Legal Videographer Best Practices

When you hire a legal videographer for your Houston case, you’re hiring a CLVS Certified professional who is trained to deliver exceptional video quality. Our services go beyond depositions to include the signing of wills and estate plans, meetings and hearings, settlement conferences and courtroom playbacks. When you hire us you can be assured we’re using legal videography best practices.

Certified Legal Video Specialists (CLVS) Council of the NCRA Standards

Our legal videographers utilize the 62 standards of CLVS and a level of professionalism that you won’t see with a non-certified videographer. They understand how to work with our court reporters to capture an accurate account of the proceeding including camera, lighting, and sound equipment placement to ensure everyone is heard, seen, and recorded.

Just as a reporter understands when to interrupt proceedings, our videographer also knows when it is appropriate to address the court or meeting leader to resolve the problem.

Time & Place

To avoid delaying the meeting, legal videographers, much like their reporter counterparts, arrive early to check the room and get the technical equipment set up. We recommend arriving at least an hour early to be sure the room is the right size and to account for any time that may be needed to change rooms and test sound and lighting.

Keep it Clear

Keep in mind that while there is a reporter documenting what is being said, the videographer is recording the people in the room. Be conscious of speaking one at a time and not talking over each other. It’s also important not to obstruct the camera or microphone; seems logical but you wouldn’t believe how many video depositions have the attorney’s back in the main frame or a sweater muffling the mic. (And while we’re at it, avoid clicking pens and loud chewing.)

If there are special needs like accessibility or an interpreter, be sure the key players know ahead of time so they can accurately prepare.

It’s our experience that when the video camera is rolling, attorneys and witnesses behave better than when it’s a non-video deposition. There must be something about the thought of being seen acting out of turn that makes people think twice about their behavior!

Make it clear to everyone that the event (deposition, meeting, etc.) is being recorded. Know that when you hire a legal videographer, you’re hiring a trained professional.