Hire a Production Assistant in Chicago, IL
At a Glance
Assignment Desk provides professional production assistant services in Chicago, IL. Our production assistants come fully equipped with Walkies and earpieces, Gaffer tape and expendables, Equipment carts 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 Production Assistant Do?
A Production Assistant (PA) provides essential on-set support, handling everything from equipment loading to talent coordination and location management. They keep the production running smoothly by anticipating crew needs, managing gear, and solving logistical problems before they become delays.
Standard Equipment
Common Shoot Scenarios
- Film and TV sets
- Commercial productions
- Live events
- Multi-day shoots
- Location scouts
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
Production Assistant Crew in Chicago, IL
View all crew and services in Chicago, IL
Meet our production assistants in Chicago in our crew directory.
Production Guidelines in Chicago
Standard Day Rate: All production assistant 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 production assistant cost in Chicago, IL?
Production Assistant 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 production assistant bring to a shoot?
Our production assistant professionals in Chicago typically arrive with Walkies and earpieces, Gaffer tape and expendables, Equipment carts, Craft services supplies, Parking cones, Clipboards and paperwork. Equipment packages can be customized based on your production requirements.
See our production assistant crews in action on recent shoots. Browse Production Stories →
Book a Production Assistant in Chicago Today
Call 312-464-8600 or fill out our booking form to get started.
Hire A Crew