First you’ll need a good sturdy tripod. This one has a special video camera column which allows you to level the head independently of the tripod legs’ position.

It is worth getting a proper video head, since unlike those designed for normal stills cameras, this will have nice “fluid” movements and an arm to help with smooth panning of the video camera.

This video head also features a useful quick release camera plate

 Next you’ll need some means of mounting the Tele-Prompt computer screen in front of the video camera.  Indoors you could set this up on a small table but I use this shallow “tray”, actually designed to support a 35 mm slide projector.

In the studio, this is mounted on to a normal lighting stand using a tilting monopod head. But when working on location, I use a second tripod, for added flexibility. The items shown here are made by Italian manufacturer Manfrotto.   

 Next, adjust the height of the computer screen so it’s positioned just below the video camera lens. You should aim to have the very minimum vertical “gap” between the centre of the lens and the text area your presenter is reading from.

Now, by positioning your presenter some distance away - about 8 -12 feet is generally needed, the gap between the centre of the lens and the area they are reading from is no longer apparent. And they appear to be looking directly at the camera! 

 With your presenter several feet away from the camera and screen, you need to use a telephoto lens setting to fill the frame and make them appear to be quite close to the camera. You’ll also need to choose a font that is large enough to be read at a distance.

Finally, you can set up a wireless keyboard and mouse or invest in one of our USB remote control pedals so that your talent can control Tele-Prompt. For after setting their optimum scroll speed, they may still want to fine tune that up or down slightly as they read their script.