Attorney uses iPhone to "video" the depo

[Lorraine Brazil @ BrazilCo]

I was wondering when this was going to happen.... attorney's paralegal forgot to schedule videographer.  Attorney decides to use his iPhone.  This is doctor depo.  Doc charges $750 an hour to testify.  Attorney sets it up leaning against a stapler in front of witness.   He says if he needs it at trial, he will use it.  I was like, oh, boy, here we go..... watch out videographers.  Hope this does not become a trend!

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Yes, let's hope for a complete failure here.  VAOFRz offer many services and I'd think that this setup will, if anything, keep real VAOFRs going strong.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Well, there will be no syncing with the transcript that way and the audio quality is probably not that good.   I'm not even sure it would be admissible in court; certified videographers are usually used.  What do I know, though. 

[mary nelson]

Actually the audio quality of an iPhone is pretty good.  I use mine for back up sometimes.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Ladies, this all the more reason to buy that cheap Gateway netbook from Walmart for $180.00.  And when an attorneys pulls that iphone out, you say, "I have a netbook that has video and audio.  It's perfect."  Then set it up before anyone has a chance to say no. 

To get a running video on that cheap netbook, you just click to open it, then click to run it.  Yeah, it's cheap and slow for Internet, but it sure packs in a lot for the price.  The battery lasts I think five hours too.

[Debbie]

great idea mary jo

[Amanda Leigh]

I would hesitate before getting geared up to take food out of the mouths of videographers.  I think I'd encourage waiting for a videog--if no go, then let him use whatever device he has available.  However, the day I start whipping out a laptop to also "videotape" is the day I make an extra hundred and fifty bucks an hour. ;-) 

[mary nelson]

Agreed, Amanda.  If you take on that responsibility, be prepared to have to monitor it, turn it off during off-the-record discussions, etc.    You're taking on some liability there.

[Amanda Leigh]

You got that right.  Seems like NCRA says wearing both hats is a no-no, too.....

[Rhonda Hall Breuwet, RDR CRR CLR]

I also don't want to use up all the computer's resources to be videoing while I'm doing RT, slowing down MY job to make sure they get a video.  I'm never going to do anything to encourage them to videotape.  I hate video depos.  But I prefer to do them here in FL because they have a higher percentage of being ordered than nonvideo deps.

[Deborah M.]

Oye, now I've heard it all.