CLVS key terms

A legal document that states when, where, and before whom a deposition will take place; the videographer uses it to confirm scheduling, participants, and any special recording instructions.

A visit to or assessment of the recording location before the proceeding to check space, power, lighting, acoustics, and seating so camera and microphone placement can be planned.

A systematic test of camera, audio, lighting, media, and power before recording starts, confirming that every component works and that settings match the plan.

The planned position and height of the camera relative to the witness, bench, and exhibits, chosen to give a clear view without blocking participants or sightlines.

A short trial recording made before the proceeding and reviewed for image, sound, timecode, and media performance so problems are found before testimony begins.

Recording simultaneously to a second media or device so that a failure in one recorder does not destroy the only copy of the testimony.

A frame-based time reference embedded in the recording that lets anyone locate a precise moment and synchronize video with audio, transcripts, or other recordings.

The number of video frames captured each second; it must be set consistently to produce smooth motion and remain compatible with playback and editing systems.

The overall amount of light reaching the camera sensor, controlled by iris, gain, and shutter settings; correct exposure keeps faces and documents clearly visible.

An adjustable opening in the lens that controls how much light enters the camera; changing it affects both image brightness and depth of field.

Electronic amplification of the camera signal used when light is low; raising gain brightens the picture but also increases visual noise.

The range of distance in front of the camera that appears in focus; a shallow range isolates the speaker while a deep range keeps documents and room details sharp.

The composition and crop of the picture, such as a medium shot of the witness, selected to show the face, hands, and relevant surroundings clearly.

A camera fixed securely on a tripod and left stationary so the image stays stable and does not distract viewers from the testimony.

A measure in kelvin of how warm or cool a light source appears; matching the camera to the room's light keeps skin tones and exhibit colors natural.

A camera adjustment that makes white objects look neutral under the room's lighting, preventing unwanted blue or orange color casts in the recording.

A small clip-on microphone attached to a speaker's clothing that picks up the voice consistently while rejecting much of the surrounding room noise.

A flat microphone placed on a table surface that captures voices from several people seated around it, making it useful for deposition tables.

A microphone that sends audio by radio to a receiver; it requires frequency coordination, fresh batteries, and monitoring to prevent dropouts or interference.

The strength of the recorded sound as shown on meters; levels are kept in a steady range to avoid distortion when loud and inaudibility when soft.

A camera feature that constantly adjusts audio volume; it is normally switched off for legal recording because it boosts background noise during quiet moments.

Listening to the audio through headphones while recording so dropouts, hum, clipping, or other problems can be detected and corrected immediately.

A standard setup using a key light, a fill light, and a back light to illuminate the subject evenly and separate them from the background.

Unwanted reflection from windows, eyeglasses, or glossy exhibits that washes out detail; it is controlled by changing light angles or camera position.

A documented record of who handled the recordings and media at every stage, from capture through editing, delivery, and storage, proving they were not altered.

A written record of start and stop times, media used, participants, and notable events during a proceeding, used later to locate specific segments.

Aligning video with a transcript or separate audio track so that any spoken word can be found at the correct point in the recording.

Removing or obscuring confidential information, such as names, faces, or documents, from a recording before it is released to others.

A digital fingerprint calculated from a file; recalculating it later and comparing the values verifies that the recording has not been altered.

The file type and physical or digital medium specified for the final product, chosen so courts and parties can play it reliably.

Remaining neutral and unbiased, recording all testimony accurately and completely without favoring any party, coaching a witness, or influencing what is said.

Keeping recordings and details about the proceeding private and sharing them only with persons authorized by law or the parties.

A personal, financial, or professional relationship that could bias the videographer's work or judgment; it must be disclosed to the parties and avoided.

A pause when the proceeding is not being recorded; the videographer should confirm the instruction and note the pause in the log.

The policy and legal requirements for how long raw and final recordings are kept and how they are stored securely.

Professional standards that require honesty, neutrality, competence, and respect for the legal process, guiding how a legal videographer behaves and makes decisions.