A Teleprompter Operator is Always Prepared!
In my experience, I have found that the Boy Scouts’ motto is pertinent and pays off in life! I further contend that extensive, exhaustive preparation results in extraordinary, exciting experiences when on a teleprompter job!
It’s not often you’re in the presence of Hollywood superstars, unless, of course, you’re part of a film crew or better yet a freelance Teleprompter Operator for a production company specializing in Teleprompter Rental NYC. Not just any production company, I’m talking about The American Movie Company / TeleprompterRental.com, which prides itself on its professional, proficient staff.
Only after extensive, rigorous training in teleprompter operations is one sent out on a gig.
I was ready, confident and eager to go out on my own.
My turn came and I did just that!
To my delight, my first job was Teleprompter Operator for a series of Dr. Pepper national commercials and international spots for Latino Megastar, “The King of Bachata”, Romeo Santos.
He’s the former lead singer of “Aventura” and has been a consistent Billboard Latin chart topper since 2002. This was an incredible opportunity to work with this music god. For those who may not know, “Bachata” is a Latino genre of music that began in the Dominican Republic. Its themes are often romantic and tell tales of heartbreak and profound sadness.
Romeo Santos proved to be a true gentleman and totally unpretentious. We introduced ourselves and after a minute we began to speak in Spanish discovering we shared the same ethnic background.
I told him to just shout “Gonzalez” whenever he had a question or any need and I would be there for him.
We trusted each other from that moment on. We connected on a very basic level. I was excited to be his teleprompter operator for the shoot and eager to please. I sensed he felt at ease with me. I familiarized him with the process and assured him that if he needed any changes to the script be it in terms of the font size or actual content that I could quickly and easily adjust it for him. All went well. I couldn’t have hoped for a more gratifying, fun, first shoot.
By Michael Gonzalez, Producer/Talent/ Webcasting Executive/ Teleprompter Operator for AMC. TeleprompterRental.com
Michael Gonzalez