hlanden
The Dean
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Aug 31, 2004, 10:12 AM
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Re: [Robert Gonzales] A Different Legal Question
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The following is excerpted from The Legal Video Specialist" available from VideoUniversity
http://videouniversity.com/lawvid.htm
While depositions are the mainstay of legal video, there are other types of video which are used in the legal profession. The following are some examples of the other types of legal videos:
One type of video is where attorneys videotape "mock trials" to analyze testimony or give a witness the opportunity to experience a cross examination before the actual trial. These video lets the lawyers critique and modify performance for the desired end results.
Animators are often called upon to reconstruct, through computer-generated video, the sequence of events in an accident. For instance the jury sees a 3-D computer animation which realistically recreates a car accident and clearly shows how one individual or machinery is at fault. These can be extremely persuasive.
A Settlement Documentary allows the plaintiff’s attorney to present in a compelling manner the liability and damages of his case to the defense attorney and insurance adjuster before the trial or mediation. The documentary video is a short summary of the case against the plaintiff incorporating "fact" witnesses as well as "before and after" witnesses. This video “case” can result in a substantial settlement before the mediation. Mulit million dollar settlements are not uncommon.
“Day in the Life” videos can show in just 20 – 30 minutes how difficult a life has become due to an accident. Even the normal activities most of us take for granted like eating, dressing and bathing. become difficult. Jurors can easily see how the accident has adversely affected a life and are often willing to grant larger settlements. This work will likely bring you into a person’s home to document their present condition. I have done videos of terminally ill people, or comatose people on life support. These are difficult situations.
These documentary videos are quite different from doing depositions. Unlike depositions a documentary calls upon your best filmmaking skills. The point of the video is to evoke strong feelings pro or con a person, corporation or other thing. The attorney who is paying you should give you a clear assignment and direction. Making these kinds of evocative documentaries is an art form in itself that is beyond the scope of this manual. In these situations you will want to learn as much as you can beforehand so that you are well aware of the situation. Let the attorney be your director, find out what he wants to present to the court so that you can plan your shoot accordingly.
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Excerpted from The Legal Video Specialist" available from VideoUniversity
http://videouniversity.com/lawvid.htm
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