Parm Girn, Writer. Producer
Live events can be nerve-racking for speakers and performers. They are faced with the task of delivering a speech or singing a song, all while connecting with the audience. Teleprompters allow talent to pay attention to their showmanship rather than stress over their lines. Using such a device enhances their performance skills. A question we are frequently asked from event coordinators and production managers looking for a teleprompter is “What kind of teleprompter will work for my event?”
Presidential Teleprompter vs Confidence Monitor and Podium Prompter
The Presidential Teleprompter
Presidential Teleprompter
The Presidential Teleprompter is a two-stand setup ideal for events where speakers will be delivering speeches while standing at a podium. As its name suggests, this type of teleprompter is widely used by politicians when giving speeches.
Each prompter stand is placed on either side of the podium. It gives the speaker access to the script from different angles, while he/she stands in place. A monitor placed at the base of the stand projects the script onto the glass panels rigged at the top of the stand. The speaker then only needs to look at the glass panel to read the script!
The Confidence Monitor
Another popular option for live events is the confidence monitor (aka Rock ‘n Roll monitor). These teleprompters are often placed downstage and are best for events where speakers and/or talent will be moving around the stage while addressing the audience.
This teleprompter option can be found in use at a variety of events from panels to concerts to Ted Talks! Talent can walk, run, and jump around the stage as they please and simply look downstage to the monitor in order to view the script/speech/lyrics.
Confidence Monitor
The teleprompter is available in different sizes to accommodate different types of venues and placements – from those that are small enough to fit on a piano’s music rack, to larger monitors that can be placed at large, iconic venues and concert halls.
Although usually placed downstage, the confidence monitor can also be placed at the back-of-the-house via a freestanding setup. This will allow the speaker/performer to view the script by looking behind the audience. The drawback to this setup is that any audience member can turn around and view the text.
The American Movie Company and Teleprompter Rental is a celebrity friendly company that is proud to have prompted for a variety of political figures and A-listers across the nation at live events. If you have any questions regarding teleprompter rentals for your event, feel free to give us a call at 212.219.1075 or email us at bill@americanmovieco.com
The Podium Prompter
This is a thin prompter monitor which sits out of sight on the podium. It’s operated by our technician offstage via a thin hidden cable. The podium prompter has these advantages:
- It’s less expensive. $745 rather than . $845.
- It’s much easier and less costly to ship should that be required.
- It’s totally hidden form the view of the audience.
- It’s considerably faster to set up.
But the Presidential Unit has the great advantage of letting the speaker look directly out at the audience at all times while still looking directly at the flowing text.
We look forward to entertaining your questions!
