AutoCue & Steadicam

[michael carstensen]

Hi Peeps

 

I just started a new TV show that runs a pre-recorded show once a week. While we go through teething problems in the format of shooting the show, the producers asked me if I could mount the Auto-cue to my rig... Of course I said I will give it a bash, but unfortunately its about as heavy as a SI2K mini 3D rig the camera sits a good 3 inches off the back of my rig and is too badly configured with the Autocue bracket that It just wont balance let alone make drop time... just too top heavy

 

My question to the Forum is do you know of any makes of AutoCue out there that I could look at rigging up. Its a case of doing the right research - The monitor on our Autocue is 22 inches and I feel there must be a smaller solution to the monitor firstly and maybe there is a bracket I could design. But if anyone has had the same problem I could do with the knowledge.

 

Thanks For your time guys.

 

Michael Carstensen

[James Davis]

Not that I really know much about autocues or prompters, but something like this would seem to fit the bill for what you described?

 

http://tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=listec&itemnum=STL-2012P

[michael carstensen]

Thanks James

 

Thats the sort of thing I need, If I can get the budget

 

Check this out... I love Apple, but when you can do this it just boggles my mind

 

http://www.autocue.com/prompter-iPad%20Straight-Read

[Kris Torch Wilson]

Michael,

 

Just about everyone I work with here in the U.S. mounts a small 6" or 7" monitor on top of the lens very similar to the Ipad set up. I get the impression you don't think that would work. It works great and weighs a fraction of a mirror and monitor. Yes, there is a limit to distance away from talent, but when do you really expect to be more than a few meters away from them?

And unless the talent is right on top of you there is minimal eye line issues. Save the back and your money for wine and women.

Here is the one I use.

 

http://www.lcd4video.com/products/LCD4Video-7%22-LCD-Monitor.html

 

Kris

[Aaron Foley]

Michael mate not sure if you've seen them but check out prompter peoples line up of ipad teleprompters.

 

http://www.prompterpeople.com/teleprompters/ipad-teleprompters/proline-ipad-teleprompter.html

or the cheaper

http://www.prompterpeople.com/teleprompters/ipad-teleprompters/flex-series-ipad-teleprompter.html

 

Easiest solution i've found.

There pretty cheap and simple and have the benefit over the the small monitors or ipad mounted above the camera that the talent is looking into the lens rather than above (which just looks weird)

Just a note it'll make your life easier if make sure you pair them with a laptop rather than an ipad or iphone as editing on the fly is a mongrel on both.

Regards

Aaron

[Peter Abraham]

Greetings,

 

Good question here. At NAB last week, Tiffen debuted the new SteadiPrompt. Comes with an 8" or 10" monitor. Through the lens. Very rigid. This last detail is so key with our rigs, of course. Back in the day, I flew the prototype Shoebox Prompter from Listec. It was excellent but the image was much smaller than this new rig.

 

Listec is now a part of The Tiffen Company, and so the push was on to develop a Steadicam-friendly teleprompter. Will keep all posted as the unit approaches the point where we are taking orders and shipping SteadiPrompts.

 

I helped to design it and flew it an awful lot at NAB. Rock solid. The entire thing including glass and LCD weighed 6 pounds. ( The 8" Panel was on board ).

 

 

Best to all,

 

Peter Abraham

Director of Technical Services, Steadicam®

The Tiffen Company

[michael carstensen]

Thank you so much guys

 

Im super interested in using the iPad, I see you can actually control the app with your iphone... wow its pretty incredible.

 

Thanks for all your help its very much appreciated.

 

Have a fantastic Easter and all the best wishes from Cape Town SA

 

Michael

[Mark Schlicher]

Peter,

 

Photos of the prototype?

[Andrew Ansnick]

...At NAB last week, Tiffen debuted the new SteadiPrompt. Comes with an 8" or 10" monitor. Through the lens. Very rigid.

 

I helped to design it and flew it an awful lot at NAB. Rock solid. The entire thing including glass and LCD weighed 6 pounds. ( The 8" Panel was on board )....

 

I can also speak highly of the build quality of this onboard prompter. I spent some time flying it around and was very impressed not only with the rigidity and it's lightweight but even more so with it's modularity. It comes with a different riser which allows for just about any camera you'd run across in the field to be mounted to it and still position the lens properly, centered in the mirror. For example, there was an EX3 mounted on it at NAB. Overall, a very nice setup!

[Peter Abraham]

Peter,

 

Photos of the prototype?

 

 

 

Mark et al,

Asking around to see who might have some good shots of it. Will post if I can find some- I didn't take any ( was very very bizzy !!! )

 

Best,

 

Peter

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

Im super interested in using the iPad, I see you can actually control the app with your iphone... wow its pretty incredible.

I looked into this also... if only an excuse to buy iPad2

 

Problem is that you have to be near the other iPad/iPhone/Laptop that is driving the prompter software. Which is ok if your on a medium size stage and the prompter op is within BlueTooth range... I repeat, within BT range which is usually less than 30 feet. I was also told that the iPad LCD is not bright enough for daytime viewing (have not tried, but just in general, I've heard numerous people complain about trying to view iPads in mid-day outside)

 

 

[Joseph Stunzi]

I managed to find the literature from NAB with a photo in it. Nothing from the NAB floor, but it was updated 04-2011 so fairly recent. The original PDF can be downloaded from my dropbox.

 

Hope this helps,

Joseph Stunzi