Teleprompter for video recording with a separate camera

By Echolab · Updated 22 October 2026

For an interview, an explainer or a short introduction, a prompter can keep the next phrase close to your eyeline. The placement matters as much as the scrolling speed.

Start with a simple camera-and-screen setup

Place your Cue screen as close to the camera lens as practical. A screen far to the side makes your eyes move away from the viewer. Read a short sample aloud, record it with your camera, and watch the result before committing to a longer take.

Use your recording distance to choose text size. If the text is too small, you may squint or lean toward the screen. If every line spans the whole screen, your eyes may travel noticeably from side to side. Find a comfortable combination of size, distance and line length for your setup.

Make the script sound like you

Read your first draft out loud before opening the camera. Replace phrases you would never say in conversation. Split long paragraphs, give each new idea some space and add breathing room around important words. Write numbers as you intend to speak them.

For an interview, it may be better to prompt the opening and closing exactly, then use short reminders for the answers. A full script is useful when wording matters; a few clear cues can feel more natural when you want room to improvise.

Follow the speaker’s pace

Start slower than your first estimate. In Cue, adjust scrolling speed and text size, then run a paragraph at your real speaking pace. On Mac, use the trackpad to position the text and Space to play or pause. With a second Cue device, a Nearby remote lets an operator adjust playback while you focus on delivery.

For reflective prompter hardware, try horizontal or vertical mirroring and check the result through the actual glass. The right setting depends on how your screen and mirror are mounted, so test it rather than assuming one orientation.

Keep recording and prompting separate

The current published Cue Mac app displays and controls text. Record your picture and sound using your separate camera or recording software. Start that recording first, settle into position and then begin the prompter. For a second take, return the text to the starting point before recording again.

In-app Camera prompter is a development feature, not part of Cue 1.0 on the App Store. This guide describes using a prompter beside a separate camera.

Prepare your scripts in Studio, or import a TXT file in Cue. Before a shoot, make sure the chosen script is available on the device that will display it, rather than relying on last-minute downloads.