Certain things are best accomplished in private. Setting up for a legal video deposition is one of them.

Without resorting to paragraphs of pure hubris, I’ll venture to say I’m fond of standards, procedures and processes. (McDonald’s clearly demonstrates how powerful this can be) I’ve built and run successful businesses by identifying issues and creating systems to get things done.

I have to chuckle when I watch the CNBC program, “The Profit” where the host often speaks of people, product and process. (I’ve been doing this for years, he is a Millionaire and has his own television show, what’s wrong with this picture?)

So, what does this have to do with the setup for a legal video deposition? Plenty. I have routines that cover everything from handling things once as I take them from my cart, to pulling chairs away from the conference table for the running of wires and power cables, placement of the backdrop, my portable folding equipment tables, (one for the gear case, the other as a desk so I can take notes on the PC during the deposition) etc.

I like to be as early as I can with at least one hour to spare as I use the remaining time, again, as part of my process to read my Kindle, glance at the newspaper and get “ready” for the proceedings.

With conference room doors closed, I often turn to my IPhone and specifically a technology podcast hosted by Leo LaPorte (The Tech Guy) to keep me company during setup. Of course, when the client or Court Reporter enters the room, I silence it immediately. With this procedure in place, I’m happy, my gear is ready, wires are neatly wrapped and I’m ready to go when the client comes in.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Just this past week an 82-year old witness and her medical entourage and Attorney arrived almost one hour early and I had to setup with them, and eventually with the Court Reporter also in place. There was plainly, no room to maneuver.  I was thrown off my game but was able to rapidly get ready for the start of the deposition which took place 30 minutes BEFORE the schedule start time. Was this fun? No, in fact, it was stressful. Of course it all worked out.

I’ve also encountered clients curious about the technical side of things and conversations often ensue around recording formats, camera specifics, editing and the rest. I readily engage in these topics when asked, but I’m often doing so while I’m up against a setup deadline and while I’m going through my own checklist of items to complete before the deposition begins. Little things like having the caption information and the corrected phonetic spelling of the witness’s name rehearsed have on a few occasions fallen through the cracks.

On one occasion an Attorney planning to open his own in-house video operation went through my gear writing down model numbers and asking my opinions about the items in my kit. Really, I can’t make this stuff up.

I’m eager to find ways to encourage those who schedule what we do to spend a few more seconds of time reviewing load-in and setup requirements with their clients. I realize it’s not about us, but we have to do a better way of communicating our needs.

So, tell me. How off-base do you think this is? Have you ever come up against similar scenarios? I’m eager to hear your feedback.

Regards to all,

Avery

ARG Legal Video - Houston.

ARG Legal Video provides video deposition services in Houston Texas. Whenever you need a Legal Videographer in Houston, Texas you can count on us. We're always on-time, technically proficient and easy to work with. Please visit our website at www.arg-legalvideo.com 

We provide our services to a number of national legal support companies, court reporting and law firms of all sizes. Yes, we can travel if necessary.