Tele prompter

 I am hopeless at remembering what to say if I need to talk in front of a camera. In my latest video about painting techniques I wanted to talk to the viewers about my inspiration. So I decided I needed a tele-prompter like the ones TV news anchors use.

After searching for one on the net I found a very cheap solution. I downloaded an app from Cowlin software called Teleprompter Pro Lite. This can transform your text into white script on a dark background. Then you can mirror the text and get it to roll downwards at a speed that suits your reading speed. 

Cutting a hole for the camera lens.

The assembled parts with ipad and photo frame

Then all that's needed is:

* A tablet or ipad for the text,

* A black cardboard box with a hole in the  back to fit your camera lens.

* A photo frame with glass, size A4.

* A bit of string.

* Your camera

The glass is hung at 45 degrees in front of the camera so that the text on the ipad is reflected on the surface. You can then see the reflected text but the camera only sees you.

It took a while to rig up and more time to practise reading like this. The first time my eyes could be seen moving along the rows of text but by moving the teleprompter further away and enlarging the text it looked more natural.

I read that teleprompter reading technique is an art that isn’t that easy. I now closely study the eyes of news anchors and have great respect for them.