Hire a Gaffer / Lighting in Chicago, IL
At a Glance
Assignment Desk provides professional gaffer / lighting services in Chicago, IL. Our gaffer / lightings come fully equipped with ARRI SkyPanel, Litepanels Astra, HMI lights and operate on standard 10-hour production days. Available for corporate, broadcast, commercial, and live event productions. Book today for immediate availability.
What Does a Gaffer / Lighting Do?
A Gaffer is the chief lighting technician on set, responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan to achieve the desired mood and visual quality. They work with a range of fixtures from LED panels to HMIs, shaping light to flatter subjects and create depth in every frame.
Standard Equipment
Common Shoot Scenarios
- Studio interviews
- Product shoots
- Commercial productions
- Film sets
- Green screen setups
Video Production in Chicago, IL
Chicago is a major national production hub with world-class studios, a deep union and non-union crew base, and iconic locations from the Magnificent Mile to the Chicago Riverwalk. Corporate, broadcast, and commercial work drive year-round demand.
Illinois offers a 30% tax credit on production spending. Chicago's Cinespace Studios, the largest independent studio complex outside Hollywood, has hosted hundreds of TV series and features. The city's strong broadcast infrastructure (NBC, ABC, WGN) supports live event and news production.
- 30% Illinois Film Tax Credit on qualifying production spending
- Cinespace Studios — largest independent studio complex outside Hollywood
- Major broadcast hub: NBC Chicago, ABC 7, WGN, and dozens of production houses
- Iconic locations: Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, Art Institute
Gaffer / Lighting Crew in Chicago, IL
View all crew and services in Chicago, IL
Meet our gaffer / lightings in Chicago in our crew directory.
Production Guidelines in Chicago
Standard Day Rate: All gaffer / lighting bookings in Chicago are based on a 10-hour production day, which includes setup, shooting, and wrap time.
Overtime: Hours beyond the standard 10-hour day are billed at time-and-a-half. We recommend building buffer time into your schedule for complex productions.
Local Radius: The local production zone covers a 30-mile radius from downtown Chicago (301 W Grand Ave #178). Locations outside this zone may include travel time and mileage charges.
Equipment: All crew arrive with their standard equipment package. Custom gear requests (specialty lenses, additional lighting, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Chicago a top production market?
Chicago combines a 30% state tax credit, massive studio infrastructure (Cinespace), a deep crew base from both union and non-union talent pools, and iconic urban locations. It's consistently a top-5 US production market by volume.
What crew roles are in highest demand in Chicago?
Camera operators, audio technicians, and gaffers are in constant demand for the city's heavy corporate, broadcast, and live event production schedules. Multi-camera crew and ENG teams are also frequently booked for Chicago's convention and sports calendar.
How much does a gaffer / lighting cost in Chicago, IL?
Gaffer / Lighting rates in Chicago vary based on project scope, equipment needs, and shoot duration. Assignment Desk offers competitive day rates on a standard 10-hour production day. Contact us at 312-464-8600 or visit our booking page for a custom quote.
What equipment does a gaffer / lighting bring to a shoot?
Our gaffer / lighting professionals in Chicago typically arrive with ARRI SkyPanel, Litepanels Astra, HMI lights, Kino Flo tubes, C-stands and flags, Diffusion and gel kits. Equipment packages can be customized based on your production requirements.
See our gaffer / lighting crews in action on recent shoots. Browse Production Stories →
Book a Gaffer / Lighting in Chicago Today
Call 312-464-8600 or fill out our booking form to get started.
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