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Curriculum Vitae of Brinson M. Harris
September, 2018
President & CEO of Virtual Television, Inc.
In General:
I specialize in covering depositions, and in 24 years no proceeding has ever started late because of me.
My reliability rate is 100% and error rate near zero, because I'm responsible for documenting court proceedings and there are no Mulligans, second takes or "we'll just fix it in post."
This is serious business and I take it seriously.
References on request.
Education:
Master of Arts, Journalism/Mass Communication
University of South Florida, Spring 2000
Bachelor of Arts, Professional & Technical Writing
University of South Florida, Fall 1991
Certifciate in Film
New York University School of Continuing Education, Fall 1995
Professional Achievements:
National Awards:
1994 Hometown Video Awards, Best Promo/PSA,
The Virtual Television Public Access Promo featuring Abraham Lincoln
1994 Hometown Video Awards, Finalist, Best Innovative Program,
Virtual Television: The Pilot
1995 Hometown Video Awards, Best Innovative Program,
Sound Bite Theatre: From The Virtual Television Archives
Local Awards:
1994 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Director,
Virtual Television: The Pilot
1995 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Editing,
Virtual Television: The Pilot
1995 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Innovative Program
Sound Bite Theatre: From The Virtual Archives
1995 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Entertainment Program,
Virtual Television: The Series
1995 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Live & Interactive Program,
Virtual Television: The Series
1997 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Editing,
Virtual Television: The Resurrection
1997 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Graphics,
Virtual Television: The Resurrection
1997 Golden Cassette Video Awards, Best Music Program,
Sister Sara Live at Hyde Park Village
1995 "Best of The Bay" Issue of The Weekly Planet,
Best Public Access Show
These awards reflect my early days as a creative type.
This is the way we do it here
Virtual Television Depositions are recorded with broadcast quality Lavalier microphones that carry the audio to a stereo audio mixer constantly monitored by me.
This is an old school Audio Technica broadcast quality lavalier cartiod microphone, the kind that clips onto the deponent's lapel or tie. They're ideal for this application since they pick up strongly sound in a heart-shaped pattern within 2 or 3 feet of them, with background noise kept to a minimum. Consumer cam-corders use omnidirectional condenser microphones, which amplify every sound, including backbround noise.
Audio from these microphones is sent to this Shure SCM268 field microphone mixer, and the deponent is always on input 2, with counsel on either side. I monitor the audio on headphones 100% of the time we're on the record, adjusting each input as needed throughout the deposition. You won't get booming questions and barely audible answers. You'll be able to hit play and adjust the volume once for the jury.
The four lavaliers of the apocalypse, which are used in every Virtual Television Deposition. I also bring spares of every item I might need so any technical issues can be dealt with quickly and the deposition can proceed.
Yes, video is half the signal.
But the other half requires more attention for depositions.
Yes. We do this too.
Raise your expectations
What you can expect and absolutely count on at
a Virtual Television, Inc. deposition or other proceeding:
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I'll be on time. If your deposition starts at 1:00 PM, I'll have arrived by 12:00 PM at the latest. I'll have set up and tested all the equipment and be ready to go well before 1:00 PM, so we can start early if all the other particpants arrive before the start time on the Notice of Deposition. Clients are not billed for set up or break down time, only for time on the record from start to conclusion.
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I'll be on task. I'll have a read-on prepared. Waived if all counsel agree.
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Time/date stamp on the video as required in most venues.
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I'll announce the time when we go off the record for any reason and when we go back on the record.
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I'll follow the action. If a deponent shifts position during a long deposition, and most do, I'll keep the shot framed correctly. If a deponent stands up while we're on the record, I'll follow and keep the deponent in frame.
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If a technical issue requires my immediate attention, I'll ask at the earliest opportunity when no other participant is speaking if we can take a brief break to resolve it, and we'll get back on the record as soon as possible.
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I'll ask if all parties are ready to start at the beginning, and every time we go back on the record after a break.
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I'll supply the Court Reporter with the audio from my mixer upon request as a courtesy.
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I'll supply the video in the client's choice of format, and MP-4 if no other format is requested. I've never had a problem with MP-4 presenting any difficulty with any client, so it's my preferred format to send the finished deposition.
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I'll send the video via a download link in an email, but will also provide it on DVD on request.
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I'll provide it promptly, usually the same day, although next day is sometimes necessary for all day depositions. The footage has to be rendered and uploaded in order for me to send it out. I do this as soon as possible so clients don't have to wait to see the deposition.
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I shoot depositions in full HD, but bump the resolution down a bit to keep file sizes more manageable, although I can and will send it full HD on request. Even on a very large screen, the resolution is still very sharp.
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I'll send you an invoice with the finished deposition. I work on the honor system. My word and my hand are my bond, and in the 30 years I've been in business, very, very rarely do I have a problem with counsel nonpayment. The legal profession has a sterling reputation in my experience. I'm a professional, and so are my clients. Only pro se litigants are handled C.O.D.
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