Everything spoken during a legal deposition is delivered to attorneys in the form of a transcript. This provides vital, yet incomplete, information. The fact is that video conveys much more than just words on a page. Everything from a person’s body language to their tone of voice to how long they take to answer questions is evident from a video, but you don’t get all of this when all you have is a transcript.
Yet, if you don’t have a professional and skilled legal videographer in Phoenix, AZ, the video may not be worth much. Having the right equipment is crucial to capturing a deposition accurately. Let’s look at the toolbox any high-quality legal videographer will possess:
- Audio: In any deposition, it’s required for the court reporter to receive an audio recording to confirm that it agrees with the transcript. Videographers have to use several microphones during the deposition: one for the deponent, one for the first direct examiner and another for the cross-examiner. Adjusting the audio levels appropriately is a best practice to make sure each person is audible. Many videographers will pin the microphone to a person’s lapel to best capture their voice.
- Camera: An iPhone camera isn’t going to do for this situation. Legal videographers’ cameras must meet specific requirements. They must have manual audio controls, a lens that has at least a focal length ratio of 10:1 and image resolution that’s a minimum of 350 horizontal lines. This ensures a high-quality image that everyone can see.
- Lights: Getting the lighting right is crucial to showing people’s faces and capturing emotions. A trained videographer will study the room’s lighting and adjust it accordingly to get the right balance of color. They’ll also get rid of any backlighting that could weaken the image. Eliminating shadows is another element of proper lighting.
- Camera skills: Every legal videographer in Phoenix, AZ should have a firm understanding of procedures for capturing a deposition. For example, getting the camera position right so that the deponent’s hand and face are visible during the oath is important. Videographers also do not zoom in on any image unless it’s absolutely necessary. The camera must have a clear view of exhibits or documents that are presented.
When you’re preparing for trial, you want to make sure that you have an excellent legal videographer in Phoenix, AZ. The details matter, and it’s going to make things difficult if things aren’t organized or are incomplete. To avoid headaches, setbacks and misinformation, make sure you’re hiring a firm with the skills and experience to support you.
At Bartelt | Nix Reporting, LLC, our team is trained to the highest standards and does everything in its power to support your case. If you’re doing video conferencing to share evidence and facts or require detailed court reporting and transcription, we’re your go-to source for legal success. Our team of seasoned professionals provides invaluable support for all our clients. Call us right now for more information and to receive a free consultation.