Midwest Video Production Crews
Assignment Desk provides W2-employed video production crews across 5 Midwest markets: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis. Our staff Directors of Photography come equipped with full camera, lighting, and audio packages for same-day booking and broadcast-quality results.
Midwest Crew
Meet the 5 staff Directors of Photography covering the Midwest.
Recent Production Stories from the Midwest
See our crews in action on recent shoots across Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and more.
ALCS Weekend with our Cleveland DP
Go To Crew got to cover the action of the ALCS weekend in Cleveland for MLB! Our Cleveland DP Jordan Woods was there...
St. Louis DP Covers Epic MLS Clash
October has just begun, and it has started off sizzling hot! Our St. Louis DP, Manny Frances, had the incredible...
Chicago DP Covers Hit Series “Murder by Medic”
Chicago DP, EJ Watson, is back in Michigan with First Look filming their series, Murder by Medic! Here’s what EJ...
Chicago DP Knocked it Out of the Park for Players Alliance
This week – our Chicago DP, EJ Watson, is back in Cleveland with the Player’s Alliance to honor one of the...
Cleveland DP Works with Local Medline Hospital Staff
Working with Medline at Mercy Health West Hospital in Cincinnati, OH was a great experience for our Cleveland DP,...
Cleveland Crew Captures Podcast Episode for Baseball Legend
We worked with Mookie Betts shooting On Base with Mookie Betts the morning after an MLB game in Cincinnati. Mookie was...
About the Midwest Production Market
The Midwest offers cost-effective production across some of America's most iconic cities. Chicago anchors the region as a world-class production market with a deep talent pool, professional studio infrastructure, and a production community built on decades of commercial, broadcast, and film work. From Cleveland's revitalized waterfront to Minneapolis's thriving corporate scene, the Midwest delivers broadcast-quality results at rates that stretch production budgets significantly further than coastal markets.
Assignment Desk has staff Directors of Photography spread across five Midwest metros, making it easy to staff everything from single-camera corporate interviews to multi-city production tours spanning the heartland. Detroit's automotive industry drives a constant flow of corporate and commercial video work, while St. Louis and Cleveland serve as strategic hubs for sports coverage, news gathering, and industrial production content.
The Midwest is also home to some of the country's most passionate sports fan bases, fueling year-round demand for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college athletics coverage. Major events like the NFL Draft, NCAA tournaments, and championship games frequently rotate through Midwest cities, bringing national and international production crews who rely on Assignment Desk for local support, additional camera operators, and audio technicians.
Markets in the Midwest
Assignment Desk has staff crew in 5 Midwest cities. Click any market below to see local crew, services, and booking details.
Midwest Production Highlights
- Lower production costs compared to coastal markets — 20-30% savings on average
- Major sports markets covering NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and Big Ten athletics
- Corporate heartland with Fortune 500 headquarters across automotive, insurance, and manufacturing
- Deep production talent pool in Chicago — one of America's top five production cities
- Central geography enables efficient nationwide crew deployment
Other Regions
Assignment Desk covers all of North America. Explore our other regional markets below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Midwest markets does Assignment Desk serve?
Assignment Desk has staff Directors of Photography and production crews in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. Each market has dedicated crew members with full equipment packages and deep local knowledge for efficient production logistics.
Are Midwest production costs really lower than coastal markets?
Yes. Midwest crew rates are typically 20-30% lower than comparable crew in New York City or Los Angeles, and local production expenses like parking, permits, and locations tend to cost less as well. Clients get the same broadcast-quality equipment and experienced crew at a more competitive price point.
Can you staff sports productions across the Midwest?
Sports coverage is one of our strongest areas in the Midwest. Our crew regularly works NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college athletics events in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. We can staff camera operators, audio technicians, jib operators, and full ENG crews for game coverage, sideline reporting, and athlete interviews.
Do you cover smaller Midwest cities outside your five main markets?
Yes. Our five Midwest staff crew markets serve as hubs that cover surrounding areas within a 60-90 mile radius. Chicago crew covers Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, Minneapolis crew covers the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota, and similar extended coverage applies to Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis.
Book a Crew in the Midwest Today
Call 312-464-8600 or fill out our booking form to get a custom quote.
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