[Travis Robinson]

Hey now,

If you can’t afford to use a Drone, hire someone to use a drone, or hire a helicopter with a stabilize camera system, then buy stock footage. Pond5 is a good one.

Yes, you could take a cheap tour, and use your DSLR to shoot, but its going to be very bumpy since it sounds like you wanna do it on the down low.

No helicopter company is going to let you mount a gopro without a fee and insurance which will cost you way more then a drone.

[Travis Robinson]

For legal videos, Yes. Sometimes you could be hired to film a “A Day in the Life” where you follow around a person for a day from morning to nighttime to see how they live their life. Usually these are done for injuries claims, disabilities, etc.

I could not do Depos, I did one and that was one too many. Besides being boring as hell, you have to pay attention because you have to note objections, and in case a lawyer wants to take a break, etc. My old boss told me that he literally watched a pimple grow on a lawyer’s face…

Another note, do not stop recording unless the lawyer who hired you said so.

[Travis Robinson]

DSLR is a nogo if you are going into Legal Videograpy aka Depositions.

I know a few legal videographers here in Vegas and they are still using SD cameras. DVX100 and VX2000. For depos, you don’t need the latest and greatest camera.

This is what you need:

Camera that records to either tape/media that can burn a date/time in the video. Most important that it does that.

A external DVD recorder. I recommend the Sony MRC5 dvd recorder. You will go composite out of the camera into the recorder.

A small mackie mixer. Depending on the lawyer and the number of them. You not only need to mic the person doing the depo (lav) but also you may need to place two or three cardio mics around the table to pick up lawyers’ questions.

Ive seen lately that the lawyers want an audio file right away. So a audio recorder of some sort.

Laptop to make DVD copies, audio CDs, etc.

And plenty of coffee, red bulls, etc to keep you awake. These depos are long and boring.

You don’t need any lights, fancy lens, etc. Shoot it against a plain wall.

Software, eh. Not much editing out there you need to do with Depos. There are programs out there that can do search words base on words said.

Usually, they make $75.00 an hour with gear. Get in with a good lawyer firm and you can make money. Go on trips, etc. Buddy of mine goes to NYC on a monthly basis to film depos. They fly, dine, room, etc.

I used to work at a production company that does Legal video from 2000 to 2006.