During the production where we were going to perform in front of an audience, I had been given the task of running the Autocue. Autocue originated from America called a Teleprompter.
Teleprompters, originally founded in the states by Irving B. Khan, Fred Barton Jr and Schlafly in 1950’s, it was a way of reminding the talent what to talk about. The original system consisted of magnifying long rolls of paper and rolling the paper at the same speed as the reader. Jess Oppenheimer developed the first 'in lens' prompter which consisted of reflecting the script into a mirror. As technology progressed there were upgraded and improved versions. The same method applies such as the one we used in our production where I was in control of the autocue, but without paper.
A teleprompter in the Early 1950's - Jess Oppenheimers paper roll system.
Teleprompter/Autocue - 'In lens prompter' mirroring the script.
The one I used was on a laptop which was connected to the TV. The TV mirrored everything on the laptop screen. The TV was placed to the side of the set behind the cameras but not too far from the set so the presenter could read.
The auto cue was easy to use. I had to use my fingers to scroll up and down on the pad. The quicker I scrolled, the quicker the autocue scrolled. At times it was difficult to scroll as the pad didn't sense my touch. The director, presenter and I went through a few practise rehearsals before the show started so I could get used to it.
To use the autocue, I needed a copy of the script to follow, some speakers to listen to the presenter and a headset so I can hear the P.A count in the times before moving on. I really had to concentrate with little practise but it worked well. I made a little office behind the TV and managed to find a table and chair to put my script on, and the laptop down so I could follow them easily without distractions.
Problems
There was a point of time where my finger slipped and the autocue jumped back to the beginning during the show, luckily the presenter learnt an remembered his lines and kept going whilst I scrolled back to the point we were at on the script.
Audience control
As we were seating the audience down, the Director told us on our headsets that there were some empty seats in the middle of the rows. As the floor manager was controlling the audience from the other side, I assisted the floor manager and kindly asked the people on the end to move up to fill the seats. I spoke to them in a kind and friendly tone so I was not being rude to them. I then removed the empty chairs on the ends where the seating area looks fuller.
Reflection
Although I would have liked to have had the opportunity to be a Floor Manager, I still played part of the Floor Manager role which was to make sure the talent gets his cues and knows what he needs to say. I helped remind him by controlling the autocue during the production.
I was also proud to have been able to control the audience without them being offended, which shows I can communicate with the correct manner.
I had also helped with rehearsals and setting up, marking out the floor for the set for the show. These are all parts towards being a Floor Manager which were also roles of an Assistant floor Manager.
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