How to do court deposition at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · January 5th, 2009, 11:44 AM

I have a court deposition videotaping job tomorrow at downtown Cincinnati, OH.

Have no idea what I'm doing.

Anyone help me out?

There will only be two people involved, so I'm thinking I could use two wireless and run my PD150.

I do understand it has to be done a certain way to fulfill legal requirements but I don't know what those are.

Harold Schreiber · January 5th, 2009, 12:54 PM

Hi Jeff,

Please do a search for "depositions", you will find a wealth of info from a few of us who have done them.

Harold

Blake Cavett · January 5th, 2009, 04:28 PM

Hey Jeff... did my first one last week! I'm no expert by any means, but here's what I learned:

> If you have hardwire lavalier mics, use those.
> Everyone involved (- the court reporter) should get a mic.
> Wear headphones.
> There should be a backdrop behind the witness.
> You'll have stuff to read/say at the beginning of the deposition and when it's over.
> Give the attorneys a signal when there's about 5 minutes left on tape.
> No lights!

Jeff Harper · January 5th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Blake, just realized my mics are wireless, and battery operated. Of course I knew that, but I hadn't thought about the consequences of the battery deal. Will there be a break where I could change the batteries in the wireless mics?

Could I get by with just the two wireless mics do you think?

The backdrop is out of the question, don't have one, and it's too late in the day to get one. Deposition is at 9am!

I am desperately waiting for a local guy who does these a lot to call me and advise...I am getting a bit edgy. Whew, and this is happening at a very prestigious law firm.

Edit, just talked to the court reporter who hired me. One lavalier and one table mic is fine, so I'm covered there. I will need software later on for adding the transcript, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

And your right, background is important.

Tim Harjo · January 5th, 2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

I have a court deposition videotaping job tomorrow at downtown Cincinnati, OH.

Have no idea what I'm doing.

Anyone help me out?

There will only be two people involved, so I'm thinking I could use two wireless and run my PD150.

I do understand it has to be done a certain way to fulfill legal requirements but I don't know what those are.

Here you go...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/wedding-e...positions.html

Jeff Harper · January 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Thanks for the link Tim, I very much appreciate it. I'll read it.

In the meantime I gave the job away. This is a huge environmental case involving the government and some big corp, and is not the job to cut my teeth on!

January 5th, 2009, 11:44 AM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	How to do court deposition I have a court deposition videotaping job tomorrow at downtown Cincinnati, OH. Have no idea what I'm doing. Anyone help me out? There will only be two people involved, so I'm thinking I could use two wireless and run my PD150. I do understand it has to be done a certain way to fulfill legal requirements but I don't know what those are.

January 5th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Blake, just realized my mics are wireless, and battery operated. Of course I knew that, but I hadn't thought about the consequences of the battery deal. Will there be a break where I could change the batteries in the wireless mics? Could I get by with just the two wireless mics do you think? The backdrop is out of the question, don't have one, and it's too late in the day to get one. Deposition is at 9am! I am desperately waiting for a local guy who does these a lot to call me and advise...I am getting a bit edgy. Whew, and this is happening at a very prestigious law firm. Edit, just talked to the court reporter who hired me. One lavalier and one table mic is fine, so I'm covered there. I will need software later on for adding the transcript, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. And your right, background is important. Last edited by Jeff Harper; January 5th, 2009 at 05:35 PM.

January 5th, 2009, 12:54 PM	#2
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Jeff, Please do a search for "depositions", you will find a wealth of info from a few of us who have done them. Harold

January 5th, 2009, 04:28 PM	#3
Blake Cavett Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Madison Posts: 330	Hey Jeff... did my first one last week! I'm no expert by any means, but here's what I learned: > If you have hardwire lavalier mics, use those. > Everyone involved (- the court reporter) should get a mic. > Wear headphones. > There should be a backdrop behind the witness. > You'll have stuff to read/say at the beginning of the deposition and when it's over. > Give the attorneys a signal when there's about 5 minutes left on tape. > No lights!

January 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#6
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thanks for the link Tim, I very much appreciate it. I'll read it. In the meantime I gave the job away. This is a huge environmental case involving the government and some big corp, and is not the job to cut my teeth on!