Picture-in-Picture Depositions
Picture-in-picture depositions put the witness and the exhibit in one frame, in person or remote. Exhibit handling included when you book a videographer.
or call 253-627-6401
At B&A Litigation Services, we offer professional picture-in-picture deposition services that enhance the value, clarity, and usability of video testimony. Picture-in-picture depositions combine a clear view of the witness with synchronized exhibits or questioning counsel on screen, creating a polished, courtroom-ready video record designed for effective review and presentation.
This format has become increasingly valuable in modern litigation, particularly for cases involving complex testimony, expert witnesses, or trial presentation planning. It is one of the formats our legal videography team records.
Witness and exhibit, one frame
Or questioning counsel in the second window
In person, hybrid or remote
Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams and other platforms
Exhibit handling included
Complimentary when you book a B&A videographer
Can be built afterward
From separately recorded witness and exhibit video
Part of B&A’s legal videography services
What Is a Picture-in-Picture Deposition?
A picture-in-picture deposition displays two visual elements simultaneously within the video frame. Most commonly, the witness appears in the primary window while exhibits, documents, video clips, or questioning counsel appear in a secondary window. The result is a single, integrated video that shows not only what the witness is saying, but also exactly what they are reviewing or responding to in real time.
This format provides context that traditional single-camera video cannot capture, making testimony easier to follow for later use.
Why Attorneys Choose Picture-in-Picture
Picture-in-picture depositions are particularly effective when testimony relies heavily on documents, images, or demonstrative evidence. Attorneys use the format for:
- Clear visual alignment between testimony and exhibits
- Less confusion when reviewing complex records
- More options for trial presentation and playback
- Clarity for juries and decision-makers, who see the document the witness is describing
- A professional video format suitable for playback at trial
Instead of cutting back and forth between separate views, the picture-in-picture format allows viewers to see the witness’s reactions and responses while simultaneously viewing the referenced material.
Well Suited to Expert and Trial-Preservation Testimony
This deposition format is especially well suited for:
- Expert witness depositions
- Medical, technical, or financial testimony
- Cases involving extensive document review
- Trial preservation depositions
- Matters where video testimony may be played for a jury
By capturing both the witness and the exhibits together, picture-in-picture depositions create a more complete visual record.
It Can Also Be Built After the Deposition
Picture-in-picture does not have to be captured live. If the witness video and the exhibit video were recorded separately, we can build the picture-in-picture layout afterward from those recordings.
Telling us before the deposition is still the better path, because the videographer can set the capture up correctly and you see the result on the day. But if a deposition has already happened and you now want the exhibit and the witness in one frame, contact us with the case and witness name and we will tell you what can be done with what was recorded.
Professional Capture and Coordination
B&A’s picture-in-picture depositions are handled by experienced legal videographers who understand both the technical requirements and the legal standards involved. Our team coordinates closely with court reporters, counsel, and parties to ensure that exhibits are properly displayed, transitions are smooth, and the recording remains clean and unobtrusive.
We manage camera placement, audio quality, and visual layout to ensure the final product is clear, professional, and consistent from start to finish.
When a B&A videographer is booked, exhibit handling and screen sharing are complimentary. That includes the exhibits that do not arrive as a PDF. Other agencies call us when they cannot run the setup; recently we sourced the cabling to play video off someone’s phone so it could be shown on screen and captured in the recording.
In the Room or Remote
Picture-in-picture works for in-person, hybrid and fully remote depositions. Remote participants see the exhibit as it is shared, and the recording keeps the witness and the exhibit in the same frame.
Transcript and Post-Production
A state-certified court reporter makes the written record of every Washington deposition we film, and the video can be paired with a video-synchronized transcript for review, motion practice, or trial preparation. After the deposition, B&A can coordinate post-production to prepare picture-in-picture video for trial playback, mediation, or settlement discussions.
Our videographers remain neutral throughout, and all materials are handled securely and confidentially.
Frequently asked questions
What appears in the second window of a picture-in-picture deposition?
Usually the exhibit the witness is being asked about: a document, photograph, drawing, spreadsheet or video clip. The secondary window can also show questioning counsel. Whatever is on screen in that window is what the witness is responding to, so anyone watching later sees the question, the exhibit and the answer together.
Can a picture-in-picture deposition be taken remotely?
Yes. Picture-in-picture works in person, hybrid or fully remote. When the deposition is on Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams or another platform, the videographer shares the exhibit with every participant and records the witness and the exhibit in the same frame. B&A’s own demonstration video shows picture-in-picture with remote streaming.
Is exhibit handling an added charge?
No. Exhibit handling and screen sharing are complimentary when a B&A videographer is booked. The videographer displays each exhibit for the room and the remote participants. If you also want exhibits numbered sequentially and tracked across every deposition in the case, ask for case-wide exhibit management when you book; it is complimentary too.
Can the picture-in-picture layout be added after the deposition?
Yes. If the witness video and the exhibit video were recorded separately, we can build the picture-in-picture layout afterward. Planning it before the deposition is still easier, because the videographer sets the capture up for it and you see the result on the day, but a deposition already filmed without it is not a lost cause. Send us the case and witness name and we will tell you what is possible.
Order a Picture-in-Picture Deposition
Note picture-in-picture when you schedule the deposition, and send the exhibits ahead if you have them. Need a copy of a past recording, or a layout built from one? Order video. We cover depositions statewide from our Tacoma headquarters and B&A’s Seattle office.