Teleprompters are wonderful for allowing on-camera talent to deliver their lines while making eye contact with the camera lens. However, delivering a confident and natural performance can be challenging for some talents. As a video producer, you can help them shine by following these tips.
Write the Script in a Conversational Tone
The biggest secret to delivering a natural performance with a teleprompter is to start with a well-written script. The script should be written as if you were speaking to a person, not writing an essay. This will help the talent's performance to feel conversational and engaging to the audience.
Maybe Just Bullet Points to Stay Focused
Tips from a popular YouTube personality.
For those who are naturally gifted speakers, bullet points may be all they need to keep them on track. This can simplify the process and reduce their reliance on the prompter.
Suggest They Relax and Be Themselves
It's important they don’t get too fixated on the lens, afraid of missing a word. The talent should feel free to look away, as if they are thinking of a word and encourage they use hand gestures. This can help their performance feel more authentic and engaging. However, this ability will depend on the script, so be sure to suggest they practice reading it out loud to make sure it feels natural and comfortable for them.
Practice Makes Perfect
They should practice reading the script out loud to get a feel for the flow and cadence they want in their final performance. This will also help train their brain to place emphasis and pauses, and identify any problem areas in the script that may need to be rewritten.
Bring Emotion to the Performance
Just because the talent is reading from a teleprompter, doesn't mean they can't bring emotion to their performance. They should still act out the emotion, tone, or attitude that each sentence is supposed to convey. This will help make their performance feel genuine and engaging to the viewer.
In conclusion, teleprompters are a valuable tool for the video production process, but it takes practice and attention to detail to deliver a confident and natural performance. By following these tips, you can help your on-camera talent deliver a professional, engaging, and successful video.
For tips on writing the script, see this post.