Advice for Teleprompter for EX1 at DVinfo.net

Steve Kalle · January 12th, 2010, 07:39 PM

I need to buy a teleprompter for my EX1 and need some advice.
I have a Sachtler FSB6 and will have a Nanoflash, so I need to get a tele that doesn't exceed the FSB's weight handling (if possible). I prefer to keep the entire teleprompter package as close to $2k as possible, and I presume it will connect to a laptop.

Do I need a riser? I read that the VCT-14 works to rise it up and I will get it if needed.

THANKS for any input.

Bruce Rawlings · January 13th, 2010, 04:04 AM

I have the ProPrompter which is very lightweight, works well and software is easy to use.

Giroud Francois · January 13th, 2010, 05:15 AM

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Olof Ekbergh · January 13th, 2010, 08:25 AM

I have 2 teleprompters.

But a lot of the time in the field, I just use Noga Arm attached to my tripod head, I make a bracket for this, and I flip the monitor around and position it just under the lens. I have a sunshade on my Marshal for this.

This system works very well. I do a lot of work with law enforcement officers talking about safety, and they love this system. I can even set up to use it on a jib or on the SteadiCam, it is very light. You can't tell that they are reading just below the lens.

I use a MBP with "Presentation Prompter" SW, it works very nicely.

If you want more info I can post some photos.

Or contact me:
olof@westsideav.com

John Peterson · January 13th, 2010, 08:34 AM

I use the freeware EasyPrompter on my laptop. Works great.

http://www.easyprompter.com/portable.php

John

James Huenergardt · January 13th, 2010, 09:18 AM

I have a Prompter People 19" Prompter.

I love it. It's easy to set up and works great and is lightweight.

Steve Kalle · January 13th, 2010, 10:10 AM

Olof, I would greatly appreciate some photos. Do you sell the bracket you made? I have been keenly following your Nano and shoulder mount brackets and I will need the Nano bracket for certain.

Bruce, which model do you have?

Thanks to everyone so far.

Matt Davis · January 15th, 2010, 05:53 AM

I'm currently hiring prompt kit with operator when I need it, but recent developments with one client means I'm now considering purchasing kit - so may I ask you prompter owners...

... how do you handle the actual operation of the prompt? Does the client drive, do you get an assistant to drive, or do you have a prompt-trained operator to drive?

... how much editing do you do during the shoot?

... are your presenters prompt trained? Do you offer prompt training?

... what controllers are you using for prompt software? Mouse? Button? Custom device?

... any issues with the built-in mics interfering with the hood preventing a good alignment between lens and prompt 'hot-spot'?

... if you're not using a mirror system, do you favour above or below the lens?

... has anyone tried the rather simpler devices that simply reflect a sheet of paper?

The last point seems to have a bit of charm, because I find that unless the person is prompter trained and a good presenter, a teleprompter generates quite a wooden performance. Often, most presenters just need a few bullet points (usually writ large on a flip chart over my shoulder) to keep them on track, but with the penalty of furtive eye-darts off-stage.

Olof Ekbergh · January 15th, 2010, 07:24 AM

Matt,

... how do you handle the actual operation of the prompt? Does the client drive, do you get an assistant to drive, or do you have a prompt-trained operator to drive?

I use an intern or a field producer. I can generally train someone in an hour or so and then I have them practice with someone else for a few hrs before the shoot.

We often have one person training the talent as well before they go on camera in the green room, if they are not familiar with how a prompter works.

... how much editing do you do during the shoot?

We often make small changes and additions during the shoot. It is very easy and quick.

... are your presenters prompt trained? Do you offer prompt training?

Answered above.

... what controllers are you using for prompt software? Mouse? Button? Custom device?

We use the arrow keys + and - keys and a bunch of shortcut buttons. Presentation Prompter for Mac is a great program in my opinion we run it on a MBP.

... any issues with the built-in mics interfering with the hood preventing a good alignment between lens and prompt 'hot-spot'?

I have a small above the lens Prompter from Q Vision, it works fine. It was made for Betacams, but I have made a special setup for my EX3/EX1 that works very well, I will post pictures if someone is interested. I also have full large studio below lens system. It is very bulky compared to the small above lens system.

... if you're not using a mirror system, do you favour above or below the lens?

As I wrote earlier I often use a small Marshal Monitor below the lens.

... has anyone tried the rather simpler devices that simply reflect a sheet of paper?

Yes, it is OK for bullet points but not a whole script.

Added note.

I find a small monitor or prompter screen is better for talent who are not used to reading a prompter, their eyes hardly move at all, but large screens can really make them flip their eyes back and forth, not a good effect.

Olof Ekbergh · January 15th, 2010, 01:59 PM

Here is a shot of the "Marshal Promter", on an EX3.

Outside I use a sunshade on the monitor. This is a really fast easy prompter setup.

BTW you may notice the hand crank slider system the camera is on. I have a number of different slider systems I am working on. This one can do incredible slow dolly moves.

If anyone is interested in the prompter arm setup or the the Slider. I will be looking for Slider Beta testers soon.

Contact me:
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283

Other Products here:EX1 Stronger Plates

January 12th, 2010, 07:39 PM	#1
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Advice for Teleprompter for EX1 I need to buy a teleprompter for my EX1 and need some advice. I have a Sachtler FSB6 and will have a Nanoflash, so I need to get a tele that doesn't exceed the FSB's weight handling (if possible). I prefer to keep the entire teleprompter package as close to $2k as possible, and I presume it will connect to a laptop. Do I need a riser? I read that the VCT-14 works to rise it up and I will get it if needed. THANKS for any input.

January 13th, 2010, 09:18 AM	#7
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	I have a Prompter People 19" Prompter. I love it. It's easy to set up and works great and is lightweight. __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

January 15th, 2010, 05:53 AM	#9
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Some questions to prompter owners I'm currently hiring prompt kit with operator when I need it, but recent developments with one client means I'm now considering purchasing kit - so may I ask you prompter owners... ... how do you handle the actual operation of the prompt? Does the client drive, do you get an assistant to drive, or do you have a prompt-trained operator to drive? ... how much editing do you do during the shoot? ... are your presenters prompt trained? Do you offer prompt training? ... what controllers are you using for prompt software? Mouse? Button? Custom device? ... any issues with the built-in mics interfering with the hood preventing a good alignment between lens and prompt 'hot-spot'? ... if you're not using a mirror system, do you favour above or below the lens? ... has anyone tried the rather simpler devices that simply reflect a sheet of paper? The last point seems to have a bit of charm, because I find that unless the person is prompter trained and a good presenter, a teleprompter generates quite a wooden performance. Often, most presenters just need a few bullet points (usually writ large on a flip chart over my shoulder) to keep them on track, but with the penalty of furtive eye-darts off-stage. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

January 15th, 2010, 01:59 PM	#11
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	Here is a shot of the "Marshal Promter", on an EX3. Outside I use a sunshade on the monitor. This is a really fast easy prompter setup. BTW you may notice the hand crank slider system the camera is on. I have a number of different slider systems I am working on. This one can do incredible slow dolly moves. If anyone is interested in the prompter arm setup or the the Slider. I will be looking for Slider Beta testers soon. Contact me: olof@westsideav.com 603.383.9283 Other Products here:EX1 Stronger Plates Attached Thumbnails

January 13th, 2010, 04:04 AM	#2
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	I have the ProPrompter which is very lightweight, works well and software is easy to use.

January 13th, 2010, 05:15 AM	#3
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	if you can find a cheap tablet pc, you got all in one.

January 13th, 2010, 05:26 AM	#4
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	here is a cheap model that should fit any needs MOTION COMPUTING LE1600 TABLET PC VIEW ANYWHERE - eBay (item 220538974460 end time Jan-18-10 08:44:33 PST)

January 13th, 2010, 08:25 AM	#5
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I have 2 teleprompters. But a lot of the time in the field, I just use Noga Arm attached to my tripod head, I make a bracket for this, and I flip the monitor around and position it just under the lens. I have a sunshade on my Marshal for this. This system works very well. I do a lot of work with law enforcement officers talking about safety, and they love this system. I can even set up to use it on a jib or on the SteadiCam, it is very light. You can't tell that they are reading just below the lens. I use a MBP with "Presentation Prompter" SW, it works very nicely. If you want more info I can post some photos. Or contact me: olof@westsideav.com

January 13th, 2010, 08:34 AM	#6
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	I use the freeware EasyPrompter on my laptop. Works great. http://www.easyprompter.com/portable.php John

January 13th, 2010, 10:10 AM	#8
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Olof, I would greatly appreciate some photos. Do you sell the bracket you made? I have been keenly following your Nano and shoulder mount brackets and I will need the Nano bracket for certain. Bruce, which model do you have? Thanks to everyone so far.

January 15th, 2010, 07:24 AM	#10
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	Matt, ... how do you handle the actual operation of the prompt? Does the client drive, do you get an assistant to drive, or do you have a prompt-trained operator to drive? I use an intern or a field producer. I can generally train someone in an hour or so and then I have them practice with someone else for a few hrs before the shoot. We often have one person training the talent as well before they go on camera in the green room, if they are not familiar with how a prompter works. ... how much editing do you do during the shoot? We often make small changes and additions during the shoot. It is very easy and quick. ... are your presenters prompt trained? Do you offer prompt training? Answered above. ... what controllers are you using for prompt software? Mouse? Button? Custom device? We use the arrow keys + and - keys and a bunch of shortcut buttons. Presentation Prompter for Mac is a great program in my opinion we run it on a MBP. ... any issues with the built-in mics interfering with the hood preventing a good alignment between lens and prompt 'hot-spot'? I have a small above the lens Prompter from Q Vision, it works fine. It was made for Betacams, but I have made a special setup for my EX3/EX1 that works very well, I will post pictures if someone is interested. I also have full large studio below lens system. It is very bulky compared to the small above lens system. ... if you're not using a mirror system, do you favour above or below the lens? As I wrote earlier I often use a small Marshal Monitor below the lens. ... has anyone tried the rather simpler devices that simply reflect a sheet of paper? Yes, it is OK for bullet points but not a whole script. Added note. I find a small monitor or prompter screen is better for talent who are not used to reading a prompter, their eyes hardly move at all, but large screens can really make them flip their eyes back and forth, not a good effect.