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.