Hire a US Camera Crew for Australian Broadcasters
Assignment Desk has been supplying US crews to Australian broadcasters since 1997. Staff DPs, sound recordists, gaffers and field producers in 50+ US cities โ broadcast standard, fully insured, W-2 employed. ABC News, Nine News, 7News and SBS rely on us for US shoots.
Book a CrewHow to Book a US Camera Crew
Submit Your Brief
Tell us the shoot date, city, roles needed and format (ENG, studio, live, documentary). Our online form takes under 3 minutes.
Confirmation Within 2 Hours
On US weekdays our team responds within 2 hours with crew availability โ that is late afternoon to early evening Australian Eastern Time.
Deal Memo and Crew Profiles
You receive a detailed deal memo with crew CVs, day rates in USD and payment terms. No surprises.
Shoot Day
Your crew arrives on time and fully equipped. Our staff DPs are W-2 employees โ not contractors โ so you get professional reliability every time.
Day Rates at a Glance (USD)
Director of Photography
$900โ$2,400
per day
Camera Operator
$650โ$1,400
per day
Sound Recordist
$600โ$1,200
per day
Gaffer
$550โ$1,100
per day
Grip
$500โ$900
per day
Field Producer
$700โ$1,500
per day
Labour rates only ยท USD ยท SWIFT & ACH accepted ยท IATSE union crew available on request ยท NY and LA carry a 15โ25% market premium
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a US camera crew as an Australian broadcaster?
Fill in the booking form at assignmentdesk.com/hire-a-crew with your shoot date, US city, roles needed and preferred format. We will confirm availability within 2 hours on US weekdays (late afternoon / early evening AEST/AEDT). For urgent bookings, call us directly on +1 (843) 884-6222.
What is the time difference between Australia and the US East Coast?
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10) is 15 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5). During Australian Daylight Saving Time (AEDT, UTC+11, October to April) the gap is 16 hours. Practically: if you send a booking enquiry first thing in the morning AEST, you can expect a response from us by the time you arrive at the office the following morning.
Do US crews understand Australian broadcasting standards?
Yes. Our staff camera crews are experienced in ENG for international broadcast standards. If your production has specific technical requirements โ codec, frame rate, card delivery format, audio levels for ABC or Nine delivery โ specify these at booking and we will confirm the crew's kit and workflow. Most of our staff DPs have worked with international broadcasters including Australian networks.
How far in advance should I book a crew for US sports coverage?
For major events like The Masters in Augusta or the US Open, book as early as possible โ ideally 2โ4 weeks before the tournament. Crew is allocated quickly for high-demand events and availability fills fast. For standard news and documentary shoots: 48โ72 hours minimum. Rush and same-day bookings are available in major markets (New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta) with a surcharge.
What are typical US day rates for Australian productions?
As of 2026, US day rates are: Directors of Photography $900โ$2,400, camera operators $650โ$1,400, sound recordists $600โ$1,200, gaffers $550โ$1,100. Rates are in USD. New York and Los Angeles carry a 15โ25% premium over national average rates. We accept SWIFT international wire transfer and ACH payment โ no US entity required on your end.
Ready to Book?
Fill in the brief or call us directly. We respond within 2 hours on US weekdays.