The Apprenticeship That Changed Cooper's Career: From PA to Staff DP in 12 Months

I am going to be honest: when I started the apprenticeship, I had never operated a cinema camera professionally. I had a film degree, some student projects, and a lot of ambition — but zero paid experience behind a real camera on a real set. I was a PA. I carried gear, ran cables, and watched DPs do the thing I wanted to do.

Twelve months later, I was a staff Director of Photography for Assignment Desk in Seattle, shooting national broadcast content with my own full kit package.

What the Apprenticeship Actually Is

Assignment Desk runs a federally accredited 12-month apprenticeship program in partnership with the Department of Labor. It is not an internship. It is not a class. It is a structured, hands-on training program where you learn by doing — on real shoots, with real clients, alongside experienced DPs who mentor you through every stage.

Month 1-3: Foundation

You start as a second camera operator or camera assistant. Your job is to learn the fundamentals: exposure, white balance, framing, audio monitoring, and — this is the big one — how to be a professional on set. Showing up early, communicating clearly, anticipating needs, and being the person everyone wants to work with.

I remember my first shoot: a corporate interview in downtown Seattle. I was terrified. The lead DP handed me the B-camera and said, "Get me some detail shots of the office while I set up the interview." My hands were shaking. The footage was... acceptable. But I learned more in that one afternoon than in any classroom.

Month 4-8: Growth

By month four, you are operating as the primary camera on simpler shoots — single-camera interviews, B-roll packages, event coverage. You have a mentor assigned who reviews your footage, critiques your lighting, and pushes you to get better. The learning curve is steep, but the growth is real.

Month 9-12: Independence

The final phase is one-man-band training: you are the DP, the audio tech, the lighting department, and the producer all at once. You learn to carry a full kit, manage client expectations, troubleshoot on the fly, and deliver broadcast-quality content independently.

When you graduate, you are not just a camera operator — you are a complete production professional who can walk onto any set in the country and deliver.

Where Apprentices Are Now

The apprenticeship has produced staff DPs now working in Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, and other markets across the country. Every single one started where I did — carrying gear and watching someone else do the job they wanted.

If that sounds like you, check our open apprenticeship positions. The next 12 months could change your career the way they changed mine.