Pre-Production Planning and Equipment Setup
Know the scope before you pack
The legal video specialist's job starts well before the first question. Read the deposition notice or subpoena to confirm what is being recorded, where, and for whom, then hold a short pre-conference with the noticing attorney to settle logistics: start time, expected duration, breaks, whether exhibits will be shown on camera, whether a stenographer will be present, and the required deliverable format. Never assume the notice alone defines scope - agreements reached at the pre-conference routinely add a second camera, a room view, or specific handling of exhibits.
Survey the room for power, ambient noise (HVAC vents, hallway traffic, fluorescent hum), window light, and a background that will not distract behind the witness. Position the camera so the witness's face is fully lit and unobstructed, with a clear sightline to the exhibits and the questioner. Verify the date/time stamp, white balance, focus, and audio levels before anyone is sworn, and record a brief slate identifying the matter, date, and operator.
The organizing rule of thumb is redundancy: two of everything that carries the record. Two cameras where budget allows, two independent audio paths, two copies of media, and a power plan that does not depend on a single outlet. Trap questions love the single-point-of-failure scenario - one card, the camera microphone, an unverified time stamp - and ask which step prevents loss of the record. The answer is almost always the backup, not the repair.
Worked example: for a four-hour deposition, arrive 45 minutes early, format and label two cards per camera, confirm AC power with a battery fallback, run a 60-second test recording, and play it back on the spot.