I have a terrible memory! Though it's also kind of weird.
I can remember the most random facts about many things but can't remember what my wife said about what's in the dairy for the next day, 2 minutes after she told me. Okay, that might be slightly exaggerated, but it feels this way. I hope my wife leaves a note in the comments for you to get her perspective.
My forgetfulness problem becomes apparent when I need to learn something by heart, like lines on a script or want to give a speech or teach something and desperately don't want to forget the significant bits.
This was, and continues to be, a problem for the following reasons:
Acting Dilemma
In my days as an aspiring actor, the challenge of memorising lines was my nemesis. Unfortunately, unless you're performing a one-person show and the whole thing is a monologue, it's also a problem for my fellow actors. I recall many an ill-tempered conversation after a performance because, quite often, the other person on stage (who was always better at learning lines than me) was waiting to take their cue from my final line, but their cue had never arrived as I'd had to improvise.
However, the plus side is that I became pretty good at improvisation. It allowed me a creative outlet and honed my skills in spontaneous performance, even if the dream of effortlessly recalling lines and delivering performances with the finesse of seasoned actors seemed unattainable.
The Preacher's Quest for Eloquence
The acting didn't work out.
Not because of my lousy memory, I still dabble when given the opportunity. I didn't make it as an actor because I couldn't give the industry the time to forge a breakthrough.
I did, however, become a pastor of a church.
I didn't see that coming!
Leading a church means you must deliver sermons and talk ... a lot. I found myself with the same issue of needing to not forget the significant bits or not wanting to say something that might be seen as heretical - I wouldn't have kept my job for long.
So, I developed a dependency on meticulously prepared scripts rather than simply trying to preach and make meaningful eye contact by trying to remember my notes.
I admire orators who captivate their audience with seemingly minimal preparation, weaving stories and messages eloquently and easily. This level of communication excellence is something I aspire to achieve. Yet, it remains beyond my reach, hampered by my unreliable memory.
Digital Content Creation
The foray into digital content creation has brought challenges in recent years (starting during the pandemic and the Zoom call era). The sometimes unforgiving nature of video content creation and the expectation for polished and concise delivery amplified my need for a reliable solution. In this context, I discovered the Teleprompter for Video app by Norton Five - a tool that bridges the gap between my aspirations and bad memory!
My improv and acting skills, together with my nearly 20 years of public speaking, have enabled me to use the teleprompter app in a way that means you would never know I was using one. Even if I didn't have the confidence to speak to the camera in a relaxed manner, I think that apps like the Teleprompter for Video app are a real boon for anyone who needs to present something but may not have the initial confidence to do so. A teleprompter gives you a safety net while you practice your communication skills.
A Hypothetical Scenario
In my regular routine of creating and delivering content across various platforms, the Teleprompter for Video app has become an indispensable tool. Here’s how I hypothetically integrate this versatile app into my workflow:
Script Writing and Importing
Initially, my content creation process begins with drafting scripts. These scripts are tailored to ensure a concise delivery while keeping the audience engaged. The convenience of accessing scripts from various cloud services directly within the app means that your digital script will always be available at your fingertips and ready for recording. My personal process is to either create a script in the app or copy and paste a script into the iPad version of the app, which then appears automatically in the iPhone version. But I can see how downloading from the cloud is incredibly helpful with services such as Dropbox and iCloud supported.
Filming with Precision
The app's user-friendly interface shines as I step into the filming phase. Opting for the front-facing camera of my device, I position the text from the script next to the camera I want to be 'looking into'. I can make the text box as tight as one word next to the camera or spread it across my phone's screen. Take note here that the further away from the camera the text goes, the more the watching audience may notice that you're reading as your eyes move back and forth.
The app's capability to record in high definition (even 4K, depending on the device you're using) ensures that the video quality matches the professionalism of the delivery. With the script scrolling smoothly next to the camera lens, I confidently deliver my message, knowing that every word has been carefully crafted and displayed for optimal delivery timing. Sometimes, I even switch on the 'word detection' mode and let the app follow my words rather than scrolling at a desired pace. This works best for shorter scripts. I've found that the longer the scripts are, the more confused this feature can get.
During recording, I more often than not use external microphone support to enhance audio quality, ensuring my message is heard clearly without background noise distractions. (The app has recently introduced a simple background sound removal feature.) The ability to adjust the scrolling speed in real time allows me to pace my delivery according to the natural ebbs and flows of the script, making the presentation appear more natural and less rehearsed. The only downside is a lack of Bluetooth external support for a device such as a foot pedal or small hand-held device to control the flow of the words you're reading. If you need to do this, you will have to edit out your arm reaching out to move the words forward or backward in post-production.
Editing for Perfection
For videos that require a touch of branding, the app’s functionality to add a logo ensures my content is consistently recognised, fostering brand continuity across all platforms. You can crop your video between 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1 or add a replacement background if you've used a green screen. The best feature has to be the ability to add subtitles automatically with different styles of captions available, change the size of the captions, and highlight the word being spoken. All in all, the subtitles feature is very customisable.
This feature, combined with the app’s high-quality video output, makes the final product something I'm proud to share.
Sharing Made Easy
Finally, the ease of sharing videos directly from the app to various social media platforms ensures that my content reaches my audience without delay if I choose to do so. I either transfer the video file to my iPad via Airplay for further editing or, more recently, I save the file from my iPhone 15 Pro Max to an external USB-C drive, which I then edit directly off using the best video editing app for the iPad: LumaFusion. Thanks, Apple, for bringing the USB-C port to the iPhone!
Beyond Technical Features
While the technical aspects of the Teleprompter for Video app are obviously noteworthy, its impact on my professional and personal development has been profound. The app has equipped me to deliver content with assurance and professionalism, mitigating the challenges posed by my memory problems. It has empowered me to explore creative avenues with newfound confidence, ensuring my focus remains on the message rather than the fear of forgetting.
The Teleprompter for Video app by Norton Five has been pivotal in my journey across various professional landscapes. From struggling with script memorisation as an actor to seeking eloquence as a preacher and finally embracing the challenges of digital content creation, the app now provides a stable foundation upon which I try to level up my skills and confidence. It has transformed the daunting task of content delivery into a more manageable and effective process, allowing me to focus on the quality and substance of the message.
Do you use a teleprompter? Either an app or even an actual teleprompter gadget? What's been your experience? The Teleprompter for Video app can even be used on a video call. So if you're presenting this, it might also help in this department. Give it a go, and let me know what you think.
The Teleprompter for Video app is free to try. If you want to unlock all the features (of which there are many I didn't cover here), there is an annual subscription of £19.99, which I think is an absolute bargain!
I have received no payment of any kind for this review.
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