What an elegant teleprompter! Tape around the glass looks like a prudent precaution. Thanks to other commenters on how to look more natural when using a teleprompter.
thefrugalfilmmaker DSLRguide I've made a similar build using Griffin Hammond's technique. I use a 50mm prime (on a crop sensor camera, so that makes it more like an 80mm) and have the person about 6-8 feet away and it works really great. Unless you're really paying close attention, you don't notice the eyes.
Have to say... THANK YOU again for this!! Can't wait to build this!! I have learned so much in the past years with building great projects... Short sweet and simple... You are the Man!
I've watched lots of 'how to make a prompter" YT vids over the past few months, and yours, by far, is the easiest to build--especially when ya have a Frugal Cage. Thanks for the post on this one.
+thefrugalfilmmaker I've watched most of your videos ... and like 'um all. I truly appreciate what you do on you channel. {2 Thumbs Up!} I just came across your Sony Vegas Pro ones last night, on scripting. I'm pretty good with Vegas, but have never messed with the scripting thing ... and from the 2 clips I watched last night, I can see that I've been wasting a METRIC TON of time in post doing things individually and repeatedly. If you can provide me with some links to groups where I can find more on the Vegas scripting, I'd sure appreciate it. Wish we lived in the same town, 'cause I'd be available to crew for you at "Frugal Rates." ~[: +) Cheers from North East Florida.
May consider using 1/8'' plexiglass or lexan, will last a long time if handled and cleaned properly, no chance of breakage or injury if accidentally bumped or dropped. Still great build, keep it up!
great setup and such a simple addition to what you already have... I would suggest that you use either some duct tape or electrical tape at the edges of the glass for a little extra safety... shouldn't interfere with the camera picture... I built one about a year ago after seeing the one indy mogul built... then I saw the one David Malki built... I used his idea... good cardboard, a frame I literally found on the side of the road, some random wood... only thing I had to buy was a 1/4" wood insert (to mount the base to a light stand) and black spray paint... we use it for our church vid announcements... so much better than setting the ipad up behind the camera... I still need to make a better cloth cover (an old black shirt has worked well for the last year though)... and proper beam splitter glass would be nice for when we film outside... makes doing scripted things so nice and you don't get the horrid eye wobble like you see even on TV commercials sometimes.... good job at making inexpensive film production look better and have more function
I was hoping to be able to share a very low cost way of making our own prompter using either javascript or the marquee attribute in html. Both techniques can produce a scrolling script, but it is just easier to write the script, then copy and paste it into the easy prompter website, which scrolls much smoother than either of the other techniques I tried. And, on that note, the flipping of the text... if you use a mirror and a piece of glass, you can place (securely) a laptop in a rig, much like a periscope, and the text will be the right way for you as you read it. When I used the free prompting software, and easy prompt would work well as well with this, I placed my laptop on a ladder as close to the lens as I could. I was back a bit from the camera / ladder, but it worked very well for my purpose, and no one could tell I was using a prompter. Lastly, if you don't mind taking short takes, you can memorize short pages of script and splice it all together later. My favorite technique on that was like a jump cit with a slight (15 frames) of an overlap (dissolve) between jump cuts to soften the change. If I moved too far from framing, a longer dissolve would get the job done.
#1 The closer you are to the prompter, the more eye movement you will see. Move the camera back a foot or so and punch in. You will be surprised how much less your eyes move from left to right while reading. #2 With the HDMI monitor you are using, there is a menu option that allows you to flip the image from left to right. (Mirroring) This would allow for you to not have to flip the image in the teleprompter that you are using. This would allow your frugal teleprompter operator to monitor the feed while still giving the talent the correct mirrored feed.
Is the connector cable between the monitor and the computer a regular USB cable? If not what is the cable and where on ebay can they be scored. Thanks for the great work you do to keep us active in DYI.
I purchase some $2.95 samples from telepromptermirror.com. - Dollar Tree is cheaper but this is another option. The samples I got were about 7" by 7". Of course you have to pay shipping so I bought extra to dilute the shippimg cost
Very cool. I like the simple approach you took. Also nice storage option. It's hard to beat for a buck. Finally, I think I might be first commenter, so woo-hoo!
What program do you use for your green screen effects and can the program also be used for photography purposes. If not what program do you recommend when using the green screen as a backdrop for photography?
Richard Wasserman The glass does need to be exposed (which rules out the frame) where it connects to the flash bracket, but the remaining edges could be covered by gaff tape for safety.
i just got a new camera and im looking to compare different cameras. Would that dual flash bracket be able to hold 2 dslr cameras on a tripod so i could get side by side shots?
Smart prompter setup! I like it.
What an elegant teleprompter! Tape around the glass looks like a prudent precaution.
Thanks to other commenters on how to look more natural when using a teleprompter.
do you mind me asking the distance between you and the camera, and which lens you were using? a brilliant frugal build!
DSLRguide Thanks! I'm using an adapted Minolta Rokkor 28mm f/2.8 lens, that is about 3-4 feet away from my face.
thefrugalfilmmaker DSLRguide I've made a similar build using Griffin Hammond's technique. I use a 50mm prime (on a crop sensor camera, so that makes it more like an 80mm) and have the person about 6-8 feet away and it works really great. Unless you're really paying close attention, you don't notice the eyes.
Have to say... THANK YOU again for this!! Can't wait to build this!! I have learned so much in the past years with building great projects... Short sweet and simple... You are the Man!
Smart build. This type of build will help keep me on point and will save a tonne of time in out takes, thanks for sharing :-).
I've watched lots of 'how to make a prompter" YT vids over the past few months, and yours, by far, is the easiest to build--especially when ya have a Frugal Cage. Thanks for the post on this one.
+Chuck Johnson Thank YOU Chuck!
+thefrugalfilmmaker
I've watched most of your videos ... and like 'um all.
I truly appreciate what you do on you channel. {2 Thumbs Up!}
I just came across your Sony Vegas Pro ones last night, on scripting. I'm pretty good with Vegas, but have never messed with the scripting thing ... and from the 2 clips I watched last night, I can see that I've been wasting a METRIC TON of time in post doing things individually and repeatedly.
If you can provide me with some links to groups where I can find more on the Vegas scripting, I'd sure appreciate it.
Wish we lived in the same town, 'cause I'd be available to crew for you at "Frugal Rates." ~[: +)
Cheers from North East Florida.
Perfect timing. I was just about to buy a semi silvered mirror. Thank you!
***** You're welcome!
May consider using 1/8'' plexiglass or lexan, will last a long time if handled and cleaned properly, no chance of breakage or injury if accidentally bumped or dropped. Still great build, keep it up!
great setup and such a simple addition to what you already have... I would suggest that you use either some duct tape or electrical tape at the edges of the glass for a little extra safety... shouldn't interfere with the camera picture... I built one about a year ago after seeing the one indy mogul built... then I saw the one David Malki built... I used his idea... good cardboard, a frame I literally found on the side of the road, some random wood... only thing I had to buy was a 1/4" wood insert (to mount the base to a light stand) and black spray paint... we use it for our church vid announcements... so much better than setting the ipad up behind the camera... I still need to make a better cloth cover (an old black shirt has worked well for the last year though)... and proper beam splitter glass would be nice for when we film outside... makes doing scripted things so nice and you don't get the horrid eye wobble like you see even on TV commercials sometimes.... good job at making inexpensive film production look better and have more function
Mark Thomas The tape on the edges is a good idea and would definitely help with safety. Thanks!
I've backed the Parrot Teleprompter. Can't wait to have a go at teleprompting.
I was hoping to be able to share a very low cost way of making our own prompter using either javascript or the marquee attribute in html. Both techniques can produce a scrolling script, but it is just easier to write the script, then copy and paste it into the easy prompter website, which scrolls much smoother than either of the other techniques I tried.
And, on that note, the flipping of the text... if you use a mirror and a piece of glass, you can place (securely) a laptop in a rig, much like a periscope, and the text will be the right way for you as you read it.
When I used the free prompting software, and easy prompt would work well as well with this, I placed my laptop on a ladder as close to the lens as I could. I was back a bit from the camera / ladder, but it worked very well for my purpose, and no one could tell I was using a prompter.
Lastly, if you don't mind taking short takes, you can memorize short pages of script and splice it all together later.
My favorite technique on that was like a jump cit with a slight (15 frames) of an overlap (dissolve) between jump cuts to soften the change. If I moved too far from framing, a longer dissolve would get the job done.
I just made a teleprompter with a glass-lidded jewelry box, which was really easy -- but this is way cooler and looks pretty pro.
#1 The closer you are to the prompter, the more eye movement you will see. Move the camera back a foot or so and punch in. You will be surprised how much less your eyes move from left to right while reading.
#2 With the HDMI monitor you are using, there is a menu option that allows you to flip the image from left to right. (Mirroring) This would allow for you to not have to flip the image in the teleprompter that you are using. This would allow your frugal teleprompter operator to monitor the feed while still giving the talent the correct mirrored feed.
Thanks for sharing
this is pretty cool actually! Nice Job on the sponsorship! They know a good UA-cam channel when they see one. and yes, you are super cool!
RSpudieD Ha! Thanks Spud!
thefrugalfilmmaker no problem!
Is the connector cable between the monitor and the computer a regular USB cable? If not what is the cable and where on ebay can they be scored. Thanks for the great work you do to keep us active in DYI.
Thanks for getting rid of those stupid google pre-vid clips.
Anyone know of any good Android apps that would allow you to use a tablet as the prompter screen?
Still looks like you're reading. You need to back up and zoom in.
I purchase some $2.95 samples from telepromptermirror.com. - Dollar Tree is cheaper but this is another option. The samples I got were about 7" by 7". Of course you have to pay shipping so I bought extra to dilute the shippimg cost
Very cool. I like the simple approach you took. Also nice storage option. It's hard to beat for a buck. Finally, I think I might be first commenter, so woo-hoo!
What program do you use for your green screen effects and can the program also be used for photography purposes. If not what program do you recommend when using the green screen as a backdrop for photography?
The sheet of glass is not safe. Too easy to cut yourself on the exposed edges. A cheap picture frame would protect the edges.
Richard Wasserman The glass does need to be exposed (which rules out the frame) where it connects to the flash bracket, but the remaining edges could be covered by gaff tape for safety.
It will work, I guess, unless, like a lot of young people now, you can't really read well.
i just got a new camera and im looking to compare different cameras. Would that dual flash bracket be able to hold 2 dslr cameras on a tripod so i could get side by side shots?
PeglegMedia Possibly. It would just depend on the width of the cameras. Check the specs on the bracket via the eBay link.
during the sponsor I looked for the skip ad botton
I actually think you are pretty cool...
"Is he just super cool?"
You should have said, "Yes! But that's not the reason." :P
First!
video blocks is dum