By Bill Sammons
NCRA’s Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) certification acknowledges a recipient’s high level of skill and understanding of knowledge related to all facets of videotaping, court proceedings, and judicial procedures, and that the recipient has the ability to deliver accurate and timely finished video product. Registration is now open the Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) Production Exam being held May 2-3 at NCRA’s headquarters in Reston, Va.
For NCRA member Bill Sammons from Millsboro, Del., who has worked as a professional videographer for more than three decades, taking NCRA’s CLVS training was rigorous, challenging, but well worth his time to earn.
“I’ve been doing professional video production, mostly TV commercials and corporate work, for about 35 years. After retiring last year, I decided to use my video skills to record legal depositions. After talking to a friend who is a trial attorney, I learned that the NCRA offered training and certification, and I decided to become certified to understand the protocols and requirements involved with doing legal work,” said Sammons, who began his career as a TV broadcast journalist before starting his own company. He recently retired from a career managing The Bridge radio network and remains on the board of directors with The Bridge of Hope, Inc.
The biggest benefit of the hands-on training portion of the program was learning from experienced legal videographers and having the experience of recording a deposition with the NCRA team looking on to make sure I was doing it correctly, and to answer my questions.
“Legal video is quite different from commercial and broadcast video production, with its rules and regulations, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to provide quality video depositions and court-related video production services to the local legal community,” added Sammons who is also a multiple Telly Award winner, was named one of the Top 100 Producers in America by Producer Magazine, and is a national Communicator Award recipient.
During the production exam, candidates will run the show at a staged deposition and be graded on their ability to follow video deposition guidelines and to produce a usable, high-quality video of the deposition. Candidates must have taken the mandatory CLVS Certification Education first, which is available online through the NCRA Learning Center.
Important dates:
- Registration: March 1-April 23
- Hands-on Training: May 1 – afternoon
- Production Exam: May 2-3 – morning/afternoon slots
Candidates who attend the May dates may also register for the optional hands-on training that is held in conjunction with the production exam. This interactive session will take place Thursday afternoon, May 1.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to take this training offered prior to the Production Exam. During the Hands-on Training, CLVS candidates can participate in a mock deposition and gain valuable experience with a camera similar to the one they will use during their test.
“The biggest benefit of the hands-on training portion of the program was learning from experienced legal videographers and having the experience of recording a deposition with the NCRA team looking on to make sure I was doing it correctly, and to answer my questions,” Sammons shared.
A third step in the CLVS credentialing process is to take and pass the CLVS Written Knowledge Test (WKT). Candidates for the WKT are required to complete the mandatory CLVS Certification Education online first as questions on the exam are developed from the educational materials provided. Registration for the next WKT testing period opens March 1 for testing in April.
The CLVS Production Exam and Hands-on Training are administered twice a year, spring, and fall. The cost of the exam is $325 for NCRA members and $425 for nonmembers. The cost of the optional hands-on training is $200 for NCRA members and $300 for nonmembers. For cost and registration information for the CLVS Mandatory Certification Workshop and the CLVS WKT, visit NCRA.org/CLVS.
NCRA members who hold another credential such as the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) can earn 0.25 PDC each after passing the CLVS Written Knowledge Test and the CLVS Production Exam.
Please visit NCRA.org/CLVS for additional information. If you have any questions, email clvs@ncra.org.
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