Reporting Agency in Bay Area providing free Video to clients via the Reporter

[Denise Myers Byrd]

I am interested if anyone has heard of a reporting agency providing free video to attorneys. They don't bring in a videographer. The reporter has a camera on her laptop focused on the deponent, does the read-on and then provides the recorded deposition free to the parties in exchange for receiving the depositions of the other parties. One of my long-time clients, through one of our reporters, just informed me that he felt bad about going with this other agency but he felt like he needed to because he would receive the videography free of charge. Very frustrating and worrisome, quite frankly. If anyone has any information to share would be appreciated.

[Dean Morris]

Why in the world would any reporter who has any brains use THEIR computer as a means for videography?  Not only that, but reporter providing that for free, using reporter's equipment, knowledge, setup, etc.?  Same thing with SKYPE:  Why would any reporter provide that service FOR FREE???????????????  Are they nuts???????????

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Let's talk about a Skype dep.  I have a surcharge for a telephone dep, so I've used that line item for a Skype dep.   But now, talking about it and since I did a telephone dep today without Skype, I see that there should be a Skype surcharge plus a telephone surcharge for any lawyer appearing via telephone.  

As far as a "court reporter" doing video and then not charging for it, I'm sick to my stomach to hear this.   Awful.

[Dean Morris]

Absolutely!  If reporter is using their computer, their knowledge, their training, etc., to provide a service which, in essence, is saving the beneficiaries LOTS of money by not having to pay for videographers, airplane tickets, travel time, etc., those services should be compensated handsomely!

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

You know it, Deanna.  I've only done one Skype dep and it was flawless.  I've now added this to my rate sheet.  Good to talk about this stuff.  Great insight.  Thank you!

Denise, for a WebEx video that I think I've done (the agency sends the laptop to the location and it's like Skype or maybe it is Skype?), I surcharged for the telephone appearance only.  The agency did all the heavy lifting so that's all I'd add to my invoice.

[Denise Myers Byrd]

We have taken WebEx videos and the reporter gets a bump in pay.  It's fair because they are doing more work to get this deposition going, although I always troubleshoot the technology before the depositions take place.

 

[Dean Morris]

Marge, with the WebEx video, were you responsible for the troubleshooting, or was someone else?  Because I actually think any deposition done via any type of video should be compensated at the "video" rate.  That's if there is no reporter troubleshooting or reporter-supplied equipment/troubleshooting.  If that's involved, there should be a greater fee charged for reporter-supplied equipment/troubleshooting, etc.

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Deanna, with that WebEx (if it was that), the agency sent the laptop and I did absolutely nothing.  Had no ability to troubleshoot and had no involvement with the equipment.   Reporter-supplied equipment, yes, totally different story.  I spent hours on the computer with friends getting familiar with Skype.  R&D needs to be compensated!

[Dean Morris]

R&D, use of reporter equipment, knowledge, troubleshooting, etc.  Absolutely.

[Dean Morris]

Not all Skype and Skype-type video depositions are created equal; meaning, the reliability of connections are not created equal.   Plus, those that require the reporter to bring all the equipment, to learn the setup, the troubleshooting, etc., are added-value services, such as realtime, rough drafts, rush deliveries, etc.  They should not be given away for free.  Reporters need to respect ourselves and our work products and our profession.  Video-conferencing saves the parties much in costs, costs aggravation to reporters because the parties are not present, and deserves to be adequately compensated.

[Amanda Leigh]

Deanna, I agree with you 100%.  And even when the reporter does not have to provide the equipment, they do have to provide on-site troubleshooting and initial setup.  I guess for the job where they fly someone in with all the equipment to be there to set it up and wait right outside the door if there's a hiccup--and break down and take the extra equipment with, maybe no more pay than a regular telephonic upcharge.

We charge handsomely for web-conferencing.  The parties are saving lots of money.  I must admit at first, we didn't charge that much and we didn't pay the reporter anything extra other than a bump in page rate.  Now if they handle the equipment and setup, we show 'em the money.

[Dean Morris]

THAT IS FABULOUS, Amanda!!!  And makes complete professional, business sense.

[Denise Myers Byrd]

I think I may have figured it out with some help from my friends.  Next Gen Reporting based out of Pennsylvania with "satellite" offices in PA, Delaware, NY and Palo Alto, CA, which, of course, is an executive office space.  They provide remote depositions where a "video technician" comes in to set up the equipment (and I assume monitors) and swears in the witness while a court reporter in PA takes down the testimony.  I'm assuming they're doing that because they have had resistance from reporters, but who knows.  I suppose they could also have that same "technician" come in while a local reporter is present.

In order to get the video product, I believe they are using a WebEx type product that will record the "meeting" and then providing that video available for free.  The product is already "free" when you use WebEx.  They will synchronize the video upon request, which is probably where they stick it to the attorneys because as we all know, nothing is for free.

A few of the principals are David Noteware, a former IP attorney out of DC, Jason Primuth, former General Manager of RealLegal and VP of Sales Livenote and he led the former Business Development team at YesVideo/YesLaw, etc.  Go to nextgenreporting.com to read more.

None of these people are reporters.