Zen Teleprompting
Teleprompting is a dance. People often assume that the teleprompter operator drives the speed of the speech. They think that we just set the pace and the speaker has to follow us. It’s not uncommon for people to think they’d…
Tag teleprompting
What teleprompter equipment do I use?
I’ve seen a lot of changes in the teleprompter industry. When I first started, a teleprompter was mostly limited to the studio. I used my client’s crazy proprietary “remote” teleprompter system that would give a composite video out, but only…
Michael Bay’s CES meltdown from a teleprompter operator’s perspective
Director Michael Bay spoke briefly at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2014) to introduce the new large screen curved displays from Samsung. The talk was streamed live. Michael was supposed to read from a downstage monitor (DSM.) Apparently, when Bay…
How does a teleprompter work?
A teleprompter is the modern version of “smoke and mirrors.” There was this theatrical method called “Pepper’s Ghost” in the 1860’s that used a stretched piece of thin fabric placed between the audience and the stage. It was invisible unless…
How does a presidential teleprompter work?
The presidential teleprompter demystified: no, the audience can’t see your words. When I was a kid, and saw photographs of these glass panels around a lectern, I just thought they were bullet-proof glass to protect the speaker. Like, someone Secret…
Why did I superimpose teleprompter text over the Director’s face?
I’ve wanted to try superimposing teleprompted script over a person’s face for years. It made sense: put the words for the talent to read as usual, but also to see the friendly face of the director to nod, smile or…
It’s a travel necklace
The necklace that I wear at all times is a conversation starter. People from clerks to CEOs, and bicycle messengers to busy librarians have remarked “What a great necklace. Where did you get it?” I smile, and share this story…
Teleprompting for Graduation or Commencement
I have a long history with commencement (aka graduation) ceremonies. This is because I used to play saxophone in the marching bands for both my high school and university. At least once a year, we’d perform ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ over…
Teleprompting in Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese
Tonight was a blast—teleprompting for a local community hospital, in Chinese! It was an example of working together as a team to help the client with something that was quite unique. The client had requested Mandarin, Cantonese, and the ability…
Ocean cliffs and our outdoor teleprompter
Teleprompting outside can be fun and challenging. You’re at the mercy of the weather and geography, and are often hours from any support. Today we shot at Slide Ranch just North of the Golden Gate Bridge for two days, to…