How videographers use autocue

Videographers live in an incredible technological time and have access to some amazing camera kit.  When you're working on such a range of diverse projects that a city like London offers videographers, kit is essential.  With that in mind, one piece of kit I use most weeks is an autocue.

What is an autocue

So what is an autocue? Well an autocue enables you to run scripted text in front of your lens.  The way it works is that a piece of glass is positioned in front of the camera lens.  This glass is transparent from the side of the camera lens.  However on the other side, it is reflective.  The glass sits at an angle and allows you to position an iPad below it which reflects on the screen.  The iPad can be loaded with autocue software which mirrors the text so it displays correctly when reflected in the mirror.  You can also control speed, size, colour and brightness of text to be comfortable for the person reading it.

How videographers use autocue

Understanding what an autocue can do clearly showcases why it's such a useful piece of kit.  Videographers find this incredibly useful, as in so many videos, we talk to the audience directly.  Having the ability to look directly down the lens and speak to the audience is priceless.  It's that direct eye contact with your audience that enables a real connection and an autocue helps you achieve that.It couldn't be simpler than to load up your script, get the correct speed and read!  That being said, there is an art to reading a script but making it look like it's being said naturally.  As a videographer, having handy tips to help the person reading is always useful.  For a piece of kit the only costs around £400, it's been one of our top videography and filmmaking tools.