Me Oh My - Teleprompt Script

I am in the process of playing around with making a home-made low-cost AutoCue/Teleprompt device, which will be based on a beautiful little 7" TV /Monitor I've just bought from Maplin (Radio Shack). So far I've resisted the temptation to buy a laptop, so I am now trying ways of presenting the text via a solid state SD card player. Just for fun.




In a previous existence, Autocue was the weapon of choice for presentations and commentaries, but we trained the "talent" to rely on the experienced operator to guide them as to pace and to a degree, emphasis. We could script, rehearse and re-draft to produce a well-honed and polished performance which had the predictability needed for co-ordination with other supporting a/v and fx. It was costly, but worth the time effort and expense for prestige work. Top managers don't take Direction willingly, and many are awful when left to their own devices!

I've a hopeless memory and am not a fluent impromptu speaker... so I need help.

I've tried using the text of a recent memo as the basis for a script. Instead of scrolling the text, I'm experimenting with a now/next display with an onscreen countdown clock. Feedback from enthusiasts who'd like to try it out with my voice muted would help. Promise to share the construction project as a video when it is presentable! Any thoughts?

Produced with CyberLink PowerDirector http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/video/548121

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Teleprompt
• Autocue
• scripting
• voiceover
• rehearsal
• CyberLink
• PowerDirector

[BigEric42]

@ghough12

Well, Graham, I'm still using my adaptation of your ringlight for macro photography, using 4 LED strips intended for auto sidelights. Brilliant in 2 senses but now trying out Pound Shop alternative! Years ago I acquired a Canon Pellix fixed 1/2 silvered mirror 35mm, so having swallowed all the fuss about pellicle mirrors and £250 for branded conference plates I was wary about ghosting. I shot the desktop microphone review through a 6x4 Ikea Klips(?!) photo frame without ghosting

[ghough12]

Eric, I am interested in your project. I built such a device with ran on an iphone which ran teleprompt software with mirror text ability. Mounted under the camera and reflected off a thin piece of glass from a picture frame the idea being you were looking directly into the lens, as if communicating with the viewer. The problem i had, and could not overcome, was ghosting of the lettering because of the two planes of reflection. Maybe your 7" screen will make this less obvious. Its a neat project

[BigEric42]

@ghough12

The problem I have with the 7x5 version is readability in decently lit surroundings due to straightforward reflections off the glass. I also need to see the camera image (for vanity and framing) and this is obscured by the paraphernalia and I could use better IR remote sightlines, so more meddling with matt black foamboard, improvised periscopes, light guides - and cardboard boxes. Pity I haven't anything worthwhile to say at the end of it... But I will prevail... ;-)) Regards, E

[ghough12]

@BigEric42 Necessity, as they say, is the mother of all invention. Add to that a sprinkling of zero budget and a dash of "blue peter cardboard and sticky back plastic" you will achieve you goal!