Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have any questions which are not
covered here, please send an email to speakeasy@teleprompt.com.au
or contact Barbara on (+61)(0)
408 969 219
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How Does an Autocue/Prompter
System Work?
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Answer:
There are three components to our hire service of an
autocue/prompting system:
• The camera or conference equipment,
• The computer system & software,
• And the operator.
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SpeakEasy Teleprompt uses laptop computers running the
broadcast quality Cueword prompting software. This is
specialised software which functions a bit like a word
processor, and scripts can be loaded from Microsoft Word
documents either emailed or from USB memory sticks, or
even typed in and easily edited when required. The
Cueword controller sends out a vision signal so that the
script appears on a video monitor in a large sized font.
The picture on the monitor is usually reversed, which
allows it to be reflected onto semi-reflective glass
(which are one way mirrors). This software allows the
script to be smoothly scrolled up the screen, similar to
the end credits of a movie. The operator controls the
speed at which the text moves, keeping it in time with
the presenter and stopping the text if they need to
pause or adlib.
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Television
For television, the mirror is placed in front
of the camera lens, allowing the presenter to
read their script whilst appearing to look
directly at the lens. This system has been the
mainstay for TV news readers for decades.
Because the glass only reflects on one side, the
camera is not affected.
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Conferences or On-Stage
Events
For conferences, two monitors which sit on the
floor with the screen facing upwards. The mirrors
are attached to poles, allowing them to be raised
up to the height of the presenter's vision.
Commonly, these LCD On-Stage Kits will be placed
one on each side of a lectern. This system allows
the speaker to view their script whilst looking
directly at the audience, and allows them to scan
across left and right, maintaining audience eye
contact.
Other options are large
screen monitors placed strategically around
the room allow presenters to freely roam the
stage while still having full view of the
prompter screens.
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| Other Uses |
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Finally, monitors can also be used without mirrors and
reversed text. Interviews, comedy and drama use monitors
placed out of frame or on the floor, allowing scripts to
be viewed, without it being apparent to an audience.
Awards nights, conferences and concerts also use
monitors without glass.
Large
monitors can be placed at the back of a venue, in the
middle of the audience, or at the base of the stage,
allowing scripts, speeches and song lyrics to be
easily viewed.
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What are the technical
considerations when using
a prompter system for Television & Video?
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Answer:
Our Flatscreen Camera Displays can be fitted to most
industry cameras with ease. Below some more specific
details are outlined about their setup and operation.
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Independent Stand
Our Independent Stand unit is very
popular. It consists of the standard 17” hood and
monitor normally mounted to a tripod but mounted
on a stand. This setup allows the camera to be set
for a shot then the autocue hood and screen marry
to the front of the lens just prior to shooting.
There is some movement limitation but for most
stationary “locked off” shots this is ideal and
quicker to set up. |
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The Camera Base Plate / Mounting
Systems
The base plates used on standard broadcast ENG
style cameras will fit onto our prompting systems
without problems. Our prompter base plate is
sandwiched between the tripod and camera mount
allowing full camera movement |
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| For a studio camera mounted on a pedestal.
We use industry standard Autoscript hoods that adapt
direct to the standard Vinten pedestals for these
specialist setups. |
| Occasionally there will be cameras which do
not have compatible mounting systems or tripods to sustain
the weight of our 17" standard prompters. This mostly
occurs with small SLR style with specialised tripod heads.
In this case, a prompter can still be set up on an
independent stand and then placed in front of the camera.
We can adapt to just about every situation. Give us a call
to discuss what we can do for you.. |
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The Weight
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| Our autocue systems have a considerable
adjustment range for moving the balance of the added
weight. Our operators will work with you to ensure the
weight on the tripod head is balanced and not front or
back heavy. |
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Power
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| Our systems run off 240V mains power, and we also have
Battery operated equipment. If your production will use a
location without power, please advise that a battery
system is required when booking. |
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Vision Feeds
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| We can output several vision feeds from our Cueword
Controller using BNC cables. This allows us to provide a
feed to more than one camera display, extra monitors, and
for a director's feed to an OB truck or control room.
Please consider in advance how you might utilise these
extra feeds and if you we would need to run any extra
cabling.. |
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Answer:
Our Conference Displays are like shoes, they come as a
pair and are used in sets of two, one for each side of
the lectern. They are housed in discreet black boxes and
our operators both run and tape the cabling where
required.
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Positioning of the Prompters
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| The prompters work best when placed on the stage, in
front and on either side of the lectern - about 1 - 1.5
metres away. If they are too far below the stage level,
the poles must be extended higher and the size and
brightness of the text (as reflected in the mirrors) is
reduced. Please take this into account when positioning
and lighting at the lectern. If there is no room on the
stage for the prompters, an additional riser or some
dressed road cases can be a great help. |
| It is also desirable to avoid stage lighting
spilling onto the prompter displays, as it reduces
the brightness and contrast of the words and the
reflections can be off-putting to speakers. Note
also that the prompter displays are designed to
work in darkened rooms; venues with a lot of
daylight or bright lighting in the presenter's
line-of-sight can reduce their effectiveness. If
this is a probability, please advise at the time
of booking so we can provide a HiBright LED screen
system for such venues. |
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Positioning of the Prompter Operator
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| While a position which provides line-of-sight can be
helpful, it is certainly not necessary. But we do need to
be able to hear the speakers clearly. Please take this
into account when scheduling rehearsals for times when AV
audio personnel may not be available. |
| We operate from laptop computers so we only need a small
amount of table space. Sitting near the show director can
be helpful for revising scripts during rehearsals, and can
limit the need for a talkback headset. |
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Cabling / Vision Feeds
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| We provide and run vision cables between the Cueword
computer controller and the Conference Display units. When
a venue is particularly large and the operator is
positioned some distance away, it can be helpful if patch
bays are available or an extra cable can be run when the
main AV crew set up. We can take several vision feeds from
the Cueword computer, as well as loop through the prompter
displays, so additional feeds can be provided for other
monitors. We would be happy to work direct with your AV
supplier to arrange the best solution for your event. |
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Using Floor Monitors
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| If you are going to use large screen displays or floor
monitors in addition to or instead of our On-Stage
Conference Displays, we can easily provide vision feeds
for them. Try to place them some distance from where the
presenters will be, to allow for viewing from a variety of
stage positions. Common placements include at the back of
the room, in the middle of the audience (with the
audio/lighting desk) or at the base or edge of stage. Our
32” floor monitors resemble fold back speaker wedges so
can easily be disguised on the front of stage. Perfect for
the vocalists trying to recall song lyrics. |
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How should the script be
provided
for entering into the Cueword computer?
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Answer:
Please note: We only require the
presenters words. Not the production notes or cues.
Avoid mixing non-dialogue parts into the prompter
script.
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| We do not accept draft scripts we only
require the final version. Inputting and formatting
scripts takes time and draft scripts are a waste of that
time if significant changes are likely to be made. |
| Inputting and formatting scripts takes time. Please
allow adequate time for the operator to complete this
essential task. A 20 minute script will generally take 15
minutes to input and format. If there are only minor
changes like a few words changing it’s best to edit the
script on the prompter computer rather that provide a
revised script that has to be fully reformatted. |
| Email the script beforehand;
please save the script as a PLAIN Word Document, (Or
TEXT Only) and attach the file to an email to speakeasy@teleprompt.com.au prior to
the event or work with the operator on site for last
minute changes to scripts. |
On site (USB stick)- save the script
as a Word Document, (Or TEXT Only) You should remove
any tables or "audio/video" columns first to avoid mixing
non-dialogue parts into the prompter script. We can then
transfer the file from the USB stick on location and
easily convert it to the Cueword format.
Provide a hard copy of
the script for the production crew. A hard copy is often
useful to keep track of script changes. |
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At the end of the shoot or event we are able to email
or save a copy of the script to the USB stick for your
reference. Often handy for editors where major script
changes have been made during the shoot or stage event.
Note: scripts can easily be edited,
when required, on site. Please make changes on our
operator’s computer not yours. The presenters will be
reading from our system not yours. If it’s not updated
on our system it won’t be displayed.
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