Depositions? A four-letter word?

Juanfordroad

Juanfordroad

Active member
Just sent out around a hundred brochures, mostly to lawyers, looking for work. As fate would have it, the very next day I got a call from one of them and have an appointment next week, not for depositions, but for a heartstring-tugging video for the jury; photo montage, music, effects.

My question is about doing deposition work and if any of you have shot one. I saw one a week ago and it's pretty straight forward; Locked shot, three mics, available light. Any suggestions on what to charge for this? Are consumer digital camcorders acceptable? Do most courtrooms still use VHS? Is it worth the time and energy?

Thanks,
Juan
 
Thanks. I had no idea there were certification programs involved. I've done a couple of DVD>VHS transfers so far and the firm says they will use me for their depositions but wasn't aware of the certification process. Any other tips? What about this heartstring piece? Same requirements?
 
probably not. When you do a video depositions it's just like a legal document and is subject to the same requirements. I wouldn't worry about the heartsting piece. the firm should make sure they are meeting all the requirements for it to be legally admissable and they probably are.
 
Great information, BHW & SW. Will get signed up with the local court reporters asap but still have a burning question as to price. I realize the size of the town has most everything to do with it but could there be a 'ballpark' figure based on city populations, number of lawyers, etc? I live in a small (50k) town but am sending my propaganda out to larger (and smaller) cities. My feet already have lots of holes in them from the shots I've fired so I can't take many more...

Thanks,
 
I also don't believe you have to be certified in all but a few states. You might check into that. I went ahead and became certified, sent out close to two thousand letters and brochures, was listed on a national website, and got one call and no business.

Lost interest and found out from a friend who does depos that it's boring. So never really followed up.

But on the certification, check into it. As I said, don't believe it's required in all states, all though those who are in the business of certifying, are pushing for it.

Good Luck.
 
Juanfordroad said:
Great information, BHW & SW. Will get signed up with the local court reporters asap but still have a burning question as to price. I realize the size of the town has most everything to do with it but could there be a 'ballpark' figure based on city populations, number of lawyers, etc? I live in a small (50k) town but am sending my propaganda out to larger (and smaller) cities. My feet already have lots of holes in them from the shots I've fired so I can't take many more...

Thanks,
Click to expand...

They might be right. I haven't found anything that outright states that certification is required after reading Bald Headed wonders post. It looks like the hardest thing is to get a firm or reporting company to hire you. I would assume that having some sort of certification would help that process but that's always true as "AZsspvideo" stated
 
Muchas Gracias, as they say out here in the desert Southwest. They also say Shake out your boots before sticking your foot in, plus lots of other interesting 'sayings'.

J-F-D-R.
 
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