It SOMETIMES works as a memory jog for long scene/monologues. Using a prompter is fine for host/presenter but seldom works for actors. Or if the set allows they can do a Brando and write lines on different pieces of the set out of camera range. Good luck.
 
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I worked with a theater actor that was called in to do a lead at the last minute, he learned the entire play in a matter of a few hrs. Of course he's not the norm, and has an amazing memory. But four days should be more than enough.
 
BrianMurphy said:
Depending on the shots you are using, sometimes this works. Using a small pocket recorder and an IFB type earphone.The actors record the lines, cue to the spot they are shooting and playback for the shot. It SOMETIMES works as a memory jog for long scene/monologues. Using a prompter is fine for hoast/presenter but seldom works for actors. Or if the set allows they can do a Brando and write lines on different pieces of the set out of camera range. Good luck.
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Now that's the type of tip I was looking for! I might do something like this as a backup if production is getting held up. Otherwise I think everyone is valid is saying the actors should know their lines, just have to face reality that I am not paying top of the line actors and the bottom line is that I need to deliver a product to my client without going over their production budget.
 
there's no way you could get a good performance with the teleprompter - or any sort of prompter.

In 4 days the actors should be familiar with the script - rehearse on set and shoot the rehearsal, as long as the interactions are short, the actors can concentrate on that.

beter still - reschedule - if you need real performances from your actors, give them the time to do their job properly.
 
egproductions said:
I hear where your coming from but in all fairness I am giving the actors about 4 days to learn 10-15 pages of technical script. I would like to come up with a solution (even if it limits my shot angles) that would help us get through production faster and not get stuck.
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Bluntly... if there are 'too many pages' for someone to at least 'learn'... then the viewer definitely is going to be either lost or bored stiff by the minute after minute of declamation.

If this is for a 'infomercial' type thing, and getting the absolutely correct verbage out is essential... you do have a problem, and probably the best thing to do is make each take short, and rehearse the material for the next shot just before shooting.. unless your actress is Marilyn Monroe... then even short takes may not work...

But if the dialog is filled with technostuff, whether reading from a prompter, or reciting from memory, if the person is not 'living' the verbage, the performance will be affected...

Even if some required technostuff has to be there, there could be a benefit from 'rewriting' to allow for an actor to make a performance... or allow for some form of improv rehearsals to get the material more 'natural' to the actors.
 
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