Washington DC Teleprompter Experts
First-Rate Teleprompter Services
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Quality Equipment. Hands-On Assistance.
For reliable teleprompter services, count on DC Prompters in Washington, D.C. We will take care of all your teleprompter needs—that is our promise to you. To get started, we encourage you to read through our FAQ section. Should any additional questions come to mind, we are a phone call or a message away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teleprompters
A teleprompter is a device used for film/video shoots and live speeches which allows talent to deliver lines or give a speech without having to memorize a script.
We offer Camera Prompters for film/video shoots and Presidential Prompters for live events and speeches. We also offer teleprompter feeds to downstage and Academy Awards-style monitors.
A camera prompter is a device that is fitted over the lens of a video or film camera, allowing talent to look directly into the camera lens to deliver lines without having to memorize a script. The words are reflected onto a special piece of mirrored glass through which the camera shoots.
A Presidential Prompter is a type of teleprompter commonly used by presidents, political leaders, and executives when delivering live speeches. The set-up looks like two glass music stands positioned on each corner of a lectern. The specialized pieces of mirrored glass reflect the script image from two flat-screen monitors positioned below them on the floor of the stage. When a presenter is giving his speech, this setup gives the illusion that the speaker is looking directly at the audience without having to refer to notes. A Presidential Teleprompter is sometimes called a “speech-view” prompter.
A teleprompter image can be displayed on virtually any monitor. Frequently, producers or directors ask that the image be displayed on multiple monitors placed around the performance area, freeing up a speaker from the lectern and allowing him/her to walk around the stage. Other times, the image will be displayed on a single, large monitor placed at the back of a theater (this setup is often referred to as an Academy Awards-style prompter).
Absolutely. We have travelled all over the world to assist on video shoots and live events. Call our office today to discuss your upcoming project with us.
Scripts for the teleprompter usually require a bit of reformatting from their original form. Although we can certainly edit and load scripts on the day of your shoot or event, emailing us finalized scripts in advance allows us to edit these documents before arriving on location, saving everyone valuable time on-site. If you need to give us a new file on the day of a shoot or show, you can give it to us on a USB drive or email it if Wi-Fi access is available on location.
Word, Rich Text, and Plain Text files are ideal. Avoid submitting other types of files, including PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. It is also best if your scripts do not include extraneous information like stage directions and shot cues. Avoid using columns in your formatting. Simple paragraph form works best. The final teleprompter file should contain only those words to be read by the talent. Don’t worry about the size or font; the teleprompter will adjust these features.
Of course. Our operators are skilled at making quick copy changes on location.
DC Prompters’ standard mounted camera prompter weighs 12-13 pounds.
Approximately a half stop.
Yes. However, be sure to let us know in advance if your shoot or event will take place outside. We use special high-bright monitors in these situations to ensure visibility. Also, we will need to make sure that there is access to power at outdoor locations.
Yes. If the jib, dolly or slider setup can accommodate the additional weight of a teleprompter, the setup can be mounted to the camera. This will allow the teleprompter and camera to move together in unison.
Typically, we suggest allowing one hour for video tapings and two hours for live television broadcasts and Presidential Prompter set-ups, depending on the venue and other considerations.
DC Prompters offers an “Interatron” setup, which is used in interview situations to allow the face of the interviewer to appear on a teleprompter display in front of the camera lens. This permits the person being interviewed to see the face of the person asking the questions during a taped interview. A second camera films the interviewer and the image from this camera is sent to the teleprompter display in front of the camera lens.
The font size on the teleprompter display can be adjusted to be as large or as small as needed. We recommend positioning talent no more than 10-12 feet away from the teleprompter, but this can vary depending on the person’s eyesight.
Ultimately, the speaker controls how slowly or quickly the teleprompter words move. The operator follows the speaker. The prompter operator listens as the talent speaks and adjusts the scrolling speed of the prompter to match. Talent can speed up, slow down, pause, or even stop. Our technicians are trained to accommodate these changes in speaker speed, keeping the next unread line of the script paused on the screen until the speaker resumes.
Like any skill, some people are better at using a teleprompter than others. It is a bit like reading aloud from a book. But with a little practice and coaching, virtually anyone can deliver lines to camera or give a speech using a teleprompter. It almost always makes the experience easier, faster, and more comfortable for the talent and production team.
The teleprompter allows the speaker to focus on delivery rather than memorization. It is a great aid in delivering your message. Also, DC Prompters offers training classes and pre-show rehearsal days.
The teleprompter allows the speaker to focus on delivery rather than memorization. It is a great aid in delivering your message. Also, DC Prompters offers training classes and pre-show rehearsal days.
The answer is a cautious yes. Many people struggle to ad-lib on camera or during a live speech while reading prompter. Our prompter operators are trained to pause during an ad-lib and wait for the speaker to pick up reading the prompter script in exactly the same place he/she left off. During a live speech, ad-libbing can be especially troublesome for both the speaker and the prompter operator. A speaker risks getting off track and losing the operator. In addition, a lengthy ad-lib’s contrast with your prepared remarks can sometimes come off as careless and unrehearsed. We recommend this rule: If you intend to say it, write it down, and add it to your prompter script.
A prompter is very affordable, especially when compared to the cost of producing and entire video or live event. During a video shoot, you’ll record more good takes while expending less time and energy on talent memorization errors. At a live event, prompters will help keep your show on time and provide speakers with extra confidence. Cost varies depending on the services and equipment you require. Give DC Prompters a call today to discuss your specific needs.
Most audience members will not notice the teleprompter or will not know what the teleprompter is. Unless you sound like you’re reading, they often can’t tell. We recommend writing, revising and rehearsing your script until it sounds conversational. Using the teleprompter involves a touch of acting on the part of the speaker.
Yes. Simply convert your notes into a word document and submit that as your script.
We suggest rehearsing speeches off-site and again at the actual venue location as much as required for the speaker to feel comfortable.
We offer individual training and classes for people to excel with the use of teleprompters either on camera or on stage. We’re also available to assist your own speaker coach with gear and advice.
Almost always. Cameras types and attachments are always changing. We work hard to accommodate the new technology. Tell us what you are working with, and we’ll come up with a solution. And yes, using a prompter with a dolly, slider, jib, or handheld camera is very common.
No. We are a service company. Our equipment always includes an experienced operator as part of the package.
You certainly can. In fact, we are happy to sell you one. Call us today to learn about our software, product and manufacturing partners.
Our operators know enough Spanish, French, Italian, and German to confidently prompt a speaker in those languages. We have also successfully worked on foreign-language projects in Italian, Czech, Portuguese, Russian, and even Mandarin. Although we may not always understand what is being said, what is important is that we can follow a speaker’s pace in a different language. We’ve also trained native speakers of other languages to operate our systems on site. Any language character set is available. Our operators and equipment often fly to different countries to work on projects.
Consult Our Teleprompting Team
Our team is committed to making sure all of your teleprompter needs are taken care of. That is why we strive to deliver customized teleprompter services that offer guaranteed results. Whether you need us to handle production and script issues inside the studio, at an outdoor location, or at a live show venue, we are always at your service! Get in touch with us today to discuss your event with us.
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DC Prompters
Matt Burton, Owner
3136 63rd Avenue
Cheverly, MD 20785
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