What is a Teleprompter?
A teleprompter is equipment used to display smooth scrolling text (similar to credits at the end of a movie). The text is read by someone who is in front of either a camera or live audience. As the text is read, a teleprompter operator uses a computer to control the speed of the scrolling text to closely follow the speech pattern and delivery of the speaker.
A teleprompter is an electronic device used primarily to display text and cues for on-air newscasters and other professional talents. Use of a teleprompter has largely replaced the need for handwritten cue cards or other off-camera prompts, although many studios still use cue cards as a back-up or emergency communication method. Early teleprompters were only used when the actor was required to speak directly to the camera, as in the case of live commercials. The original idea for a teleprompter device came from a producer of the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy, but it took a trio of investors to produce the very first TelePrompTer machines. This teleprompter device used paper scrolls to provide text and cues to the on-air talent, who were often at the mercy of reading speeds selected by the teleprompter operator or director. Another problem was a loss of direct eye contact as the performer read from an off-screen teleprompter. During the early 1980s, a workable solution was found for many of
Related Questions
- I already own a different brand of teleprompter software. Can I purchase the Plans Only that would show me how to construct my own VideoPrompter box to use with my existing software?
- Can the Teleprompter Software work with my existing brand-name word processor?
- How does teleprompter in a foreign language work?
