Autocue
Encyclopedia
Autocue is a UK
based manufacturer of teleprompter
systems, owned by QTV
. The company was founded in 1955 and licensed its first teleprompter, based on a patent by Jess Oppenheimer
, in 1962. The company began by producing teleprompting equipment, and now provides prompting, scripting, production and newsroom
software applications and hardware
.
Autocue provides international prompter sales and rentals to countries outside of the Americas
, while QTV handles prompter sales and rentals in North
and South America
.
, a writer, producer and director on the TV show "I Love Lucy
" in the early 1950s. To solve the problem of the actors forgetting their lines, he developed a rudimentary prompting system. Oppenheimer took out a patent
on the system. He licensed the patent to the teleprompting company Autocue in 1955. Meanwhile, a separate entity, QTV
, was established in the US. Both companies started by renting teleprompting equipment to studios.
Oppenheimer's paper roll system survived until 1969 when Autocue introduced the first closed-circuit prompter. This used a closed-circuit camera system to film a scrolling paper script and display the image on a monitor attached to the front of the camera that was shooting the presenter. Use of a two-way mirror system allowed the script image to be reflected onto a sheet of glass in front of the camera lens, meaning that the presenters were able to read their lines straight from the script while looking directly into the camera. The mirror system meant that the image of the script was not visible to the main camera lens, and indeed this is still the way that most teleprompting systems operate. QTV followed shortly afterwards with similar technology. In the 1970s both companies started selling hardware in addition to maintaining their rental operations.
In 1984, QTV acquired Autocue and retained the two brands in their respective regions. The following year, the newly formed Autocue Group released a computer-driven prompting system, ScriptNet. At the same time the first newsroom computer systems were beginning to appear in television stations.
, and was named WinCue.
In 1994, the Autocue Group created the first flat screen prompters.
Meanwhile, WinCue continued to accrue functions and features as customers (particularly TV newsrooms) demanded ever greater integration between the different elements of their workflow. Journalists need sources, and the ability to ingest, index and process stories from news agency wires was an early addition. Another requirement was the ability to control multiple playout devices, such as videotape machines and character generators, from a central running order. The Autocue Group accordingly developed its own automation system, as applicable to general programme playout as to news. This was followed by the ability to handle media as well as words within the production environment. Following a project with CNN
, a wireless tablet-PC based system to effect and share script changes using ‘digital ink’ was added.
These developments were not completely organic in origin. In 1998, a newsroom application company, DCM, based in Charlotte, North Carolina
, was acquired to complement the existing newsroom product range. The Group retains an office in Charlotte to this day.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
based manufacturer of teleprompter
Teleprompter
An autocue is a display device that prompts the person speaking with an electronic visual text of a speech or script. Using a teleprompter is similar to the practice of using cue cards...
systems, owned by QTV
QTV
QTV of the Apollo Little Joe II rocket was the first test flight in 1963.-Objectives:The Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle was launched on its first flight from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Area # 3...
. The company was founded in 1955 and licensed its first teleprompter, based on a patent by Jess Oppenheimer
Jess Oppenheimer
Jess Oppenheimer a radio and television writer, producer, and director, was producer and head writer of the CBS sitcom I Love Lucy.Lucille Ball called Oppenheimer "the brains" behind I Love Lucy...
, in 1962. The company began by producing teleprompting equipment, and now provides prompting, scripting, production and newsroom
Newsroom
A newsroom is the place where journalists—reporters, editors, and producers, along with other staffers—work to gather news to be published in a newspaper or magazine or broadcast on television, cable or radio...
software applications and hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
.
Autocue provides international prompter sales and rentals to countries outside of the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, while QTV handles prompter sales and rentals in North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
Prompting begins on paper
Prompting began with Jess OppenheimerJess Oppenheimer
Jess Oppenheimer a radio and television writer, producer, and director, was producer and head writer of the CBS sitcom I Love Lucy.Lucille Ball called Oppenheimer "the brains" behind I Love Lucy...
, a writer, producer and director on the TV show "I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
" in the early 1950s. To solve the problem of the actors forgetting their lines, he developed a rudimentary prompting system. Oppenheimer took out a patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
on the system. He licensed the patent to the teleprompting company Autocue in 1955. Meanwhile, a separate entity, QTV
QTV
QTV of the Apollo Little Joe II rocket was the first test flight in 1963.-Objectives:The Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle was launched on its first flight from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Area # 3...
, was established in the US. Both companies started by renting teleprompting equipment to studios.
Oppenheimer's paper roll system survived until 1969 when Autocue introduced the first closed-circuit prompter. This used a closed-circuit camera system to film a scrolling paper script and display the image on a monitor attached to the front of the camera that was shooting the presenter. Use of a two-way mirror system allowed the script image to be reflected onto a sheet of glass in front of the camera lens, meaning that the presenters were able to read their lines straight from the script while looking directly into the camera. The mirror system meant that the image of the script was not visible to the main camera lens, and indeed this is still the way that most teleprompting systems operate. QTV followed shortly afterwards with similar technology. In the 1970s both companies started selling hardware in addition to maintaining their rental operations.
In 1984, QTV acquired Autocue and retained the two brands in their respective regions. The following year, the newly formed Autocue Group released a computer-driven prompting system, ScriptNet. At the same time the first newsroom computer systems were beginning to appear in television stations.
Prompting enters the digital era
Autocue and QTV were also interested in digital prompting in more areas along with television news, leading to the development of its own scriptwriting and running order package. This package used by many newsrooms, conferences, sitcoms, major drama productions, and more. This system worked on an early version of Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, and was named WinCue.
Meanwhile, WinCue continued to accrue functions and features as customers (particularly TV newsrooms) demanded ever greater integration between the different elements of their workflow. Journalists need sources, and the ability to ingest, index and process stories from news agency wires was an early addition. Another requirement was the ability to control multiple playout devices, such as videotape machines and character generators, from a central running order. The Autocue Group accordingly developed its own automation system, as applicable to general programme playout as to news. This was followed by the ability to handle media as well as words within the production environment. Following a project with CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, a wireless tablet-PC based system to effect and share script changes using ‘digital ink’ was added.
These developments were not completely organic in origin. In 1998, a newsroom application company, DCM, based in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, was acquired to complement the existing newsroom product range. The Group retains an office in Charlotte to this day.