Written by 
Interrotron What is it ?
just “what is a damn Interritron and why would I want one?”
The “Interrotron System”, (aka Interritron) invented by famed documentarian, Errol
Morris, is fast becoming the standard way to shoot interviews. The system uses two
special teleprompters, each equipped to accept a video image. The talent sees just the
face of the director and the director sees just the face of the talent. Often the room is
darkened and the two units are separated by a curtain.
So, instead of looking into a cold and often intimidating camera lens the interviewee
sees the human face of the person talking to him or her. This solves several problems
at once:
First it gives the interviewee a more natural environment. They see a human
face, not an intimidating film crew.
Secondly, this approach relaxes the talent, especially if they are not professional
actors.
Thirdly, it helps maintain the proper eyeline during the shoot and helps prevent
that natural tendency for talent to look off camera the second they finish
speaking.
And lastly, by looking at an animated face, the talent can better assess the real
intent of the question and the mood of the questioner. So answers are often
more useful and to the point.
The director is helped as well. He sees exactly what the camera sees. He’s literally
looking through the lens of the main camera and can assess both the camera
framing and the body language of the talent at the same time. No longer is he/she
a disembodied voice in the darkness or a visual distraction destroying eyelines. The
director now is in the position to have an intimate conversation with his/her talent.
So, Interrotron rentals are rising rapidly simply because these oddly named units are so
dammed useful.
The systems are credited with not only saving time getting useful footage but
substantially improving the quality of that footage as well.
While, the Interrotron System is increasingly used by top directors, the availability of
professional units set up by skilled operators has lagged. It’s not just a question of
renting two prompters. The Interritron monitors need to be professional, have the
proper video inputs and be configured and set up properly. So, some research should
be done before to insure a successful Interritron Rental.
The good news is that more and more of the Interritron Rental units should soon be
available, at least in the major film and TV centers such as New York and LA.
A professional Interrotron System contains two teleprompters, each with high quality
video monitors, an additional video camera and tripod along with all necessary cables
and accessories.
Facilities that offer Interritron Rentals usually can also supply standard teleprompters,
Presidential Prompters, battery Powered Prompters and Stedicam Prompters. Some,
like those below, can supply Tricasters as well.
For Interritron Rentals on the East Coast check out www.AmericanMovieCo.com and
www.Teleprompter-NewYork.com
On the West Coast www.TeleprompterLA.com
And www.TeleprompterRental.com everywhere.
So… why the hell would I do an interview without an Interrotron?
