Depositions, also known as examinations before the trial, allows you to conduct discovery, questioning potential witnesses to gather information and data that will be useful to present at trail. Utilizing a deposition is one of the disclosure tools available to you. Typically, during the deposition, the testimony is recorded by a court reporter. Another option, in addition to utilizing a court report, is to have the deposition videotaped. This results n the production of a transcript and video of the deposition.
What is Video and Transcript Synching?
At Accelerated Court Reporting, when taking your deposition, we have the ability to synch your transcript and video together resulting in a compelling tool to leverage at trial. Synching your transcripts with the video allows the judge and jurors to experience the recorded testimony (behaviors, movements, eye contact) as if they were actually at the deposition. It creates an emotional connection with the written transcript when synched with video.
When the transcript is synched with the video file, each line of the transcript is "time-coded" to the respective portion of the video that is being displayed. Once we finalize, the synch file, this allows you utilize portions fo the synched video and transcript file that are relevant during the trial proceeding. You choose the portions most impactful to display at trial. Our final product of the synched video and transcript file will allow you to:
- Search the transcript and find the corresponding video that aligns to that search
- Export portions of the and video using the highlight and export feature. This creates a separate clip from the full file that can be used for presentations
- Import the synchronized transcript into your preferred trial management software (Trial Director, Summation, Live Note, etc.)
- Redact different areas of the transcript as deemed necessary (objections, and play back the redacted deposition video)
We provide you with the proprietary software system, The DepoviewTM viewer, which provides you with access to customize and edit your synchronized video transcript at your convenience. The DepoviewTM viewer is simple to use, automated, and intuitive, allowing you to create, search, and edit video clips on-demand based on your schedule.
If you find that video depositions and video synching are out of reach for you, consider that if you conduct video depositions and synch your transcripts, the cost of doing so is recoverable when you win your case. Providing your clients with the options of video depositions and synched transcripts results in a win for your clients as it creates a stronger case.
Three Tips for Successful Video Deposition Edits
When presenting your case at trial, you are presented with an allotted timeframe to make your case. Therefore, it is imperative that you utilize this time to the best of your ability, focusing on the most critical tools and tactics that will lead to winning your case. As such, it is feasible when presenting video depositions at trials that you review and highlight the most relevant frames that will be useful in supporting your case. Playing an entire recording in court may not be permissible in court, may work against your position, or may loose your audience. Therefore we provide the following guidelines to share how to edit your video depositions, to short clips, allowing for the most impact and leading to a winning strategy:
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KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid). Simplicity get the message across to your audience in a manner that they can comprehend. Sometimes, simplicity means keeping it short. Keep your videos under 20 minutes so that you do not loose the focus of your jurors. Additionally, ensure that the message is clear and can be comprehended by all.
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Cut. Cut all non-essential elements out of your clips that will be presented at trial. Only show what's important and relevant to the case. You have a short window of opportunity to project your message, captivate the audience and share the facts. Do not distract your audience by showing non-essential information.
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First. In this case, it good to be the tortoise instead of the Hare in the fable the "Tortoise and the Hare." Present your most relevant questions first, irrespective of how they are presented in the recording. Again, using the cut step from above, allows you to reorder the video transcript synch in the manner that is most relevant to your case.
Transcripts and video depositions can be synched to create a tool that will be impressive when presented are trial. There are numerous ways to enhance the results of your synched video and transcriptions files to influence and engage your audience.
