Assignment Desk

Hire a US Camera Crew — All 50 US Cities

Hiring a US camera crew from outside the United States is straightforward with Assignment Desk. We supply Directors of Photography, camera operators, audio technicians, and field producers in 50 US cities. Our booking process is designed for international production companies and broadcasters: email us your shoot details, receive a same-day quote in USD, and have a confirmed crew within 24 hours. No US office required. No third-party middlemen.

How to Book a US Crew

  1. 1

    Tell Us Your Shoot Details

    Send us your shoot date, city, crew requirements, and a brief description of the production. Email or phone — whichever is easier.

  2. 2

    Get a Same-Day Quote

    We return a full quote in USD within one business day — crew types, day rates, and what equipment is included.

  3. 3

    Crew Confirmed in 24 Hours

    Once you approve the quote, we confirm the crew and send a deal memo. Your crew is locked in.

  4. 4

    Shoot

    Your US crew arrives prepared, briefed, and equipped. Our producers are available by phone throughout the day if you need anything.

  5. 5

    Single Invoice

    After the shoot, you receive one invoice covering all crew and equipment in USD. We accept wire transfer and credit card.

Crew Types & Day Rates

Director of Photography

$900–$2,400/day

Responsible for the complete visual look of the shoot — camera operation, lighting design, and exposure. Our staff DPs have 10+ years of broadcast experience shooting for major networks.

  • Camera operation
  • Lighting design
  • Basic grip
  • Camera package included

Camera Operator

$650–$1,400/day

Operates camera under the direction of a DP or producer. Ideal for multi-camera setups, B-roll teams, and ENG situations where a second camera operator is required.

  • Camera operation
  • Works alongside DP
  • Separate camera package
  • Broadcast-trained

Audio Technician

$600–$1,200/day

Records and monitors all on-set audio — boom, lav, and mixer. Essential for interview-heavy shoots, press conferences, and any content where clean dialogue is critical.

  • Boom + lav microphones
  • Sound Devices mixer
  • IFB monitoring
  • Sync audio files

Field Producer

$700–$1,500/day

Coordinates the shoot on the ground — location logistics, talent management, and shoot-day execution. For international clients, a US field producer is often the key to a smooth shoot without a travelling producer.

  • Shoot-day coordination
  • Location logistics
  • Talent management
  • Production reports

Day rates are indicative ranges. Actual rates depend on market, experience level, and shoot type. View the full rate card →

Why International Clients Choose Assignment Desk

Single Point of Contact

One producer handles everything — crew booking, equipment confirmation, shoot-day support, and invoicing. You never need to manage multiple vendors or contacts.

USD Invoicing + VAT Documentation

All invoices are in US Dollars. We provide documentation compatible with European VAT reclaim processes — EIN, itemised line items, company address — on request.

Union or Non-Union — Your Choice

We supply both IATSE union and non-union crew. Most international shoots use non-union for flexibility. We advise which is right for your specific production.

Identical Equipment Standards Across 50 Cities

Whether you shoot in New York or Nashville, the equipment package is consistent: Sony FX9 or equivalent, broadcast lenses, Sound Devices audio, professional lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to book a US camera crew?
In major markets (New York, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami), 24–48 hours is often workable. For multi-city shoots or specialised crew, we recommend 5–10 business days. Same-day bookings are possible in major markets but are not guaranteed — contact us as early as possible to secure your preferred crew.
Can we pay in GBP or EUR rather than USD?
All Assignment Desk invoices are issued in US Dollars (USD). Your finance team will need to settle in USD via international wire transfer or credit card. We can provide documentation structured for EU VAT reclaim — including our EIN/tax ID, itemised line items, and company address — on request.
Do US camera crews have PAL cameras for European broadcast delivery?
Yes. Professional broadcast cameras like the Sony FX9, ARRI AMIRA, and Blackmagic URSA are multistandard and record in 25fps or 50fps (PAL-equivalent) as well as NTSC frame rates. Confirm your delivery specification (frame rate, codec, resolution) when requesting a quote and the crew will configure accordingly.
What is IATSE and do we need union crew?
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) is the US entertainment industry union. Union crew members receive negotiated minimum rates and strict work rules. For most international documentary, news, and branded content shoots in the US, non-union crew is appropriate — you get identical quality with more scheduling flexibility and lower cost. Assignment Desk supplies both. See our union vs. non-union guide for full detail.
Does the day rate include equipment?
Equipment is typically included in the DP and camera operator day rate. A standard package covers a broadcast cinema camera (Sony FX9 or equivalent), lenses, wireless audio, LED lighting, and basic grip. Specialist or additional equipment (drones, stabilisers, specialty lenses) is quoted separately. Confirm specifics when you request a quote.
Is same-day crew availability possible?
Same-day crew is possible in our major markets — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, and a number of others. It depends on current availability, which varies. Contact us immediately for time-sensitive requests and we will do our best to confirm crew. We have fulfilled same-day bookings for breaking news and urgent production needs many times.

Book Your US Crew Today

Provide your shoot date, city, and brief. We respond within the business day with a confirmed crew and full quote.