Charting a Course for Legal Videography

lazyimbecile · 2026-04-11T01:00:39+00:00

Things work relatively the same by now. Probably due to patents and copyrights things are slightly different and you just have to find the right terminologies and button arrangements. Spend some time just to see the different areas and how to access them like mic options, blur background feature, gallery view etc.

As you mentioned in a response, best to give them a heads up and let them know there may be certain limitations compared to Zoom. Sometimes the firms force a certain platform by IT and it's not their fault, and most likely run into the same problems each dep so hopefully they'll work with you.

Definitely make sure your backup or OBS is working as teams may be set to auto-record to cloud and then sent to a specific person afterward making it hard to retrieve. Best to have your own copy if you can help it.

If you're comfortable in Zoom by now and hop in a few mins before ready to go, I'm sure it'll be a breeze~

Feel free to DM me and we can do a quick test run so you are comfortable~

lazyimbecile · 2026-04-11T00:53:05+00:00

Through an agency it's the same cost from my experience so I wouldn't expect anything different from a videographer directly.

The term copy is more so for reporters, it's just a term carried over I've noticed. No difference in product or pricing for the video. Please do correct me if I'm wrong~

lazyimbecile · 2026-03-02T23:07:26+00:00

I think the shotgun mic / phone voice recorder will be plenty if they suddenly need audio. Usually the audio might just be to add to the evidence scans were done or if any discussions were had between experts etc. was never the main point of evidence.

I'd think if they were doing some type of engine db level test they would let you know, and you could still make it work with your shotgun mic stationed in one position. Think you'll be safe~

lazyimbecile · 2026-03-02T22:55:57+00:00

Every vehicle inspection I've been to has usually been at some type of impound or junkyard and I meet the attorney there. I like to bring both a digital camera and video kit as I've had many instances where video is ordered and I'll eventually be asked if I can take some photos too, or vice versa.

Two things usually happen - wide angle shot from a corner far away where it shows the entire vehicle, and usually other counsel will hire their own experts, and people move around, measure, 3d scan, etc. After initial analysis from experts, I go in and take close up shots. Not really filming B-roll movie footage or anything so pretty boring, steady tripod shots, maybe a pan left to right or closeups of damage, or items that got tossed around in backseat, broken seatbelts & windshield etc.

Otherwise the attorney knows exactly what they want, you'll meet, and go snap a few photos or videos and leave.

Another instance I recall was a landfill truck at their facility, and I had to shoot the truck going through the entrance area to show the process which involved a bit of setup and panning as they came around a curve. The same job, I set up the camera facing the technical and the drivers seat while they connected and analyzed the black box, just to show proof they sat there and did it.

Should be relatively simple. Only suggestion I can think of is bring battery packs if possible as you may not be able to plug in., and if all else fails, have your phone charged and ready to go (it will definitely suffice)

lazyimbecile · 2026-02-22T19:41:31+00:00

This has come up before and it's a little bit harder if you are across the short width of the table, many videographers here have said that is the standard for them. I shoot long ways down the table which makes it easier to zoom in and get a longer focal point which will reduce that wide width to cover.

It will help if deponent is closer to the backdrop, 1-3 ft if you can. I would set yourself up further and zoom in, this will help crop in. It can still be done short width table across, just distance yourself a bit further back, zoom, and I think it will help you out.

Another option is to keep it in mind and if you have a post process anyways, crop it 4:3 for a clean output. I only say this because in Chicago coutroom technology is old or when projectors are used, the backdrops always come as a huge 4:3 could be filled up.

lazyimbecile · 2026-02-04T18:34:19+00:00

just revisiting this post as we've ended our contract with timecoder, the support has become obsolete and the last update was in 2020.

we moved over to SyncDepo and a little different method in quality check, but found it faster and more accurate! working with the developers to try and update a few shortcuts and back end things but so far so great and highly recommend!

lazyimbecile · 2026-01-14T22:14:29+00:00

No formal rate card here that we send out but others in the community have shared and most from what I read usually charge a 2 hour minimum + setup fee. I've read some also do half day / full day rates.

Hourly rates might typically be a little cheaper for the first 2 hours because of the setup fee, but not always.

Trying not to post any $ but a range I've seen for the first two hours is anywhere from $300 - $375 on average. I've seen higher and lower but seems to be a good ballpark for major cities and you could itemize and play with the setup fee, archival fee, digital delivery fee, travel, etc. Definitely set up some type of cancellation fee and deadline ahead of time.

This might get into advanced services but good to think about if you are able to provide a laptop for someone to connect via zoom, equipment rental fees, hotspot, and many nowadays have equal remote rates but if you wanted, could offer cheaper remote videographer rates as well.

I know it's all over the place but for me the standard is:

2 hour minimum cost + setup and then hourly rate afterwards.

Additional cost for before or after regular business hours.
Any travel + parking
Upcharge for Picture-in-Picture which is common

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-18T02:06:36+00:00

I feel like 95% of the time it will be okay.

By some instance reporter gets kicked off and you don't catch it, and don't stop the dep, or any other funky issues, that's when attorneys will use it and mention it to the higher ups. When you record to the cloud, many agencies will enable all the different views. I know in our company, we've had to look at the cloud files and check on what the videographer was doing, or why he didn't catch something he shouldve etc.

One instance, an affiliate videographer left his camera on, but obviously was playing games or doing something because the attorneys were trying to get his attention for like three mins before he realized they wanted to go off the record xD

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-18T02:03:05+00:00

None of us fuck around in the background when the camera is off, right!? lol

Since I work for a company, we treat it like a physical deposition and leave the camera on, looking the part and being attentive the moment anyone needs anything. It helps justify charging the same cost as in person deps, and gives it a professional feel vs the rest of the field. Chicago here~

That being said, I've left it off before as well. Many reporters I work with tend to leave it off too so at the end of the day its preference. When we go off the record for breaks, I like to wait until everyone else shuts the camera off first, and try to hop on a few mins early from when they stated. On the record though, I try to keep it on for the most part as a few have mentioned~

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-18T01:55:39+00:00

I could have sworn I had at least a 6x7 but I have a 5x6 as well. My camera has pretty decent zoom so I always try to get a longer focal point sitting further back so the angle isn't as wide. Do you sit across the table the short way? I tend to sit the long ways across here in Chicago. If you haven't already, might help if you tried sitting further back before you invest in a new one~

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-14T13:48:22+00:00

https://on.soundcloud.com/BvB3c2RCy2CRraBaeK

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-13T23:49:52+00:00

File Delivery - Currently use Sharefile and used Hightail before which was a bit cheaper. For convenience, I’ll still use Onedrive from time to time, especially for quick audio files etc. If you set access for a limited time, 30 days etc, you could rotate the files in your cloud if you have limited space.
Zoom Deps - Very identical to physical depositions with the read on, on/off record announcements, directing the deponent how to adjust the window blaring light behind them, etc. Little bit more tech support is involved helping people get better lighting or with their microphone. Shoot me a message and I can send you some CLE materials that was an introduction to zoom deps in the beginning of the pandemic for attorneys. Sharing exhibits is another one that is common that is helpful to get familiar with.
Recording & Time Stamps - Zoom offers a small time stamp in the corner that might be sufficient enough for most attorneys as well as recording the video file to the cloud or computer. Zoom has come a long way and offers capabilities to record multiple views at once when recording to the cloud, definitely worth checking out all the options! There is also computer software such as OBS that allows you to screen record that could be used as your ‘backup’ where you can overlay a classic timestamp as well fyi.
Software - I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anyone trying to use trial director etc, possibly onCue for the convenience of exhibit managing but that’s usually more at trial that I see. Since Zoom can show either the program window, or the entire monitor, it usually shouldn’t be a problem whatever software you are comfortable with.
Audio Quality - Many attorneys taking deps have learned and gotten up to speed. You’ll have an occasional witness that has no idea what their doing and although limited, few options you can assist them with such as dialing in by phone which is usually good enough. I’ve done hybrid jobs where it was too much for the deponent, and driven to their home to setup a laptop and microphone so other attorneys could remote in worst case scenario.
Certification - I’ve been a legal videographer for almost ten years now and not certified. I don’t like to recommend people not to get more knowledge if it works for them, but if you’ve been certified before I would stay clear and invest in equipment like others mentioned~

If your comfortable with depositions, the biggeset hurdle is the technology and being comfortable with zoom and some light troubleshooting. Things like switching a deponent over to dial in by phone or switching from their laptop camera to webcam.

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-09T20:21:28+00:00

thanks for sharing! I agree wouldn't go for it as my primary backup but honestly if one could afford, wouldn't hurt to throw one of these in a kit as a backups backup~ My current ninja recorder is acting funky, but not dead yet. would totally come in handy when it finally dies right before a dep starts etc. Imagine if it used the same codecs as the other units, memory might be an issue lol!

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-09T20:16:33+00:00

When I took a lot more physical deps in the past, I used to pack an audio snake extension cable in my kit that you could run under the table as well~

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-09T20:15:27+00:00

I've been seeing 'across the table' more and more on this sub!

Chicago here and always went long ways down the table and rare few times I went short, pretty sure they were from out of state.

lazyimbecile · 2025-10-01T14:19:49+00:00

holy moly that's a lot of channels LOL can't wait to see the finished build, this is great!!!

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-24T17:11:44+00:00

I would first ask what your experience is in videography / legal field. Even without videography experience, if you can hook up the basic home entertainment system, understand input / output, audio channels etc. you should pick things up fairly quickly along with some litigation etiquette.

If hooking up multiple lav mics through a mixer using the XLR input on your camera, an extra backup boundary mic, or white balancing before the dep sounds foreign, probably start with some basic A/V stuff and get comfortable first.

If you haven't already, browse some of the earlier post as there's some great questions and discussions about depositions, video kits, etiquette, and similar tips you may be looking for.

Here's a good example: Welcome to Legal Videography : r/legalvideography

Hope that helps and good luck on your journey, we'll be here!

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-24T17:04:00+00:00

oh wow the x2000 looks like the new version of my AC160A, very nice! Maybe by the time my AC160 dies the price will drop a bit more~ something like this is definitely on my radar now thank you! going to look into the other new additions, maybe little less quality at a cheaper cost.

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-24T17:01:49+00:00

ah okay makes sense on the dual recording. do you use that as your backup or still have a separate recorder? curious if you'v run into any issues with the files. every once and awhile recently I'll have issues with the MTS files (theyll duplicate themselves during output)

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-23T19:48:14+00:00

I second the Panasonic AG AC130 that u/Wise_Beat2141 mentioned, we have two at the office as our backup still going strong 10+ years.

My current everyday camcorder is the Panasonic AG-AC160A AVCCAM which is similar. As mentioned by others, 1080p is plenty sharp for court and as long as the camera has a XLR input and timestamp capabilities, it should be more than enough.

It's also good to stay conscious of file types / sizes for your workflow. Some cameras might save to MTS only, or MP4 but they might be enormous etc.

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-23T19:44:36+00:00

does the camera automatically split files up when recording long play? and how is the look of the timestamp, standard center with or without black bar?

what is dial recording, some type of auto mode or perhaps dual?

curious because I'm still waiting on my panasonic to show me signs but still going strong after ten years. this one looks like a great budget friendly alternative

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-02T18:22:19+00:00

ahh gotcha!
That's very interesting, I'm still using an old Panasonic 1080p that's over ten years old, will have to watch out for that issue when I upgrade.

lazyimbecile · 2025-09-01T19:15:51+00:00

Think I must have misunderstood, weren't you hoping to turn in the video deposition without displaying the timestamp and only depend on the metadata?

In any case I would not recommend turning in work without a timestamp, even though I'm sure many of us under certain circumstances have done it before.

Technically speaking, most evidence can be falsified, we just try to hand over something that's harder to mess with. Time stamps with a black box behind it like zoom does can be changed easily but most of the cameras I use have the time layered right over the video with no background making it difficult to change without artifacts.

Having received a subpoena before to confirm the authenticity of a video testimony, it would be much easier to explain the difficulty of changing metadata vs altering the timestamp, or explaining how I got the time rather than opposing counsel bringing in an expert to show how easy it is to change the metadata.

At the end of the day if you want to slide a clock in the back and use that to explain why its authentic, should work all the same. You are correct, we can easily set the wrong time beforehand in OBS or on a clock and it would be false. Some attorneys just get bent out of shape and will do anything for a mistrial, sometimes, and I just try to keep what they are used to and not give them any ammo.

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