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Video teleprompters can cost over $1,000, so I built my own cheap, portable DIY prompter with a camera mount, for only $35 in parts. I used a 10″ LCD monitor I already owned, but you could easily modify the build for an iPad, Kindle, or tablet PC. Without the camera and LCD, the unit weighs 4 lbs.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or suggestions!
I LEARNED
1) It’s easy to build a cheap teleprompter!
2) Regular glass, although not super bright or sharp, works pretty well. You may not need to spring for more expensive beamsplitter glass designed for teleprompters. Update: I found even better glass, for free: http://youtu.be/hZaQWkRGtw8
3) At 10′ from the camera, it’s hard to notice the talent’s eyes darting back and forth while reading, and it looks much better than an off-camera monitor or cue cards.
SHOPPING LIST
($14) 8×10 solid wood picture frame — to position the reflecting glass
($7.50) 2×2′ sheet of birch plywood — as a monitor base
($1) 4′ pine 1×2 — for the camera mounting arm
($3.50) small hinges — to attach the frame and monitor base
($0.60) 5/16″ dowel rod — to support the frame
($1.20) 4 shelf hooks — to hold the monitor in place
($0.20) 1/4-20×1.5″ screw — to mount the camera
($1.10) 1/4-20″ wood insert — as a tripod mount
($4.50) square yard of flannel — to shield the unit from light
($1.40) and an elastic band — optional: for a lens-hugging sleeve
TOOLS I USED
jig saw
miter saw
drill
hammer
screwdrivers
screws and nails
wood glue
gaff tape
sewing needle and thread
I’m using freeware Prompt! Light for PC/Mac, available at http://movieclip.biz/prompt.html
DETAILS NOT EXPLAINED IN THE VIDEO
-I found the 10″ LCD monitor last year through DVXuser: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?228254-10-quot-1024×600-monitor-with-battery-and-HDMI-input-for-your-upcoming-GH2-130-only
-Text on the regular picture frame glass looks slightly blurry, especially at small sizes, because the image is reflecting off both sides of the non-mirrored glass, creating a slightly offset duplicate.
-I included a thin strip of aluminum sandwiched between the monitor base / camera mount and bottom strip of plywood. It makes the design slightly more wobbly, but it gives me peace of mind that the camera mount won’t crack and fall off.
-The 6×6″ transparent mirror sample my local glass shop provided was too dark (even if I bumped up my camera’s exposure in a well lit room), but after this video, I found a lighter, 12×12″ sample, and my glass shop cut it to 8×10″ for free! Video update: http://youtu.be/hZaQWkRGtw8
Duration : 0:6:32
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Technorati Tags: $35, autocue, beamsplitter, BFX, budget, build, camera, cheap, diy, Do It Yourself, DSLR, filmmaking, free, Friday, glass, Griffin Hammond, handheld, home made, how to, independent, Indy Mogul, iPad, Kindle, LCD, lightweight, lyrics, mirror, monitor, music video, portable, Prompt Light, prompter, Rebecca Black, software, tablet, teleprompt, teleprompter, video
This week BFX is taking a break from building and instead giving you an update in our new host search AND giving you some hilarious bloopers!Indy Mogul’s Backyard FX features cheap, DIY filmmaking tips and tutorials including special effects, props, and camera equipment. Build episodes on Mondays and Original Short test films on Tuesdays featuring the build. Website: http://www.indymogul.comSubmit: http://www.indymogul.com/submitTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/indymogulFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/indymogul
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