A Legal videographer primarily videos court depositions, but might also film exhibits, or evidence, such as damaged vehicles, to be shown in court proceedings.
Attorneys frequently make use of a legal videographer, particularly for civil litigation cases that involve significant sums because a video record of a deposition is far more useful than just a written transcription of what was said.
Advancements in courtroom technology are not only making civil litigation more efficient, but are also giving attorneys who make use of it more effective, bringing about greater success in court. There are a number of legal support technicians who provide these services, and one of those team members is the legal videographer, also known as a forensic videographer or court videographer. This person has the responsibility for using video and audio equipment to record civil court related proceedings, and they occasionally combine the legal video with legal support software for a court presentation. A high quality legal video can have a significant role in the success of a court case.
Trained Legal Videographer
There is a difference in using an experienced, trained legal videographer rather than just getting a freelance photographer who does not know and understand the uniqueness of a legal video. A quality legal videographer knows how important it is to clearly show facial expressions and emotions as a deposition is given. A clear view of any evidence, documents, and any item that is discussed in the deposition must be of the highest possible visual quality.
A legal videographer must also be highly skilled in obtaining clear, audible sound so that every word spoken by a deposer is clearly heard and understood. If there is sound associated with any evidence, it too must be perfectly recorded within the legal video.
Related Topics
Videographers typically use a varied amount of Courtroom Equipment when documenting cases.
Courtroom Technology has advanced significantly in the last 20 years with computers, high definition CCD chips and other silicon-responsible hardware.
Videography in the legal terms is considered Legal Video in documentation and is submitted as a viable exhibit for the court.
Just because a freelance videographer made a great wedding video, they don’t have the skills to a legal videographer. Finding and using a legal videographer with the training, experience and quality video, sound, and light equipment is key. If you capture close-ups of the deposer in high definition is essential to success in the case. A general videographer normally captures video that is designed to entertain. Legal video is capturing audio and video information about the legal aspects of a court case.
Just like a court reporter must record in writing the factual information about what is said. The legal videographer is capturing the visual and audio information necessary for legal decisions to be made. Taking close-ups of a nervous deposer is a challenge, and means the legal videographer must make shots from a distance and have the right lenses to get the close-up and maintain video sharpness and quality. This is a different technique than what general photographers use.
Valuable Resource
A trained, experienced, and quality legal videographer is able to provide for the integrity of both the legal proceedings audio and video, as well as for the presentation and utilization of the recorded media. This includes professional personal appearance, professional standards, ethics, and responsibilities of creating and maintaining a legal record. An inexperienced, freelance videographer lacks these qualities, skills, and abilities and may hurt rather than help bring about a successful legal result.
The official record remains the transcription of what is said, which is taken down by a certified court reporter. The video made by the legal videographer is not an official record, but is instead a valuable resource to the legal team working the case.
There are many situations that will benefit by having an experienced legal videographer. Be an experienced and talented photographer who can make an outstanding video and audio recordings. The videographer must understand rules about depositions. For example, the videographer knows how to proceed if one attorney demands to go off the record. The other wants the deposer to respond to a question before going off the record.
There are instances when an inexperienced person could ruin it. An otherwise excellent video deposition simply because a rule was not followed. In addition, a quality made video deposition is worth the cost to obtain it from an experienced person. Records excellent sound and videos and knows the rules involved. SA Legal Solutions can do exactly this! Call us today!
Cell Phone Videos are Poor Choice
There are attorneys who try to use a cell phone to video a deposition, or maybe have a secretary do it for them. The end result is always less than desirable. In order attempt to get a good sound recording they will need to be very close to the deposer, which can be intimidating and distracting. It is also difficult for an attorney to pay attention to the making of the video and also pay close attention to what is being said.
Self-made videos can be less than useful if it is taken too far from the deposer making it harder to see facial expressions, rolling eyes, and similar expressions. It is very difficult to make a video using a phone and get quality sound. People mumble, they talk over each other, speak softly, or even whisper something. All of these can be difficult to hear when playing back a clip from the video in court. This will make a huge difference. Quality audio and quality video need to be made by someone who has the knowledge and experience to capture both.
Humans are more likely to remember what they see and hear, particularly when video is used in a creative way, such as to zoom in on a face for key response to an important question. Seeing the impact of certain questions on a deposer by watching their face as they respond can have a tremendous impact on a judge and jury both. They cannot see body language in a deposition that is only a written transcript or just a voice recording. There are also other subtleties in a video that can reveal intent of words through things like facial expressions, tone, and volume of what is said.
What to Expect
The legal videographer works closely with the court reporter. The videographer should arrive at the deposition well before scheduled start time. This allows time to figure out the logistics of the room. In addition, set up the video and audio equipment properly.
It is the responsibility of the videographer to get the best possible shot of the deposer. Often this means the camera will be set up to film over the shoulder of the questioning attorney. It is looking directly at the face of the deposer from the front, not from the side.
Summary
In conclusion, once the deposition is completed, the court reporter will provide a transcript that has been synchronized to the videos. Text appears on the screen, such as what is seen when a movie has a closed caption across the bottom.
When the judge and jury get to see the person in the deposition, and simultaneously read the transcript it is extremely impactful. Legal video helps them to judge sincerity and truthfulness. The value to the successful outcome of a case far exceeds to cost of the video itself.
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