American Guild of Court Videographers News

Video Conferencing Tips

Wed, 27 May 2020 20:30:00 GMT

Looking for some easy tips you can share with your clients to help them navigate video conference depositions? Here are two videos posted to the AGCV's YouTube channel that you can embed on your own website or share via social media:

Tips for Improving Audio and Video Quality:

Tips for Avoiding Technical Difficulties:

Legal Video Resource YouTube Channel & Podcast

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Check out the Legal Video Resource YouTube Channel & Podcast for tips, tricks, and guides for legal video success!

http://legalvideoresource.com

Deposition Video Testimony Allowed in Murder Trial

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Warning: graphic images.

A Franklin County, Ohio judge ruled to allow the testimony of the murder victim recorded via video deposition to be played to the jury.

Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provide, in part, that: A party may move that a prospective witness be deposed in order to preserve testimony for trial. The court may grant the motion because of exceptional circumstances and in the interest of justice.

The judge will rule on objections to the testimony, which will then be edited out of the video prior to making the testimony public in court.

What does the law consider to be a professional videographer?

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Beyond the Rules of Civil Procedure (both Federal and Local), there is little guidance in the case law about whom may provide video recording services in a deposition. However, one case from Louisiana’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals provides us with insight into precisely what should be required. Brigsten v. Southern Baptist Hosp., 690 So. 2d 810 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1996).

In 1996, the court ruled on an appeal that focused on whether or not the law firm’s staff or office personnel could serve as the videographer to record depositions of witnesses in the case. Initially, the trial court permitted the plaintiff to take depositions with the attorney’s secretary serving as the videographer. However, the appeals court disagreed. It pointed out that the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 1440 required that there be “provisions to assure that the recorded testimony [] be accurate and trustworthy.” La. C.C.P. art. 1440 (emphasis added).

In its ruling, the court identified two factors that impact the accuracy and trustworthiness of the recorded testimony. First, the court noted that the defendant identified three primary areas of concern that could affect the objectivity of the deposition. Second, the court held that there is a need for consistency in the level of the court reporter and of the videographer.

Objectivity of the Deposition

Defense counsel identified that “audio problems, picture quality and angles of a non-professional videographer could very well affect the objectivity of the deposition.” Id. at 811. Virtually any activity undertaken by a videographer in the process of recording the deposition video itself falls into one of these three categories. Indeed, these three areas of concern are of paramount importance to the accuracy and trustworthiness of the video. Non-professional videographers, due to their lack of training and expertise, may inadvertently impact the objectivity of the recording.

This is why the AGCV’s Certified Deposition Video Specialist Course discusses the components of each of these three areas of concern and demands that the recordings produced by videographers are of high quality and rigorous consistency. Videographers that have undertaken the AGCV’s training and demonstrated their skills by passing our written and practical examination demonstrate that they are professional videographers in the litigation support context.

Consistency As Between Court Reporters and Videographers

The court also stated that “[i]t would be inconsistent to provide for a certified professional reporter to be used when transcribing and not to require that a professional videographer be used in a videotaped deposition.” Id. Beyond the implicit expectations of the Code of Civil Procedure, common sense dictates that operators involved in the capture of sworn testimony have the requisite training, demonstrate strength of character, and uphold the ideals of our legal system.

While some videographers may never swear in a witness, at the AGCV, we expect that the videographers that go through our training hold themselves to the same standards and expectations of professional reporters. They need to be cordial in their interactions with others, competent at their jobs, and disinterested in the outcome of the case so as to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness of the deposition recording.

But at the AGCV, we go one step further than what the court expects or requires. While it holds that a professional videographer is sufficient to ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of the video, AGCV videographers that complete the CDVS Course may also submit to a written examination and practical test to further signify their commitment to their profession and the legal field. The professional videographers that complete this process are then certified, in much the same way court reporters are certified to perform their work.

The court ultimately concluded “that a party seeking a deposition, if desirous of using a videotape of that deposition, shall provide a disinterested professional [**4] videographer to take the deposition.” Id. at 812 (emphasis added). AGCV Certified Deposition Video Specialists clearly live up to the paradigm of professional videographer because of their adherence to high quality standards, rigorous consistency, and parity with court reporters as disinterested third parties that capture the record. Furthremore, they exceed the expectations of the court by subjecting themselves to a Certification process that demonstrates their knowledge and expertise.

The next time you hire a videographer, ask them to show you their AGCV Certified Deposition Video Specialist Certification. If you already have a preferred videographer, you can ensure that they are a Certified professional by going to http://agcv.com/certificate-directory.

AGCV 2017 Industry Survey

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:00:00 GMT

As we prepare to welcome in 2018, we wanted to pause for a moment and ask you to help us at the AGCV better understand the industry as a whole by taking part in our first ever Industry Survey.

It won't take long and we promise not to sell or share your email address with anyone. We just want to know a little bit more about who you are, what you think about the industry, and what tools you utilize to serve clients.

The more information we have the better and this isn't limited to just AGCV Members. Please forward this survey on to anyone you know who might be interested in participating.

When we close the survey down (in early January), we'll share a special thank you to everyone who participated.

Thanks in advance!

The Legal Video Career Path eBook

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:00:00 GMT

If you have been a part of many of our Webinars or Q&A Calls, you have probably heard me mention The Legal Video Career Path.

It's a very natural progression that most all legal videographers go through as they start out their journey in the legal video field and then expand their services or increase their expertise. This career path is what we have designed and developed our certifications, training courses, and resources around.

We're introducing a brand new eBook geared toward those of you that have always wondered, what's next for me in the legal video field or where do I start.

The eBook is absolutely free and you can download it at any time by clicking here and entering your email address.

Here at the AGCV, we are focused on advancing the legal video profession and we would love your help with this! If you know of someone who would benefit from this information, please forward a link to this post to them.

Thank you for your time!

Jason Wietholter
Chief Executive Officer
American Guild of Court Videographers

Check Out the AGCV YouTube Channel!

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Have you subscribe to the AGCV YouTube Channel?

You should!

From time to time we post little vignettes, explainer videos, webinars, tips, tricks, and more. You'll want to subscribe because we'll be adding a number of new videos and content to the channel in the coming months.

It is also a great resource for sharing video content with your social media networks.

So, what are you waiting for?! Go check it out!

Introducing the TMPGEnc Video Mastering Works 6 Course

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 14:00:00 GMT

Today, we are introducing a brand new Training Course - Encoding Deposition Video Using TMPGEnc's Video Mastering Works - that will be available beginning November 15, 2017. It is designed to walk you through precisely how to encode and deliver deposition video to your clients. We'll cover:

Setting Up TMPGEnc VMW 6 For Success (available right now for FREE)
Walk Through of the TMPGEnc Interface & Encoding Process
How to Encode Deposition Video to MPEG-1, 2, 3, and 4
Advanced Encoding Techniques Using TMPGEnc VMW 6
Pre-configured Templates & Presets to give you a jump start on your post-production process

This course will typically cost $199, but we have a very special offer for early registrants.

You can register for the Deposition Video Post-Production Course right now for just $99!

To get started, head over to the AGCV Training Portal and register for the course. Use coupon code "post-earlybird" at checkout to get the special price.

AGCV Membership ID Cards Are Here!

Fri, 20 Oct 2017 14:00:00 GMT

It's been a long time coming, but one of the most requested features by AGCV Membership is finally here: Membership Cards!

To download yours, simply log in to your account and go to your Member Profile page. We have also created a quick tutorial on our YouTube Channel to help you get started with them. Check it out:

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Use them in your work as a legal videographer. Here are a few ideas:

Displaying to Security Personnel as you enter a building with all of your gear.
Showing to Law Office staff to introduce yourself.
Demonstrating your expertise and professionalism to lawyers and clients.
Getting discounts on traveling with equipment.
and much more...

We would love to hear how you are using these in your day-to-day operations! Send us an email at info@agcv.com so that we can share your stories with other members of the AGCV Community.

Thank you for your time and for being a Member of the AGCV!

NEW TRAINING: How to Stream Deposition Video (and increase your bottom line).

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:00:00 GMT

Attorneys and firms are looking for ways to cut costs and make better use of their budgets. Simultaneously, other stakeholders and members of the litigation team are trying to find ways to keep their finger on the pulse of the testimony coming out of depositions.

Wouldn't it be great if you could offer a service that would add to your bottom-line, provide more flexibility to your clients, all while simultaneously saving them money?!

Join Jason Wietholter as he walks through how to stream your deposition video to clients and other viewers. In this 2-hour webinar, we will discuss the equipment necessary, the servers/services that will help to host your stream, and how to provide your client with a delightful experience that will make them want to use you again and again.

Click here to check out the on-demand, at your own pace course on our Training Portal.

Getting the Most Out of Your AGCV Membership (Recorded Webinar)

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 18:18:56 GMT

New Website & Member Portal

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the AGCV's New Website and Member Portal.