Video Depositions Make a Difference
Legal depositions allow an absent witness to have valuable input at a legal proceeding, but lack the impact of live testimony. Let us show you how Huseby’s legal videographers can create video depositions that carry great persuasive ability.
The Power of Video
Traditional legal depositions are designed to be documentation of the spoken word. Although our deposition reporters create complete records, they can’t capture all the nuances that video can. Often, the messages within a testimony are not just the words themselves — but in the non-verbal communication that accompanies them.
A statement given by someone who nervously fidgets and is unable to meet the questioning attorney’s gaze suddenly doesn’t carry as much weight with a jury. Testimony given in a voice that catches with emotion or delivered with a confident tone is more powerful. Video depositions convey a wealth of information in every move and gesture a witness makes.
Understanding The Medium
Video depositions are unlike traditional depositions. Elements like camera angles or backgrounds have great impact on the final product. Witnesses must dress and act as though they are in court. Distractions such as witness mannerisms or intrusive background noise need to be dealt with.
Video is also unlike live testimony. Attorneys want to emphasize information that strengthens their cases while weakening testimony that works against them. Methods of questioning used in the courtroom can be used in video depositions for this purpose, but new techniques can be added as well. Dynamic camera movement, carefully dressed “sets,” and other details create a powerful message.
Huseby Has Experienced Legal Videographers
Filming your own video depositions is like taking out your own appendix. It might be cheaper, but the results could be disastrous.
Video and audio are complex media. What we see and hear is not always what the camera picks up. A striped shirt can become a distracting display of shifting lines. Shuffled papers can sound like a roaring avalanche. We use only the best cameras and audio equipment to assure that the final video is polished and professional.
Huseby’s legal videographers have an array of skills that go beyond an agency that videos weddings and birthday parties. As a court reporting agency we employ videographers who understand both the technical aspects of video and the legal aspects of depositions. You receive a DVD with high quality video cut into tracks so you can quickly find any part of the testimony you need. Video is synchronized with the transcript so searching even hours of testimony is easy.
We’ve found some people are reluctant to try video depositions because they fear the cost. Today’s technology makes it a very inexpensive process and the depth it adds to witness testimony is invaluable. Try video for your next deposition and we know you’ll be pleased with the impact it provides.
