Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) uses video to help citizens fulfill their civic dutyFebruary 2006

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) uses video to help citizens fulfill their civic duty

Each year in Washington state, approximately 150,000 people are summoned by 200 courts to serve as jurors. Since 1987, Washington's courts have used a 20-minute orientation video — that featured 50's TV celebrity, Raymond Burr — to educate potential jurors. To keep up with changing times, and to provide new and consistent educational information throughout the state, the courts needed a new video.

Enter the Department of Information Services (DIS) Video Production Services team. At the recommendation of the Superior Court of Snohomish County, AOC partnered with DIS to produce a new juror education video in January 2005.

DIS worked closely with AOC and the Superior Court of Snohomish County to develop a new concept and a new script that took the attention off the history of jury duty and placed the focus on the actual process. "This was our opportunity to change the messaging," says Rick Coplen, AOC Senior Court Analyst. "The content of the new video, titled Make a Difference, focuses on how jurors are selected, what jurors can expect to experience from trial to final deliberations, and why serving as a juror is important."

To create a realistic setting, the DIS video production team provided script updates, and staged, directed and filmed a mock trial in an actual Snohomish County courtroom. Volunteer actors played the defendant, juror and attorney roles, while a paid actor served as the judge.

After completing the filming, the DIS video production team edited the footage, added in the narration and music, designed and inserted custom graphics, and close-captioned the final 18-minute video. DIS also provided AOC with video copies in VHS and DVD formats.

"The DIS Video Production team did a great job — from start to finish," says Coplen. "We started distributing the video for free to courts statewide last summer. They are very pleased with the final product."

Professional video consulting, planning and production
"We help agencies professionally and creatively communicate their messages with video," says Les Profitt, DIS Senior Producer. From training videos and public service announcements to filming a meeting for archival purposes, video helps agencies:

• provide a consistent message to viewers.
• send key messages to a large audience.
• engage, captivate and motivate a targeted audience.
• increase viewer comprehension and retention of information.
• make the content available on demand.
• update content easily.

"We work with customers to help them determine the best video method to use," says Profitt. "We customize the production to fit their needs and budget, and meet their goals."

Plan ahead for the best results
"The AOC and Superior Court of Snohomish County knew they needed a new juror education video," says Profitt. "They started planning for it a year in advance." Here are some general timelines for an idea of the planning involved to create a video and the specific services DIS offers:

• Single camera production for documenting purposes — DIS typically completes this project the day it is taped, with one to two weeks of advance planning. If needed, DIS can also provide directing, sound reinforcement and editing services.
  
  
• Multi-camera production of a presenter or meeting — DIS usually completes this project the day it is taped, and recommends two to four weeks for pre-planning. DIS provides directing, a full video crew, and offers graphics and editing services that can include integrating your existing PowerPoint graphics into the production.
  
  
• Fully-scripted video productions — This type of project is the most complex. DIS recommends an average of 10 to 12 weeks for pre-planning and production. This service includes script writing, casting talent, professional narration, directing, a full video crew, custom graphics, music, and editing services.

"For all video productions, we can reproduce the final product as videotape, CD-ROM, DVD, or streaming media," says Profitt. "We also provide captioning, subtitling and language translations to help customers reach almost any audience."

To view examples of DIS work, check out the following video clips on the DIS TechMall.

DIS provides video production services to state and local government, tribal organizations, and qualified non-profit organizations. Working with DIS requires that customers enter into a service level agreement. First-time DIS customers will need to establish a customer service agreement (CSA). To determine if your organization has a CSA with DIS, visit the DIS Web site.

For more information about DIS Video Production Services and pricing, contact Les Profitt, DIS Senior Producer at 360-407-0612 or via e-mail at lesp@dis.wa.gov.