Many of our video projects involve people talking to camera in the form of interviews, quite often for case studies or promotional video content. This requires certain production to ensure that slick video is created.
Reducing re-takes
Remembering lines can be tricky, some people find it easier than others, after all, they are not actors! Like with everything today people have to flex with the times. We decided to invest in a teleprompter, thinking that this would resolve the issues as opposed to multiple re-takes. Re-takes consequently take longer, feels and is less efficient and ultimately less professional.
Like everything, it’s a learning curve. The first couple of times the interviewee/presenter would stare at the screen and read the script. The problem arose that after examining the recording it did appear as though they were reading their script, which is not the desired outcome. The objective is for the person to come across natural, relaxed and as though they’re talking off the cuff about their subject. We have arrived at some ‘best practice’, to help us produce improved video content.
Best Practice
First up – script awareness
In many respects, the most obvious is for the subject to be aware of the script and to become familiar with their lines before the filming day. You may ask, why is there a need to do this when the text is sitting on the teleprompter? The teleprompter becomes a support and prevents people from going off message. Additionally, not having a script people start thinking too much about what they are saying, which will often result in people hesitating and stumbling over their words.
Second up – the setup
How do we set up the teleprompter, or rather how do we embed the text on the page? We achieve this through uploading the text onto an iPad using data video software. The trick is to keep the text large enough in order that it can be easily read and the eyes don’t have to scan across the page to read the words; this reduces obvious eye movement. Also, breaking the sentences up into blocks of text, leaving space between them also helps. People are more likely to pause at this point rather than rushing through their sentences.
Controlling the speed of the text is also essential. If it’s too fast, people concentrate on the text and easily slip into reading mode. If it’s too slow we get the same result. So practising to establish the right speed in the first instance is an important stage and that the reader is comfortable. This means checking a practice recording and this will be different for each person.
Third up – distance from the subject
Finally, the distance the subject is from the camera is crucial. If the subject is sat too close, then it becomes more obvious that they’re reading from a teleprompter, as their eyes can be seen scanning across the screen, so a little further away can help. Again experiment until you’ve achieved the correct distance.
To sum up, to optimise your filming using a teleprompter: make sure the script is learnt, space between the text, practice the speed and finally don’t have the teleprompter too close to your subject.
The teleprompter we use is a: Datavideo TP300 and an iPad with data video software.
