Behind the Visuals: The Value of Storyboarding Your Demonstratives

How does storyboarding increase an attorney’s likelihood of getting their litigation visuals admitted in trial? Furthermore, how does storyboarding help attorneys save on costs? Lead 3D Generalist Hugo Conchucos and Visual Consultant Cameron Thies shared their insight on how storyboarding paves the way to an accurate and authenticated demonstrative aid.

First, storyboards are a sequence of static images showing the content and camera angles to be used in an animation. This is the first step in the production pipeline. The attorney, their experts, the artists, and Visual Consultants share feedback and confirm that all the case’s evidence and facts are presented correctly. Conversely, demonstratives made with inaccurate data, overstated imagery, and unsupported mechanics will be deemed inadmissible. Essentially, having the subject-matter experts involved in the collaboration process authenticates and establishes that a demonstrative is fairly represents their testimony and evidence.

“It really reverts to, ‘What is the goal? What is the case regarding?'” says Cameron Thies. “What we’re ultimately looking for is the ‘Yes, that’s exactly going to be the solution to our case.' Then, on the flip side of that, we’re also looking for the ‘No, that’s not what we’re looking for.’”

Investing the time to develop storyboards has tremendous benefits. In court, if the opposition moves to get an animation thrown out and a judge asks how the demonstrative was created, “the expert can wholeheartedly say, ‘Yes, this is an accurate representation of my opinions in this case. I had a direct helping hand in drafting, storyboarding, and finalizing these presentations,'” says Cameron.

In addition, storyboarding allows the attorney to correct any misaligned information before becoming more costly to fix in the animation phase. “The biggest cost-saving component is getting things done right the first time. It’s more of a ‘measure twice and cut once’ situation with storyboards,” explains Hugo Conchucos. For example, it takes 30 images, or frames, to be digitally created for every second of animation, potentially taking hours to edit a single minute of the presentation. Without collaboration and storyboarding, attorneys risk wasting time and money to get a demonstrative that meets their objectives and supports their overall vision.

Animations and other litigation visuals are essential to illustrate a case’s minutia and evidence. They are valuable components of demand packages, at mediations, and in trials. Today, attorneys leverage demonstrative aids to outline liability and damages, maximizing case value and outcomes. However, without proper preparation — such as storyboarding — attorneys’ hard-earned demonstratives may be deemed inadmissible. Contact DK Global today for a complimentary consultation with a Visual Consultant and learn how animations can help strengthen your cases.