Updated Teleprompter Script

Updated Teleprompter Script for Word 2007

Here is an updated macro script for Microsoft Word 2007. This turns your script into a WHITE text on black background, auto-scrolled text.

Remember that you can continue to use your MOUSE's SCROLL WHEEL while this macro is running - in case the script gets ahead of your (or behind you).

Sub VideoPrompter()
'
' VideoPrompter Macro
' Macro created 8/13/2007 by James Falkofske
'
' Autoscroll Window
Dim PauseTime, Start, Finish, TotalTime
Dim i, iMax As Integer
Dim i1, i2, i3, i4 As String
Dim fTiming, fFontSize As Double

'How big should the text be?
i3 = InputBox("Enter the Font size in points", _
  "Font Size", 32)
fFontSize = CDbl(i3)

'How many lines of movement are needed?
i1 = InputBox("Enter scroll-down-clicks for script", _
"Teleprompter Motion", 1000)
iMax = CInt(i1)

'How much of a pause between each movement of script
i2 = InputBox("Enter the delay moves (decimal seconds)", _
"Movement Timing", 0.35)
fTiming = CDbl(i2)



 With Selection.PageSetup
     .LineNumbering.Active = False
     .Orientation = wdOrientPortrait
     .TopMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .BottomMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .LeftMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .RightMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .Gutter = InchesToPoints(0)
     .HeaderDistance = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .FooterDistance = InchesToPoints(0.5)
     .PageWidth = InchesToPoints(8.5)
     .PageHeight = InchesToPoints(11)
     .VerticalAlignment = wdAlignVerticalTop
     .TwoPagesOnOne = False
 End With

 ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.ForeColor.ObjectThemeColor = _
     wdThemeColorText1
 ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.ForeColor.TintAndShade = 0#
 ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Visible = msoTrue
 ActiveDocument.Background.Fill.Solid

 Selection.WholeStory
 Selection.Font.Size = fFontSize
 Selection.HomeKey Unit:=wdStory
 ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Zoom.PageFit = wdPageFitBestFit

For i = 1 To iMax
    PauseTime = fTiming        ' Set duration.
    Start = Timer    ' Set start time.
    Do While Timer < Start + PauseTime
        DoEvents    ' Yield to other processes.
        
    Loop
   'Move down a small scroll increment
   ActiveWindow.ActivePane.SmallScroll Down:=1
Next i

End Sub

Video Prompter Design

I am working on the design of a video-prompter that can be used to help faculty record videos.

The problem with most designs for video-prompters is that the one-way mirror used "reverses/flips" the text (it gives a "mirror image"). This creates a great deal of difficulty because special "teleprompter" software must be used to reverse the image so that it appears correctly to the narrator/subject.

In this design, I am creating a "periscope" which uses a mirror to flip the image once (upward) and then a piece of regular glass to again flip the image (outwards). When the interior of the box is painted black, the plain glass acts as a false-mirror -- giving back a reflection from the surface.
At the same time, the video camera shoots through the plain glass toward the subject.
Because the image the subject sees is the same that is coming from the monitor, ANY content can be used on the teleprompter window.
This means that faculty can use PowerPoint slides, scripts, websites, or news articles as their "source materials." In addition, the script window can be resized to a portion of the screen and a "video monitor" window of the recording can be shown (so the instructor can see themselves while recording in a "picture-in-picture" type of setup).

If and when I build this, I will take some photographs and post a sample video of the unit in action.