Barack Obama is known as a gifted speaker. After his unexpected victory in Iowa, when he delivered a phenomenal victory speech (see below), he was even compared to Martin Luther King. Few realized that the Democratic presidential candidate used a tried-and-true Hollywood tool during his speech: the autocue. Out of view of the camera, transparent displays were positioned to Obama’s left and right, projecting the text of his speech. As he read the text, he gave the illusion of maintaining constant eye contact with his audience.
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tCWT4LQTeE[/tube]
Many American speakers use the so-called teleprompter during public appearances. The technology has been used in Hollywood since the 1950s. It was former actor Ronald Reagan who brought it to Washington when he was elected president in 1980. It became known as his “sincerity machine.” He never gave a speech without it!
Thanks to the autocue, Obama’s speech had an unmistakably presidential tone. His choice of words and structure sounded more refined than the improvised remarks of his opponents.
Barack Obama: I have a….. Autocue!
