Production Glossary
Teleprompter
A teleprompter is a tool used to present written text and reminders to a person speaking on television or on a public platform. A monitor is positioned below the camera’s lens and the text is cast onto clear glass or a one-way mirror for the speaker to read off of. Teleprompters replaced the cue card and enabled the speaker to continue to look directly into the camera.The earliest teleprompters, before advent of personal computers, were simply scrolling sheets of paper that sat to one side of the camera. This early device was invented by Fred Barton, Jr., an actor who saw a need for assistance when memorizing large amounts of material was necessary. The first teleprompter that utilized a personal computer emerged in 1982.
Teleprompters are most often used by broadcast news networks for anchors to maintain “eye-contact” with the viewers. They are also used for speeches by politicians and the President, commercials, TV sketch-comedy shows, as well as award shows.
