Teleprompting 101: Preparing For Your First Teleprompter Presentation

Using a teleprompter is straightforward and the end result both professional and accurate, making their use popular for video presentations, award ceremonies, live conferences, product launches and increasingly as live note holders for public speakers.

However new users are often apprehensive. Newcomers may experience discomfort, nervousness or even drowsiness. Some new presenters can even come across as appearing dishonest.

This article is a summary of what to expect on a video production and the best ways to get professional results by using a teleprompter during your next presentation.

Word Smithing

Your presentation starts at the script. All your information and content is in the script. Designing your script to be spoken out loud is the key to a successful presentation. You can supply it to the auto cue operator in any word processing format, Mac or PC, preferably emailed to the production company ahead of time.

Use shorter sentences whenever possible and always try to use the contracted form of words, to better mimic the way people speak and give your delivery a more natural flow. Your auto cue script should only contain the text to be read. No bullet points, indents, tables, charts, borders, scene directions . . . just your monologue. If you need graphical aids, use screen graphics that can be displayed to your audience.

The auto cue operator will review the script and do some basic preparation so the lines read clearly on the auto cue screen. Keep in mind that if a lot of retouching is needed before the shoot day, a fee may be applied to cover editing time. So don’t send the auto cue operator a fully laid out storyboard . . . just send the speech!

Dress for Success

Once your script is done, it’s time to take a look at some of the more basic ingredients of your presentation.

A script is normally written with a particular audience in mind, so dress accordingly. Theatrical elements not withstanding, presenters would do well to wear comfortable clothing, reflecting the mood and overall tone of the message they are trying to get across.

Avoid striking reds wherever possible and steer clear of bright white clothes. These don’t copy well to video and are usually less than flattering for your skin tones. Pinstripes, hounds-tooth and any other patterns with very fine lines can also be distracting.

Makeup is used for both cosmetic and technical reasons . . . hiding blemishes is one thing but lights used in both video and stage environments are bright, harsh and hot, so makeup is often used to take out the shiny spots on the T of the face caused by the heat (and sometimes by nerves).

All that counts in video and stage production is the final result. In these strange environments, the final product is more important than the actual production stages, so don’t feel overly self conscious if the production company makes alterations to your wardrobe or insist you have makeup applied.

Your producer should have given you more specific information about what to wear and how to look your best, depending on the project.

Location

Regardless of whether the shoot is held in a studio, in an office or on the street, the same number 1 rule applies . . . safety first. Look out for cables on the floor, light stands, heavy rigging and awkwardly placed props. Stage lights are bright and for a good reason. They get very hot, so best not to touch!

When you arrive at, the Director will get you up to speed with how the set up is going and introduce you to the crew. For a shoot involving the use of a teleprompter, the crew will typically be made up of at least four people. The teleprompter operator, the sound operator, the camera operator and the Director. The bulk of the technical work will be done before you get there and after the shoot is over.

First port of call will be wardrobe and makeup. If you have any alterations or additions to the script though, make sure the teleprompter operator is aware of these as soon as possible.

The key feature of the teleprompter is to take a screen of text from a computer and project a smooth scrolling page of text onto a screen. Editing functions are limited, so allow the operator plenty of time to make any required edits. For single, this is quite easy to do. If new pages need to be added though, it takes time to either type these out or copy from a file.

When all the text is in place and you’re ready to go, grab a glass of water (not too cold) and get ready for the Director’s “3-2-1 . . . ACTION!”

Rolling, ACTION!

People will usually begin to fuss as you make your way to the camera . . . best to let them get on with it. You probably won’t hear that much from your auto cue operator unless he makes some alterations during your pre-read.

As you look into the monitor, it soon becomes apparent why bullet points and formatting are a bad idea. They would take up far too much space on the screen.

The Director is in charge of directing your presentation during the rehearsals and the final shoot. If time allows however, the teleprompter operator will often provide a general overview of the cue.

Here are the 5 main points to be aware of during your presentation:

1. Try the Script

You should always be given a pre-read of the script on the actual teleprompter during the rehearsal. Occasionally you’ll find words that normally run together being split to span over two pages to assist the delivery. Sometimes the opposite makes more sense. Written text normally spans 8-15 words on each line. In this medium however, the usual span is 3-5 words per line.

It’s an altogether different reading pace and you need to get used to it. It’s the teleprompter operator’s job to assist with the readability options.

2. Keep to Your Own Speed

The teleprompter operator will react to your delivery, constantly refining the scroll speed to match your reading speed. If you speed up, the auto cue speeds up. Slow down, the auto cue slows down.

3. Hold Eye Contact

This is something that needs practice, and/or a lot of takes to perfect. Until the Director tell you anything different, before the take starts, during the take and after it ends, just keep looking directly at the camera. That is of course unless you’ve mastered the process.

Eye movements are more crucial, the closer the shot is. Eye movements away from your audience make you look either uneasy or slightly dishonest. The only time you can really look away from the screen is when the Director says ‘cut’.

Most people won’t even know they are looking away from the camera. Turn away during an edit point in the script and the take will have to be re-done.

It’s ok to blink though!

4. Keep still

People very rarely stand totally still, often rocking from side to side of shuffling their feet. This is a perfectly natural movement but isn’t really the best thing to do during a shoot. It makes you look uncomfortable or distracted . . . which, if you’re rocking, then you are. It’s a bit like the eye contact and body movement discussed earlier on. Animated gestures in a production are fine as part of our communication is based on movement. Awkward looking swaying or shuffling aren’t.

As you get to start of the take, spend a few moments warming up. Stretches, bends, jumps. Anything to shake out your fatigue. The aim is to be both mentally and physically prepared. If the warm up still won’t keep you still, ask for a pedestal to rest one foot on or even make your presentation sitting down.

5. Value the Message

This may sound a little cheesy, but don’t just read your message . . . value the script! Remember, the script is a message that’s important. On some occasions you may not like what you’re saying, but you have to believe in the script. Use gestures, insert stresses too your presentation, don’t be monotonous . . . practice in front of a mirror!

All the information you will need is in the script and it’s crafted to get a clear massage across. Make the audience understand how important that message really is.

The Finished Product

So you’ve finished your recording and it’s time to see the finished product. The first thing you’ll confront when watching the tape is vanity. Don’t worry . . . it happens to everybody.

You might think you sound strange. You might think you look weird. The reason for this reaction is simple . . . you are used to seeing a reflected image of yourself rather than how everyone really sees you. Seeing your left side where your right side normally appears and vice versa is strange.

Some camera angles can also distort your appearance. You might fool yourself into thinking you look unwell or have put on weight. Giving polished presentations involves self criticism. Not negativity, but constructive criticism. Go over your performance and try to rectify any distracting or awkward habits.

Don’t split hairs here. Your concern is to make a sincere, polished presentation. You usually find that around the eyes. Are you mesmerized by the scrolling text, or speaking lifelessly? Are you a rocker? Are you maintaining eye line?

It’s all about getting an appreciation of your own performance. More importantly, do you look like you believe what you are saying? Business leaders from all industries realize the importance of an effective, personal and likeable communication style, yet public speaking is a major stepping stone for many of us.

This article has been all about the use of a teleprompter and an overview of how to best prepare for video production and presentations. It will need some homework on your part but when you meet the crew on the big day, the emphasis will be on making the best delivery and getting your message across as professionally as possible.

When you are ready to bring your presentations in-house, using professional PromptDog software can make a huge difference to the success of your production.

You can get a good idea of how this affordable autocue can help you by watching the great demo available on YouTube.