Hybrid Job Guide for Legal Videographers

Expectations, best practices, and technical setup for handling hybrid (in-person + remote) jobs.

Table of Contents

• What is a Hybrid Job?
• In-Person Services and Expectations
  • In-Person Legal Videographer
  • In-Person Tech/Exhibit Assistant
• Remote Services and Expectations
  • Remote Legal Videographer
  • Remote Tech/Exhibit Assistant
• FAQs
  • What type of equipment setup do you recommend for hybrid jobs?
  • Are there any training requirements before I take a hybrid job?

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What is a Hybrid Job?

Steno defines a hybrid job as one that includes in-person and remote elements.

• For example, the deponent, their attorney, and the legal videographer are in the same physical location, while the court reporter and opposing counsel attend remotely via a remote meeting platform, such as Zoom. 

On a hybrid job, you will either be expected to appear in person at the location or join remotely via the remote videoconferencing link. Appearance details and instructions will be provided via the booking email.

Depending on the client's request, you may be booked for any or more of the following services:

• Legal Videographer (In-Person OR Fully Remote)
• Tech/Exhibit Assistant (In-Person OR Fully Remote)

In addition to the duties of a legal videographer or tech/exhibit assistant, hybrid jobs may present unique challenges:

• Ensure all remote and in-person participants can see and hear each other.
• Confirm with counsel that all expected participants are present.

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In-Person Services and Expectations

In-Person Legal Videographer

When assigned as an In-Person Legal Videographer on a hybrid job, you will be expected to do the following:

1. Arrive at the proceeding location one (1) hour before the scheduled start time unless otherwise specified in the booking email.
2. Have all camera and audio equipment ready to record the deponent's testimony at the scheduled start time.
3. Bring at least one (1) laptop to the location.  
   • We will alert you via the booking request if additional devices are needed.
4. Join the remote meeting room thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that all remote participants can see the deponent and hear all the in-person participants. 
5. Ensure that all the in-person participants can hear the remote participants and vice versa, as some remote participants may be actively engaged in the proceeding.

In-Person Tech/Exhibit Assistant

Clients may request that a technician or exhibit assistant arrive on-site to assist with equipment setup and exhibit management for remote participants.

In these instances, you will be expected to do the following: 

• Arrive at the proceeding location one (1) hour before the scheduled start time, unless otherwise specified in the booking email.
• Set up all necessary and/or requested equipment for participants.

• Join the remote meeting room thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that all remote participants can see the deponent and hear all the in-person participants.
• When booked as an exhibit assistant, upload and share exhibits with all remote participants through the Steno Connect App for Zoom. 

Exhibit Notes:

• Sometimes, the client will send us exhibits that they plan on using in advance. During those cases, we will do our best to get them to you. 
• However, most of the time, Steno does not receive the exhibits in advance. The client will most likely either:
  
  •  Pre-upload the exhibits to the Steno Connect App.
  • Send exhibits to you via email or a file-sharing/storage link (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, BOX). 
    
    • Please discuss this with the Taking Attorney when they join the room to ensure you have all the necessary files.

Equipment Notes:

• You may be sent equipment from Steno to use at the assigned proceeding.
• These equipment kits may include the following:
  • Conference speaker
  • Webcam
  • Touch-screen device(s)

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Remote Services and Expectations

Remote Legal Videographer

When assigned as a remote videographer on a hybrid job, you will be expected to do the following:

• Join the remote meeting room thirty (30) minutes before the proceeding's scheduled start time.
• Record the deponent's video feed from the remote meeting platform (e.g., Zoom).
  
  • If the remote platform is Zoom, ensure the deponent/witness remains spotlit for the entire proceeding.
• Ensure that the deponent is centered in the frame and well-lit. 

Remote Tech/Exhibit Assistant

It is uncommon to be booked as a Remote Tech/Exhibit Assistant, but it happens occasionally.

The expectations for this role are similar to those of an In-Person Tech/Exhibit Assistant.

• Join the remote meeting room thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that all remote participants can see the deponent and hear all the in-person participants.
• When booked as an exhibit assistant, upload and share exhibits with all remote participants through the Steno Connect App for Zoom.

Exhibit Notes:

• Sometimes, the client will send us exhibits that they plan on using in advance. During those cases, we will do our best to get them to you. 
• However, most of the time, Steno does not receive the exhibits in advance. The client will most likely either:
  
  •  Pre-upload the exhibits to the Steno Connect App.
  • Send exhibits to you via email or a file-sharing/storage link (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, BOX). 
    
    • Please discuss this with the Taking Attorney when they join the room to ensure you have all the necessary files.

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FAQs

What type of equipment setup do you recommend for Hybrid jobs?

We also recommend that our videographers have a laptop with them at every job in case it becomes hybrid. If the client specifically requests that the videographer bring a laptop for their use, we'll let the videographer know in advance. 

There are many variations to how a videographer might set up the hybrid component. It is acceptable for them to either set up a laptop in front of the witness and stream the witness's video feed to the Zoom meeting via a webcam OR the videographer can instead stream the camera feed to the Zoom meeting.

Are there any training requirements before I take a hybrid job?

1. If Steno sends you equipment for your job, a meeting is required to ensure that the equipment we sent works properly and that you are familiar with its setup.

   1. To learn more about what to expect when provided with equipment from Steno, please visit our 'Steno Equipment Guide for Legal Videographers' article.
2. The remote component of hybrid depositions takes place via the Steno Connect app for Zoom. To learn more about the Steno Connect App for Zoom, please visit our 'Steno Connect App Guide for Legal Videographers' article.

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Related Articles

• Steno Equipment Guide for Videographers
• Steno Legal Videography: Professional Standards & Technical Guide
• Legal Videographer FAQs