Why Videotape a Deposition?

There are many reasons to videotape your depositions:

• Prepares a witness for trial testimony
• More authoritative to jurors
• Provides witness testimony that would otherwise be unavailable for trial
• Clearly shows an exhibit such as x-rays, photos, graphs, models, equipment, etc.
• Reduces the high cost of expert testimony
• Higher juror memory retention
• Allows evaluation and analysis of witness demeanor

But the most important reason to videotape your depositions is that a high percent of communication is non-verbal. A written transcript cannot show body language, facial expressions and voice inflection.

Why Professional Video Depositions Matter

Visuals have that capacity to register faster in the human brain than text or any other stimulation and there are many different occasions that would call for a video production, say a wedding, a birthday, an event launch or even a court deposition. The widely admitted truth today is that movies, DVD’s and YouTube has made us a visual demanding and consuming society. While amateur camcorder videos might have the capability to go viral on YouTube or vimeo, there are occasions that necessitates more than amateur videos skills like in the case of a court deposition, where it could mean life or death.

With the advent of latest file sharing platforms on the internet, it has become even more convenient to shoot and to deposit video files for later retrieval and viewing. Moreover, attorneys across state can connect to witnesses through video conferencing, which make the role of a professional video service vital in making your deposition video. With the kind of deposition video services available now, businesses as well as individuals can make use of the technology to cut down their travel, when making a deposition.

Technology has made it easier than ever to allow attorneys and witnesses in widespread locations to take part in depositions without traveling and also get over the need for such business interruptions though a poorly recorded deposition video has equal chance of misguiding the jury as much as an overtly “produced” deposition video. Unless your deposition video tape captures the nonverbal expressions that are so much a part of true communication, like a witness’s smile or frown, grimaces or nervous twitching, which can assist in evaluating a witness’s demeanor and believability, it would be an incomplete presentation. 

In some professionally made deposition videos, what is caught on camera can sometimes totally change the interpretation of what is being said. Then, as the success or the failure of a trial might hinge on the testimony of one of your video deponents, can you afford to take the risk? There are reputed and experienced (with almost 40 years) video production houses in Arizona, who have also built alliances with some of the top certified court reporters who can help you schedule the right local reporter for your deposition.

In addition to video deposition services, the video production houses also can be made use of in preparing legal edits, video to text synchronization, audio services, inspections, IME's, etc and there are internet savvy directors who can work with Remote Counsel, LiveDeposition, Zoom, Skype, teleconferencing and videoconferencing in prisons, homes, shops and doctor's offices. If you are in Arizona, and are in need of a videographer, search for one who adheres to the standards set forth by CLVS, including providing backups of all video produced, using 3-chip digital cameras with time/date, providing lavaliere microphones to all participating parties, using professional backdrops and lighting and recording audio for the court reporter's use.

What time is it in Arizona?

You may have noticed that Arizonans like to do things their own way. One of those wayward habits is that we don't "do" daylight savings time. We have more than enough sunshine around here as it is; so why put people through the hassle of changing their clocks twice a year?

Unfortunately, this can lead to a great deal of confusion for out of state attorneys and court reporters trying to coordinate setting up a deposition. "Are they on Mountain Time or Pacific Time?" Yes and yes depending on the time of the year.

The rule of thumb is this:

From mid March (when DST begins elsewhere) to early November (when DST ends elsewhere), Arizona time is the same as Pacific DST. The rest of the year Arizona is the same as Mountain Standard Time. The only exception to this is the Navajo Nation in the extreme northeast part of the state; they observe DST.

If this explanation gives you headaches (and we really don't blame you), here's a link for the current Arizona time. Or better yet, let us set up the logistics for you. This way you won't get blames when your attorneys are an hour late or lose an hour of sleep being early because of the time confusion!