Hire a US Camera Crew for UK Broadcasters
Assignment Desk has been supplying US crews to BBC News, ITV News, Channel 4, Sky News and Reuters since 1997. Staff DPs, sound recordists, gaffers and field producers in 50+ US cities โ broadcast standard, fully insured, W-2 employed.
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 afternoon and early evening UK 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 (Spark)
$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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a US camera crew as a UK 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 (afternoon/evening UK time). For urgent bookings, ring us directly on +1 (843) 884-6222.
What are typical US crew day rates for UK 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. We accept SWIFT bank transfer and ACH payment โ no US company registration required on your end.
Do US crews work to UK broadcasting standards?
Yes. Our staff camera crews are experienced in ENG for UK broadcast standards โ frame rates, audio levels, codec and card delivery preferences. If your production has specific technical requirements (e.g. 25fps for BBC delivery), specify at booking and we will confirm the crew's kit and workflow before the shoot day.
How far in advance should I book a US crew?
Standard bookings: 48โ72 hours minimum for most US markets. Rush and same-day bookings are available in major markets (New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta) with a surcharge. For multi-city assignments or extended shoots, 1โ2 weeks lead time is strongly preferred so we can confirm crew across all locations simultaneously.
Can we get IATSE union crew for a BBC or ITV production?
Yes. If your production is covered by a union agreement that requires IATSE-affiliated crew in the United States, Assignment Desk can supply certified IATSE crew. Please specify your union requirement at enquiry stage and we will quote accordingly. Non-union crew is also available for productions that do not require union affiliation.
Do you cover the whole of the United States?
Yes. We have staff and freelance crew in 50+ US markets including New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and more. For shoots in smaller markets, we can place crew within a few hours' drive of the location.
Ready to Book?
Fill in the brief or ring us directly. We respond within 2 hours on US weekdays.