The teleprompter is kind of an electronic version of cue cards. Users of a teleprompter can be an actor in soap opera, a president giving speech, newscaster, etc. The text is controlled by a teleprompter operator who controls how fast or slow the text is displayed, keeping pace with the talent, as well as makes the changes to the copy.

The teleprompoter typically consists of semi-transparent glass mounted on an angle between the camera lens and the talent allows a computer screen to display text to the talent without the camera seeing it. Teleprompters can also be placed just off camera over the shoulder of on-camera talent, allowing it to appear that two people are speaking to one another.

The teleprompter is key when it comes to allowing your talent, professional actor or not, to be able to read great amounts of text without having to memorize it. This also is a huge help when it comes to making changes on the fly or giving cues to talent while on camera. The talent doesn't need to memorize changes or key points because they are displayed right in front of them. This translates to saving time and money.