31/03/2022
I get A LOT of weird requests. Some so weird they're borderline nonsensical.
Last week someone told my operator they need a "vertically mounted prompter". After explaining that they're all vertically mounted already, they said "no we want it mounted sideways!" 🤦🏻♀️
Okay then!! Moving on... some of the challenges associated with shooting 9x16 may lead the client to think a free standing prompter in front of the lens, on it's own stand is ideal... that is... UNTIL they start messing around with the framing of the shot, and the camera operator keeps moving the camera... then in comes the prompter... and trying to match the angle so there's no glare or reflection... then the VIGNETTING starts... because they're using wide angle lenses... and then you start playing footsie with the legs trying to get the lens as close to the glass as possible at just the correct angle.... finally you get it right, and they change the angle of the shot again 😆 rinse and repeat.
Enough is enough! The second time I got that request, I cut straight to the chase and said "that's not what you need... I will bring both!" Needless to say, we made the right call this time.
I did have to offset the prompter to the left (picture-left) because once side-mounted the camera wasn't centered on sticks. Apart from that, having an adjustable glass is helpful. Especially one that has vertical space.