How to Read a Teleprompter without Looking Creepy

[@chrisbrockhurst]

This is a masterclass example of demoing a product whilst reviewing it and teaching all at the same time. 👏🏼

[@bolumstar]

This is a truly amazing video

[@oneeyedphotographer]

But, you can't do that with every product every time. I could probably get away with adding my photos to my website often, because that would be part of my workflow. It would be difficult to work my Type E into a video about exploring 4WD country.

[@SciTechVault]

You are a fantastic trainer/teacher/educator.

[@akoyoat]

I’m getting the pad caster!

[@stpeterscooksriver1873]

I agree with all these comments, my flabber is ghasted.

[@NikHem343]

Seriously impressed that you were using a teleprompter all this time and still WHILE I’m seeing you read that script it just sounds like your own words and as if the text was just a transcript. Incredible.

[@AndrewSBaker]

I came to say this...

[@DavesGarage]

I've got autism, and this is a pro masking course. I had to learn all these things for my own channel by trial and error, and wish I'd known them sooner. My old videos are positively cringey compared to the smooth and slick productions I put on now! :-). Thanks for this great summary of what to do! - Dave's Garage

[@CatsMeow_]

Hey! It's Dave's Garage!

[@lewiskelly14]

Now you just have to make less creepy thumbnails

[@cubicinfinity2]

oh, hi dave

[@kekkocheng]

To be fair, your task manager tale video is passable and doesn't feel so cringey :)

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I too am autistic. When my daughters got married, I knew my speech well enough that I could talk freely about the sequence of cards I held in one hand. I didn't bother hiding those, but in a video I could simply cut those out, transition audio and video separately and maybe using a few seconds of B roll to smooth the transition.

[@JSLReview]

You made this look so easy man, networks should be scouting you as their future news anchor💯

[@gigihanmandarin]

He's most likely earning more than a typical news anchor.

[@daxvolfan]

As long as at the end of the broadcast he says, alright........I'm done.

[@operationada]

#facts

[@51Drones]

This is great Gerald. You are one of the people that I have used as an example for myself to get better at natural teleprompter videos. This will help so many people!

[@geraldundone]

Very kind! Thank you.

[@ogonzilla]

Holy crap, you're so good at this!! Makes me slightly rethink the "wing it" strategy. lol

[@SamuelStreetlife]

*high five*

[@TomFord_]

😂😂😂 can't you go wrong with a teleprompter

[@cuteek]

Here to say the same! I’ve been winging it for years but I’m actually considering using a teleprompter now 😅

[@joeniedbala]

A peek behind the curtain. And I think that the thing to stress is that this is PROFESSIONALISM, not faking it. It's conveying information with clarity. When done RIGHT, nothing is a put on, just a refined version of the person presenting.

[@LukeBarousse]

I think you just convinced me to get a teleprompter! 🙌🏼 Currently, I try to memorize a line for my script and then fumble over that line multiple times until I get it right.... 10 min videos usually take me over an hour to shoot 🤦🏼‍♂

[@JedDobre]

I feel you! Hahah the struggle is real!

[@PopcornandVinyl]

I had the same thing. Not only did it take forever to record, but then the editing time increases. I just got a teleprompter and recorded 5 videos in one night pretty much in one take each.

[@gigihanmandarin]

It gets easier with practice. Teleprompter is unnatural. Most can't be as good as Gerald and they turn out monotonous and boring, appearing obviously reading from a teleprompter.

[@LukeBarousse]

@@gigihanmandarin yeah thats my one MAIN concern!

[@ailo4x4]

Never, ever, EVER memorize your script. Why? Because if you stumble anywhere you will completely lose your place and it will show. Write it down, practice it out loud until it is natural and then...use bullet points. You are the expert in what you are talking about, so show it. The bullet points are there to keep you on track. When you see "turn camera on' (or whatever) you know to talk about turning the camera on, then the next one might be "Set white balance" and then talk about that. It lets your expertise come through without looking like you are reading it verbatim (because you aren't!). Once you get it down, you will never go back. Best of luck!

[@ChutneyCity]

I think this is one of the underrated part of being a KZbinr: the performance aspect, even when one is not performing in the artistic sense (acting, singing or dancing)

[@donttellhimpike2043]

GU is the best I have seen using a teleprompter. But, honestly, I wouldn't have known until he told us! Having just wanted a bunch of How to Use a Teleprompter videos, they ALL looked like they were reading. Something didn't quite feel authentic. If there was an Olympic medal for this, Gerald is going for gold! He looks away, pauses, seems to be gathering thoughts. Masterclass.

[@SashaYanshin]

Absolutely love using a teleprompter - I found I could fit in approximately 50% more useful content into the same amount of time with a teleprompter compared to before I started using it. A game changer. Also - thanks for everything you do Gerald. I completely binge watched your channel when I was first starting mine!

[@squaremotionart6019]

:-) I love teleprompter too... especially being behind the camera with the CEO in front of it ... LOL... saves sooooo much time and embarrassment...

[@mateovisbal]

Your ad reads are so smart. You use them went testing mics or pre amps, and you used them to show an example of how you read ad reads. genius

[@BenPatrik]

This is one of the most useful videos I’ve seen in weeks. You were already breaking the fourth wall by looking into the camera, but I think you broke the fifth in this video 😂 the way you explained your process is so meta. I hadn’t even considered a teleprompter before and you convinced me in 5 and a half minutes that I have to have one. I thought you were just an eloquent speaker before today. I guess the best speakers don’t speak, they read.

[@AmjadMuhammad13]

I was thinking the other day of how concise, quick and crisp your communication was and how you always manage to compress extremely technical subjects in relatively short and engaging youtube videos. It takes a lot of skills to be one of the best in a field, and you certainly are. All the love from Syria 👏

[@TonyRush21]

You know, I have ALWAYs wondered how in the world you could flow so seamlessy in the knowledge of whatever topic you were presenting. LOL...You are something else. Your execution of reading from a teleprompter is FLAWLESS!!

[@Tubeytime]

Thanks to this video, I can now spot anybody who's reading from a teleprompter because they all look like they're succeeding at trying to look natural.

[@tombuck]

These are really awesome tips! Love the very accurate portrayal of someone being transfixed with the prompter 😬

[@brianmillerspeaks]

This is the video I've been meaning to make, and now I don't have to! So many of my clients - as a speaking coach for TEDx speakers and leaders - have asked me how I remember all my scripts, and when they find out I use a teleprompter they freak out because it seems too natural. I've been asked over and over to share my tips, but here you've really nailed it. I'll be sharing this video with all of my clients and network. Thanks Gerald.

[@CheqkoO95]

We have been using teleprompters for a month now and these tips will help us take our videos to the next level. We do mostly corporate videos and I think we really need to make those wordy videos feel more engaging. Thank you!

[@MarekValasik]

What's even more impressive that it looks like a 1 long take. Fooled me there, looks brilliantly natural. Bravo.

[@izzynobre]

Brilliant. I picked up these skills after years of using my prompter (same as yours, btw), and I wish I had a video like this years ago when I started! Could've cut my awkward videos by half 😂😂

[@6MonthsLater]

Had no idea you were using one. Well done and thanks for another fantastic video!

[@BimoNuksmo]

Now this is NOT "just a KZbinr reading manual book for you". Thank you Gerald for keeping being awesome, informative and friendly.

[@misterdeity]

Hey Gerald! Fellow KZbinr, and big fan. This is great stuff. As someone who's been doing something similar for fifteen years now, there are a few other tricks I can recommend. I put in eclipses at the end of words to help me remember to pause and break up the sentence. Words in all caps also help me to remember that a particular word needs to be... EMPHASIZED. And I cannot second you enough when it comes to making sure you read your script out loud FIRST - and probably a few times. You will quickly learn whether you've written something which only works on paper (or screen).

[@TommoCarroll]

This video is perfection. I’ve finally just started using a prompter for some videos and it’s game changing, but the tips in this video will help out a lot!

[@AdamsApples]

No way it's Tommo!!

[@AnthonyGugliotta]

I picked up a Glide Gear Promoter and am quite happy with it. Tried it with the PromptSmart app and my phone. The phone helps keep the text narrower than a tablet so your eyes don't scan as much, PromptSmart has voice detection so it scrolls automatically as you read. Game changer.

[@mraznjohnny]

Great job Gerald . When I got tricked into being the local high school speech and debate coach this would have been the invaluable. One might even call your Vlog on using a teleprompter the text book on speaking in public forums.

[@ailo4x4]

Coming from a guy who taught intelligence analysts how to write and give briefs to senior officials for decades, that was AWESOME! The two most important elements you hit square on the head; use words that fit in YOUR mouth and practice OUT LOUD. Well done, G-man, well done indeed!

[@djangohoudini8245]

Thank you so much! Great tips! I will put them to use with a very shy teleprompter reader next week.

[@jolyoncox]

Gerald, I'm pretty sure you are the only person who could make this video and then have me watch it all the way through! Very good to see you.

[@FrugalRepair]

This was great to watch! Thanks for doing this and good tips.

[@NephiylusBaphson]

That's the best segue to an sponsored segment I've ever seen because it wasn't even a segue, it was literaly part of the video as a demonstration of what he was talking about. Absolutely flawless script-writing.

[@Dmogul]

Smooth Real Smooth, I like your explanation I might just have to try a teleprompter.

[@thim0]

I'm baffled by how you spoke for 2+ minutes at a time without stuttering once. And looking incredibly natural. What a great skill to have!

[@flochfitness]

Dang! I always thought you were thoughtful and concise in delivering your content, but this video just makes me feel even more impressed because of how challenging the teleprompter is. Great work Gerald!!!!

[@fvgoya]

1:10 MAN!!!!!! That transition from natural reading to "robotic" reading was AWESOME!!!!! You demonstrated it PERFECTLY!!!!!!

[@CheeseTurbulence]

I don't use a telepromter but a lot of these tips also apply for reading a voice-over script off camera. I very much appreciate this, I discovered some of them myself but for the others, thank you 🙂

[@rtcinema]

I think that was the fastest 5 minutes that I've watched on youtube. There were so many subtle gems in this video that I know it's going to be one to watch over and over as I'm learning to make better videos.

[@SipandFeast]

Thanks for the tips, Gerald. I am buying this right now.

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

Wow - I only just realised, based on this, that most of the KZbin videos I watch, are filmed with a teleprompter. I guess I'd just implicitly assumed before this that they were just naturally good speakers, but now I see, with the flawless speech, and lack of pauses, interruptions or mis-steps, that it's so clearly teleprompted! How could I have missed this! Thank you - this was so helpful.

[@TechReflex]

Super helpful tips man, this is really the video I needed. I think the most important point for me was writing scripts that sound natural verbally, instead of writing them like a text article.

[@SteveCoutts]

Great advice! I used to record my scripted videos one paragraph at a time and it took hours to get through longer scripts. It was difficult and exhausting work and on occasion that stress would be visible, albeit subtly, in the video. The Parrot is an absolute game changer! It has saved me immeasurable time and frustration and I couldn't do what I do without it.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Such good advice all across the board. I use the same prompter and it's been great.

[@SnareSpectre]

It's a strange (but wonderful!) day when a comment from one of my favorite board game content creators appears on one of my favorite photography content creator's videos!

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@SnareSpectre Gerald is aces. Nice to run into you here Snare :)

[@kussin1265]

This guys a damn genius, masking his ad segment as a way to teach and give an example. Absolute mad lad.

[@Thuvu5]

This is so helpful Gerald! I use a teleprompter for some of my technical videos, and yes, it is so difficult to act out the emotions and I look like a creep sometimes no matter how hard I try to look friendly 😂. You're soooo good at this. Love the tips you gave, thanks a lot!

[@TesLatino]

Gerald, I think this must be one of the most valuable videos that you have published on your channel. Great value for creators. You're a legend!

[@RobertLewinTv]

So glad you made this video. Many thanks, bro! Definitely a good look. Was needed! 👊🏽

[@joshualelo]

This is the video I will now be sending to clients who want to use my teleprompter services. THANK YOU!

[@omarknowsphotos]

I was going to make a video for the execs at the company I work at to make it feel more natural but I'm literally just going to send them this. Another slamtouchdownrundunk of a video, Gerald!

[@allanclloyds]

I've been asked to set up a teleprompter before for client work and I've never been sure it's a good idea for someone who hasn't used one before. As you've demonstrated it's a real skill in and of itself!

[@TerryMurrayTalks]

You make that look easy, excellent prompter work :)

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Also fewer jump cuts are needed. Thanks mammothly much Gerald. 💛🙏🏼

[@AustenPaul]

Such a great tutorial! Thank you for the insight!

[@ShumuStudios]

Sir, this was stellar, I can see the experience in your eyes. And that "don't emote when you wouldn't" part was brilliant. Respect!

[@timmilgram]

Just ordered the teleprompter from the link in your description. Easy sell. Hope it makes 20 second KZbin outros take a few minutes to record instead of a whole hour 😅

[@optimumfilms]

Did it work?

[@NeilEvery]

Until you've actually been in front of a teleprompter and done this, its hard to grasp how tough this. Mad props Gerald, you make it look so easy. Great tips - I've directed a lot of folks in front of a prompter and there's a few things here that are gold.

[@greinalexandra]

The video i was waiting for 🙌

[@TonyRush21]

And loved the way you ended this video. Even now that it is confirmed that you are using a teleprompter, it still doesnt seem that way to me. Like I said, you are GOOD!!

[@UncleJessy]

Gah damn. This was wild and honestly has me reconsidering how I record “off the cuff”

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Dude, legit 5 minutes a 26 seconds you just delivered the best possible lesson I didn't even know I needed. Then mic drop at the end like "I SAID WHAT I SAID" haha.

[@mathiaswilhelm1902]

"how to read a teleprompter without looking like joe Biden"

[@jacksonkingsley7414]

Hi Gerald, great video, thanks. One recommendation I might add is to check out Prompt Smart Pro. The only downside of your teleprompter is you’re stuck reading at a fixed pace all the way through. With Prompt Smart it’s voice activated, so listens to you speak and moves the script for you. Hope that helps.

[@braykers2226]

Hopefully Joe Biden sees this video

[@phoebesmith8154]

😂😂

[@angaiser6299]

😂

[@KhonsurasBalancedWaytoWellness]

Hopefully Trump learns how to read before he tries one.😂😂😂😂

[@braykers2226]

@@KhonsurasBalancedWaytoWellness good thing he can read just fine

[@rajkrish9347]

And dont look lost like Kamala 😂

[@RibeyeconAdventures]

wow you are good! I am gonna have to watch the video again to get all the points you were making, because I was too mesmerized by the fact that you were reading from teleprompter the whole time, while looking completely natural the WHOLE TIME! Awesome.

[@DigitalicaEG]

Somebody tell Biden about this

[@sarniasam]

Having used a teleprompter and written scripts, your advice is spot on.

[@AutoExpertJC]

Hey Gerald. Like you I am a KZbinr (with about the same number of subs, incidentally, albeit I'm from Australia and my content is all about cars). I've been watching your reports for years, and the camera/production advice is excellent. I routinely read the prompter for 10 to 20-minute packages (I have hundreds of videos done in this way), and it took a long time to get it slick. I would add to your excellent suggestions that you should probably read the scripts out loud 2-3 times apiece before rolling on it (helps you log the hard bits and implement countermeasures). It's always good to set the prompter speed a bit faster than you read, so all you need to do is pause the prompter when it threatens to overtake you. (Easier than having to ad lib if you set it too slow.) Finally, pretend that the prompter is a person, and you're talking to them, and don't worry if it's not perfect at it for some time - the way to get good at anything is to start off bad, and persevere. Love your work, and thanks.

[@jedwilliams]

BEST how to with a teleprompter I've ever seen that didn't get into the technical side at all. Thank you.

[@kapilesh14]

Another video demonstrating Gerald's brilliance and why he is simply the best.

[@IAjayMukhiya]

I dont know how you did it, but I even watched the ad with full attention. Perfect video I was looking for. Thanks for making.

[@EdwardKilner]

You make worthwhile videos. This one was packed with good advice. During the pandemic, we have watched a number of talking heads, including the Premier of Ontario, who desperately needed your advice. They’re none too good on including graphics, but small KZbinr’s have no problems. Thanks for your efforts.

[@dylanthompson9983]

Literally got halfway through the video and instantly used your link to buy one of these. Game changer 👊🏼😎

[@usablellc6735]

This is SPOT ON. It's something I had to learn when I started teaching online during COVID. The key as you've pointed out is to write the script in your speaking voice and to rehearse. I'm getting better at this but I'm nowhere near as good at it as you are! One additional tip... I use test-to-speech to hear my script as a viewer would. This helps out. Also, I insert a few 'improvisations" that I think of on the fly.

[@azizajane8019]

i've been doing it all wrong all this while..your tuition on this subject opens up my horizon..million thanks to you sir..

[@TheFreedomFreak]

I was today years old when I learned that teleprompters for the consumer market exist and that they aren't actually unaffordable

[@DiegoTerzano]

Great process Gerald, professional and intuitive. I never thought you were using Teleprompter. Comes across natural and flows extremely well. Kudos!

[@counterweightshenanigans2808]

I've always been amazed how he's able to say so much so fast. Thought he was just brilliant and speaking off the top of his head.

[@andyteel5981]

Thank you Gerald! You just saved me a ton of explaining to everyone I work with. We are venturing down the road of creating concise but consumabel content, utilizing a prompter, and my friends are showing some signs of anxiety about this. I can't wait to share this perfectly executed video. I always walk away smarter after watching your posts! You are so good at this... I wish you continued success!

[@TransplantHelper]

I don’t use a teleprompter but I’ve often wondered how some do and still seem so personal. Excellent video

[@DanielLearnsPiano]

Using a teleprompter felt like a superpower after trying and failing to deliver lines from a script without one. Never mind trying to wing it without a script. That required a jump cut after every other word to get rid of all the ums and ers. This video really delivers the benefits.

[@MaxRovensky]

2:05 this is important not just for teleprompters I was working on a video recently and I wrote a conversation between 2 people and it seemed perfect Then I tried reading it out before giving it to actual people and nothing flowed right, so I had to rewrite most of if

[@ChrisWilmshurst]

Great tips Gerald, I've found that shrinking the text and slowing it down on your teleprompter helps if you dont have a big space to move the camera further away!

[@AkshayKumar-sd1mx]

The text moving in realtime in the top left is a great demonstration, I was trying to do everything you were saying while reading from it.

[@kwameryan]

OMG I've been waiting for this reveal. Thanks Gerald!

[@PW-qy8mf]

Not only are you a great teacher who I could easily listen to for hours, but you indeed have a special comedic talent! I'm always enjoying your videos! Thank you! 🙏

[@1AXMRDR]

Great video. Most people that have no fear of talking to groups of people don't like to talk to cameras. You provided some very useful tips. Thanks for sharing.

[@Spartan9567]

Oh wow, I never even thought you used one. You're so natural at it, thanks for the tips.

[@HannsSchmelzer]

This video is treasure chest full of gold coins! Thank you so much Gerald of Rivia.

[@AlhamdulillahAkhi]

Absolute masterclass in teleprompter reading. Had no idea you were reading from a teleprompter. Wont be able to look at you in the eye the same ever again loool

[@CedricMessemanne]

These tips are pure gold, and can also apply to many corporate interview situation where people just blandly recite what they learnt by heart, and it sounds awful. Thanks for putting all these tips together and adding some rational explanations to each advice.

[@joenicklo]

Thanks for making this. I just switched to using one finally. It's saved me so much time.

[@ToKiniAndy]

Best transition to sponsor read ever. lol This was super useful. I don't think I'm terrible at reading a prompter, but these little tips will help make me much better. Appreciate it!

[@MatthewMcCarty]

I have seriously been saying all of this for years and I'm so glad someone put it into a video I can share. 100% agree with it all and I try and do all of these with the videos I'm using a prompter for. Thanks!

[@t1000se]

These are great tips. As a not native English speaker 've been thinking about getting one but didn't wanna look like I am reading from somewhere. Amazing tips.

[@marcusslade9804]

For a guy who has a fast-paced delivery (stylistically similar to Ted Forbes…and I wonder if he prepares with a teleprompter?) you are polished, effective and engaging. It’s a lot of work to come off appearing impromptu. Brilliantly effective lesson.

[@PopcornandVinyl]

The timing of this was great. I just got a teleprompter and started recording with it. Aside from all the pros you mentioned here, the biggest win for me is way less editing time by screwing up what I was going to say causing me to do way too many takes.

[@RQRproducts]

this guy is so good. it's honestly unreasonable.

[@foreignerintaiwan]

Telepromters are great time savers. My favorite spot is 50mm but I use an iPad and I like closer shots.

[@MattPochwat]

I always try to write scripts using voice typing. This is nice because I can write scripts while going out for a walk and it always has that benefit of sounding more natural in the end. As someone who struggles with talking to the camera, teleprompters are awesome.

[@elliotmedia]

frick that was clean. Wasn't even an innately interesting subject, but i watched the whole way through. And sneaking in that ad sponsor also using as one of your tips, freaking genius. Bravo

[@BensTechLab]

Timely! 👍 Just recorded a studio tour video using a teleprompter for the first time ever... and it was fabulous! I recorded what will be something like a 12 minute video after editing in 39 real-world minutes. Normally I would have recorded ~2 hours with bad takes. It's not just saving that 1-1/3 hours of recording time, but the edit should now be faster with less bad takes to sort through.