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By Patty Mooney
Lights, camera… cue the prompter!
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a first-time on-camera talent, stepping in front of a teleprompter can be intimidating. But with the right mindset and preparation, it can become your best friend. As a professional teleprompter operator for the past decade, I’ve worked with everyone from first-time CEOs to high-profile figures like Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Tom Hiddleston. I’ve witnessed nervous energy transform into confident delivery once the talent understands a few essential secrets.
Here’s what I wish every on-camera talent knew before the red light goes on.
1. The Teleprompter is Your Ally, Not a Crutch
A common misconception is that reading from a prompter will make you sound robotic. This only happens if you treat it like a lifeless script and forget to bring your personality into the performance. Think of the prompter as your safety net. It allows you to focus on how you deliver your message, not just what you say.
Tip: Read aloud with feeling, as if you’re speaking to one person you genuinely want to reach.
2. You’re the Voice, Not the Words
Even if you didn’t write the script, it becomes yours the moment you step in front of the camera. If you don’t believe what you’re saying, your audience won’t either. Before the shoot, read the copy several times and ask questions. If a phrase doesn’t feel right to you, ask the director if you can change it.
During a studio shoot, Laurie Greiner of Shark Tank demonstrated how effective this approach can be. She was deeply involved in refining her script, carefully shaping the language to reflect her voice and tone. She asked smart questions, made thoughtful adjustments, and took ownership of the material. By the time the cameras rolled, her delivery was polished yet authentic. She wasn’t just reading a script—she was communicating with conviction.
Tip: Replace any words that don’t feel natural to your voice. Authenticity is more important than sticking rigidly to every word.
3. Practice… But Don’t Memorize
Rehearsing is helpful, but memorizing the script can work against you. When talent tries to recite a script word for word, they often start looking ahead for the next line instead of focusing on the current one. The prompter provides the text, and your job is to make it come alive.
A few weeks after the infamous slap from Will Smith that could be heard around the world, I had the opportunity to teleprompt for Chris Rock. He didn’t use a traditional script. Instead, he had a list of bullet-point topics and treated the prompter more like a cue card system. It suited his style perfectly—spontaneous, fast-paced, and conversational. His delivery worked because he knew his material and trusted his instincts.
Tip: Practice with the rhythm and tone you’d use in a real conversation. Pay attention to phrasing and when to breathe.
4. Keep Your Eyes Steady
A telltale sign of inexperience is “teleprompter eye,” when your gaze shifts or scans because you’re reading too fast or disconnecting from the content. With a properly tuned setup and pace, your eye movement should appear smooth and unnoticeable on camera. Remember, the teleprompter operator is following your pace, not the other way around.
Tip: Let the words come to you. Trust your prompter operator to follow your rhythm. There is no need to rush.
5. Breathe
It’s a simple but essential reminder. Many people forget to breathe naturally when reading from a prompter, which leads to a tense and strained delivery. If you don’t breathe, you won’t connect with your audience.
Tip: Add spaces in your script where you plan to pause or inhale. Taking your time helps your audience absorb your message.
6. Clothing, Glasses, and Makeup Matter
Avoid wearing clothes with tight patterns, which can cause distracting visual effects on camera. If you wear glasses, be aware that the prompter’s reflective glass might cause glare. A skilled operator can often minimize this, but it’s best to alert the crew in advance.
Tip: Choose anti-glare lenses when possible. Also, use a bit of powder if you’re prone to shine under bright studio lights.
7. We’re a Team
Always remember that your teleprompter operator is there to support you. We want you to succeed and look your best. If something doesn’t feel right—like the speed of the scroll or the spacing between lines—let us know. You are not in this alone.
There was a time I was hired to run prompter for a high-ranking government official, a former administrator of the Medicare and Medicaid Services. I was told she wanted to rehearse at 8 AM, so I arrived early and had everything set up and ready to go. The entire day passed and she never set foot in the conference room for a rehearsal. When it was time for her to deliver the speech, she stumbled, hesitated, and lost her place several times. Unfortunately, she blamed the teleprompter rather than acknowledging the missed opportunity to rehearse. As the saying goes, I was thrown under the bus.
Preparation is a two-way street. When talent and crew work together with mutual respect and clear communication, it elevates the entire production.
Tip: Connect with your prompter operator before the shoot. A brief read-through together can help identify and smooth out any trouble spots.
In Conclusion
The teleprompter is a tool, not a trap. When used well, it can help you deliver your message with clarity and confidence. But it only works when both talent and crew treat the process as a collaboration. Whether you’re Chris Rock riffing on hot topics, Laurie Greiner refining every word, or someone facing a podium with high stakes, the key is preparation and partnership. Respect the process, respect your crew, and you will shine.
Patty Mooney is a professional teleprompter operator, mountain biker, video editor, and VP of Crystal Pyramid Productions in San Diego. She has supported executives, public figures, and artists on shoots across the globe. When she’s not rolling prompter, she’s exploring the wilderness on her e-assist mountain bike.
Contact her at Crystal Pyramid Productions – San Diego Video Company – info@crystalpyramid.com