There are lots of benefits to having a videographer on the job with you, but what makes court reporters nervous is the risk: What if the one you hire is late, unprepared or unprofessional? That would reflect badly on you. Therefore, the most important thing to do is choose your videographer or video company carefully. Consider talking to three companies before you pick the one you will work with.
When new customers call me, they often ask questions like, “Are you reliable? Do you show up on time? Will you handle yourself professionally?” Of course, anyone would say “yes.” Instead of doing that, use the questions below to help you determine how professional and reliable a particular video company or freelancer is:
1) How many depositions have you videotaped? Can you provide references?
Make sure he has satisfied customers in the legal community. You don’t want to be the guinea pig for a videographer who’s just learning his trade. If they don’t have references yet, politely pass. If they do, be sure to check those references.
2) Do you use broadcast quality equipment?
With the proliferation of amateur camcorders available on the market today, not everyone is using professional grade equipment, which will be obvious both to your clients and in the final product. While you don’t want to get into a discussion about what kind of equipment they’re using (videographers can get excited when talking about their equipment, so beware!), you do want to be leery of anybody who tells you that his handheld camcorder does a great job. Even if the recording quality of such a camera were adequate, an attorney who sees his home video camera at a depo will be unimpressed.
3) Do you typically record a backup during the deposition?
This is standard procedure among professionals. Anybody who shoots depositions without making a simultaneous backup is taking a big, unnecessary risk. If they try to tell you not to worry about backups, move along and find someone who plays it safe.
4) Do you mic everyone separately?
A legal video professional uses a separate mic for every participant—both lawyers and the deponent. Anything less compromises the quality of the audio recording.
5) Do you have any education, training or certification in legal video?
Ideally you’ll hire a videographer who has made legal video his career. The more conscientious he is, the greater the likelihood that he has taken the time to formally learn his craft.
Remember that once you find someone reliable and professional to call when you need them, the scary part is over and you can enjoy the benefits of offering video services to your clients.
Most of all, you’ll enjoy the additional profits.
John Doyle has taped over 300 depositions and is the owner of Legal Video, Etc. in Southern California. You can reach him by email at johnmdoyle@mindspring.com or by phone at 714-392-2542.
