Thursday, June 16, 2011

Litigation Media: How will they see it?

You have some evidence or an argument that will benefit from video or photos.
Picture the other side or the jury seeing it under the most advantageous conditions.

Now make sure that's how they see it.

If it's for a settlement conference, will you play it on your laptop while everyone watches? Will you project it? Will you send it ahead of time with the brochure of documents? Will it work in their equipment?
If it's for trial, is the courtroom better served with a big projection screen or a scattering of monitors, one or two for the jury, one for counsel, one up on the bench to make the judge feel special? If there's sound, how will that be played?
Will your witness talk during the video?
Do you want to play a part at a time? Pause on a particular frame and talk about it?
Is it easy to replay a particular part you may want to return to? (Never make your audience wait while you rewind.)
Are you comfortable running the A/V equipment while the jury watches? Would you rather have help? With or without help, did you rehearse? Did you rehearse again?

If the judge rules parts of it in and parts out, are you ready to play it when you want, with his edits?

More show business: What happens to the playback equipment before and after the presentation? Will you break to take it away? Leave a freeze frame on the projector while the case continues?

Q: Did you rehearse?
Mr. Defense: Asked and answered. Move on, counselor.
Q: You may answer, if you know.

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