Teleprompters 101
Worcester | 2023
The best speeches are those given by presenters that make eye contact and interact with the audience. Presenters generally have four options when delivering their speeches – 1) they can ‘wing it’ and speak candidly 2) they can turn to cue cards or written notes 3) they can memorize their speech 4) they can use teleprompters! The ‘wing it’ method usually proves problematic, as you could imagine! Ideas may be forgotten, or the presenter may exhaust the allotted time by aimless rambling! Cue cards and notes don’t allow for eye contact or interaction, resulting in a poorly delivered speech. Memorizing… who wants to spend lots of time trying to memorize? But teleprompters – they solve the dilemmas about how to deliver excellent, professional presentations!
What is a teleprompter?
What is a teleprompter?A teleprompter is simply a display device that ‘prompts’ the presenter with the text of their speech. Typically, the text is shown on a glass as it reflects from an electronic monitor. The font is large enough for the presenter to see it clearly, and advances up the screen as the words are spoken. In a studio setting, the teleprompter is usually located underneath the camera lens. In a more formal, live stage setting, the teleprompter may be located to the left or right of the presenter, or on the lectern. The placement of the teleprompter is to simulate the presenter speaking naturally to the audience, as if not reading at all. In very formal events, such as political conventions, there will be multiple teleprompters, so that the speaker may look to the left, the right, and down without missing a beat!
What is a confidence monitor?
A confidence monitor is similar to a teleprompter in that it displays the text of a speech largely and clearly for the presenter to see it. If differs from a teleprompter in that it doesn’t require reflection. A confidence monitor is usually a large scale video screen that runs the content through a computer. Confidence monitors are often located at the far end of the room from the presenter so that they may look out into the crowd while speaking. As an example, a pastor might have a confidence monitor in the back of the church above the congregation so they don’t have to be restricted to stay in one place while delivering the sermon.
Planning for a teleprompter/confidence monitor
Events that may benefit from the use of a teleprompter include business presentations, commencement speakers, political speakers, on-air filming such as news broadcasts, church sermons, even virtual events! The type of teleprompter used would be determined by the task at hand. If the speaker will be stationary at a podium, or facing a camera for filming, then a traditional teleprompter would serve the purpose well. But, if the presenter prefers to move around the stage, than confidence monitors would be the way to go. If you’re planning such an event to include a speaking presentation, including a teleprompter or a confidence monitor into the budget is critical! It will be an added cost of production, but well worth the expense to assure a flawless event!
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Teleprompter Trivia
• In 1952, Former President Herbert Hoover used a teleprompter in his address to the Republican National Convention, Chicago.
• In 1953, actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz used a teleprompter to film commercials.
• In 1954, President Eisenhower was the first to deliver a presidential State-of-the-Union address using a teleprompter.