Mastering the teleprompter in 2025.

Reading from a script on camera presents a distinct challenge: how to deliver lines accurately without sounding robotic or looking like you're reading. It requires a balance of preparation and practice. This guide provides a step-by-step process, from script preparation to final recording, to help you use a teleprompter effectively.

How to write and format a script for teleprompters.

The quality of your delivery starts with your script. A poorly formatted script will make you stumble, no matter how much you practice.

• Write for speaking, not reading: Use simple, conversational language. If it feels awkward to say, rewrite it. Read your script out loud to catch unnatural phrasing.
• Format for readability:
  • Use a large, clear, sans-serif font (like Helvetica or Arial).
  • Use sentence case, not all caps, which is harder to read quickly.
  • Double-space the lines to give your eyes a clear path.
• Add tactical cues: Don't just write words; add directions.
  • Phonetic spelling: For difficult names or technical terms, write them out phonetically in brackets. Example: "Pyotr [Pee-YOH-ter] has the report."
  • Action cues: Add delivery instructions in all caps, like (PAUSE), (SMILE), or (POINT TO CHART). This helps you remember to do more than just read.

Step 1: choosing your teleprompter setup.

Your choice of hardware directly affects your workflow and the final video quality.

• The DIY approach: A popular option for beginners involves a cardboard box, a pane of glass from a picture frame, and a tablet or smartphone. These are inexpensive but bulky and can result in a visible double reflection or 'ghosting' of the text. This is a good way to start a DIY teleprompter project.
• The pro-rig approach: Professional setups use camera-mounted frames with a high-quality beamsplitter mirror. This mirror reflects the script from a monitor below while allowing the camera to record through it with minimal light loss. This is the standard for broadcast television but is often costly and not portable.
• The integrated approach (Even G1): Teleprompter glasses are the setup itself. There is no external rig, mirror, or mount to assemble. You wear them like standard eyewear, and the script is displayed directly in your line of sight. This method provides high portability with no separate equipment.

Quick look: teleprompter types.

Step 2: software configuration and scroll control.

The teleprompter software running your script is just as important as the hardware. Whether you use teleprompter on iphone or a dedicated display, control is key.

Choosing your scrolling method.

• Manual scroll: The user taps a screen or remote to advance the script. It gives you full control but can lead to jerky, unnatural pacing.
• Auto scroll: The script moves at a constant, preset speed (words per minute). It's consistent, but it can't adapt if you pause or speed up.
• Voice-activated AI scroll: This is the modern standard. The software listens to your voice and advances the script as you speak, pausing when you pause.

Mastering remote control.

You shouldn't have to reach for your device to control the script. Popular options include using your phone's volume buttons, a dedicated handheld Bluetooth remote, or a foot pedal for hands-free operation.

Even G1 offers all three scrolling methods—Manual, Auto, and AI—controlled via the companion app or the built-in TouchBar on the glasses' temple. This provides an integrated experience without needing separate software solutions.

Step 3: practice & performance techniques.

Confident delivery is a learned skill. Use these teleprompter practice techniques to improve your on-camera presence.

Fundamental practice.

Start with dry runs. Read your script aloud several times to find a natural rhythm. Adjust the scroll speed of your autocue practice session until it feels comfortable, not rushed. Familiarizing yourself with a text reduces the mental load required to perform a task, freeing up your cognitive resources to focus on delivery and emotion.

Advanced techniques for a natural delivery.

• Read ahead: Train your eyes to scan one to two lines ahead of the words you're currently speaking. This helps you anticipate what's next and avoid a monotonous, word-for-word reading style.
• Handle ad-libs: It's okay to go off script. Practice saying a quick, unscripted thought and find your place again in the text. This makes your delivery feel more spontaneous and authentic.
• Use body language: Avoid standing stiffly. Use natural hand gestures and maintain good posture to appear more relaxed and confident on camera.

With teleprompter glasses, you can practice these techniques anywhere. Without being tethered to a camera rig, you can rehearse in different environments.

Step 4: perfecting the eyeline.

The most common mistake when reading from teleprompter is "shifty eyes"—the subtle but noticeable scanning motion as your eyes move across a screen. This breaks the connection with your audience. The goal is to read from screen while looking at camera.

Maintaining direct eye contact is critical for building trust and engagement. Studies in nonverbal communication show that eye contact is a foundational element of human social interaction, signaling attentiveness and sincerity. With traditional teleprompters, you must consciously try to minimize this scanning movement.

Even G1 is designed to address this problem directly. The script is projected onto the lens, appearing in your direct field of view, invisible to others. To the camera, your eyes are looking straight ahead, directly into the lens. This makes off-axis eye movement physically impossible, creating a perfect eyeline.

Step 5: recording with your script.

Bringing all the elements together for the final take requires a simple workflow. If you want to achieve professional video recording with teleprompter, the process matters.

Traditional rig workflow.

1. Position the camera on its tripod.
2. Mount the teleprompter rig in front of the lens.
3. Place the tablet or phone on the rig's tray.
4. Launch the teleprompter app and start the scroll.
5. Press record on the camera.

Even G1 workflow.

1. Put on the teleprompter glasses.
2. Position your recording device (phone, DSLR, etc.).
3. Start the scroll from the companion app.
4. Press record on the camera.

This simplified process separates the prompter from the camera rig, giving you more freedom in camera placement and movement.

Common problems & troubleshooting.

Even with practice, you might run into issues. Here's how to fix them.

• Problem: "I sound robotic."
  • Solution: Your script may be the issue. Rewrite it to be more conversational. Add emotional cues like (SMILE) or (EMPHASIZE THIS) to remind yourself to vary your tone.
• Problem: "I keep losing my place."
  • Solution: Increase the font size and line spacing. Practice the "reading ahead" technique so you're not caught off guard.
• Problem: "The scroll speed is always wrong."
  • Solution: A fixed speed rarely matches human speech patterns. Switch to a voice-activated scroll method or have a colleague control the speed for you remotely.
• Problem: "My eyes hurt after a few takes."
  • Solution: You may be experiencing eye strain. Adjust the brightness of your display and ensure the text color has a high contrast with the background (e.g., white text on a black background). Take short breaks between takes.

Conclusion.

Mastering a teleprompter is a process that moves from overcoming awkwardness to achieving a natural, confident delivery. Technology has progressed from bulky DIY setups to advanced tools that solve the core challenges of teleprompting. By focusing on script preparation, deliberate practice, and using the right equipment, you can learn to read text while recording video with the polish of a professional.

For a broader understanding of how teleprompters work and their history, see the ultimate guide to teleprompters.

FAQs.