Advanced Prompting Systems provides prompting services to Networks, Production Companies, Audio Visual Companies, Meeting Planners, Concert Promoters, Party Planners, and Corporations.
Originally Robert D. Pinson founded Advanced Prompting Systems with Jose Sainz in 1988. The main purpose of the company was to supply the finest prompting services to the film, television and audiovisual industries.
Bob’s then 30 years in television, and Jose’s new eyes had shown them both the advantages prompting could bring to a production and the disadvantages of dealing with existing prompting systems, especially when working on remote locations.
The advantages were obvious: Prompting saved time, increased productivity, and saved money.
The disadvantages were that the systems then were large, heavy, and unwieldy, requiring heavy-duty tripods. And the PCs that ran the systems were big and needed large monitors and keyboards. Plus all of it required AC power.
But changes in technology were coming.
QTV and other suppliers began to develop smaller, lightweight prompting heads. Laptop computers were then coming on the market and we saw other components that complemented these key pieces.
One of the first lightweight APS systems was built around QTV’s Flat Display Panel or FDP-9 prompter head that was 9 inches and weighed 9 pounds and was ideal for ENG/EFP productions. The early Windows® operating system was crash prone so Bob decided at the time on a reliable DOS-based laptop system. He used a small Sony Watchman® TV as the operator’s confidence monitor. The QTV software supported a scroll control incorporating a potentiometer that ensured precise scrolling to match the precise pace of the speaker.
The FDP-9, at the time, did not produce an image bright enough to be seen in daylight or exterior conditions. But Blue Feather made a slightly larger and considerably brighter prompter head, which APS utilized then for daytime exteriors.
For 35mm film setups or TV studio cameras, APS furnished the QTV 15-inch CRT on a sturdy mounting plate.
Bob also devised batteries to power every component of the prompting system in the absence of AC power.
APS then acquired sufficient equipment to service multiple clients at a time and found a group of people with a wide variety of professional experience to serve as operators.
Then, co founder Jose Sainz, left APS to pursue career opportunities, serving as producer for a Network show. He always remained as a backdrop of inspiration for APS and remained available for APS productions on his off time.
As time passed, the FDP-9 and Blue Feather prompters have given way to newer QTV FDP-11, -12, and -15 high-bright through-the-lens prompters as well as smaller above-the-lens monitors for use on camera stabilization systems, jibs, and hand-held situations.
Lisa Delmonico joined the team in 1996 managing APS and serving as a prompter operator.
The need to run separate video and AC cables from the control area to the camera or podium was eliminated by custom-made snakes devised that carry video and AC in a single strand with no interference between AC and video.
Bob and the APS team also developed a custom support plate that allows the use of the FDP-11 (our smaller unit) with 35mm cameras.
On the audiovisual, public speaking, award show side of the business, APS has provided “Presidential” (podium) teleprompting setups to countless businesses, governments, and political speakers. In many audiovisual or awards show situations, we have used downstage monitors or large in-audience monitors to serve as the prompters, thereby freeing the talent or speaker from the podium.
Responding to the needs of a multilingual market, APS offers prompting services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages.
Advanced Prompting Systems has come a quite a way since 1988 and will continue to keep adapting and innovating as technology and the marketplace change.
Sadly, on June 30th, 2006, Robert D. Pinson passed away from a chronic illness. He entrusted the future of Advanced Prompting Systems to Lisa Delmonico, his longtime colleague and friend ensuring that his spirit in doing business and innovating will carry on.
