CueTwin team
In short
- Put the text as close to the lens as you can: every centimetre counts.
- Large type and narrow columns mean your eyes move less.
- Write the way you talk, in short sentences, and read a little slower than you speak.
- One rehearsal out loud before recording catches the lines that are hard to say.
Put the text as close to the lens as you can, in large type with few words per line, and read a little slower than you speak. Write the script the way you talk, in short sentences, and rehearse once out loud before recording.
Where to put the text
What gives reading away is your eyes moving. The further the text is from the lens, the more it shows. From best to worst:
- A glass teleprompter in front of the lensThe text is reflected right in front of the camera. It needs mirror mode.
- A phone or tablet right below the lensThe simplest option. The difference in your gaze is small if the camera is 1 metre away or more.
- A narrow window at the top of your computer screenFor video calls. Put the text window just below the webcam.
Text size and width
- Large type: if you have to squint, it shows. Go bigger until you read without effort.
- Narrow column: 4 to 6 words per line. Your eyes move down instead of side to side.
- Reading line level with the lens: you always read in the same spot and your gaze stays still.
Write for the voice
Text written to be read silently sounds like reading. Write the way you talk:
- Short sentences, one idea each.
- Everyday words, no jargon.
- Talk to one person: “you”, never “viewers”.
- Mark pauses with a blank line between paragraphs.
To get started, there’s a template in how to write a video script.
The right pace
When reading, we tend to speed up. Read a little slower than feels natural, and pause briefly at the end of each sentence. With a teleprompter that follows your voice, like CueTwin, the text waits for you in the pauses, so you never chase it.
Rehearse once
One read-through out loud before recording shows you the sentences that trip you up. Fix them in the script right away. In CueTwin, changes show up on the phone at once, even mid-recording.
FAQ
How far should the camera be?
From 1 metre away, eye movement is barely visible with the text next to the lens. Closer than that, use larger type and a narrower column.
Can I wear glasses?
Yes. Tilt them slightly down or adjust the light to avoid the screen reflecting in the lenses.
What if I make a mistake?
Keep talking. A teleprompter that follows your voice finds where you are. Cut the mistake when editing.
