Grips/Gaffers — Professional Video Production Services
Lighting and rigging that elevate every frame
At a Glance
Assignment Desk provides professional grips/gaffers in 24+ US cities. All crew are W2 employees with full equipment packages, workers' compensation coverage, and same-day availability. Book grips/gaffers for corporate, broadcast, documentary, sports, and commercial video productions nationwide.
About This Service
Grips and Gaffers are the unsung heroes of professional video production. The Gaffer (chief lighting technician) designs and executes the lighting plan to achieve the desired mood and visual quality, while the Grip handles all rigging, camera support, and light-shaping equipment on set. Together, they transform ordinary locations into professional-looking sets with precise control over light, shadow, and visual depth.
Assignment Desk provides experienced Grips and Gaffers who arrive with their own lighting and grip equipment — from LED panels and HMI lights to C-stands, flags, silks, and diffusion frames. They work closely with the Director of Photography to bring the creative vision to life, whether the shoot is a studio interview, a product commercial, a multi-day film set, or an outdoor event.
For larger productions requiring extensive lighting rigs, Assignment Desk can coordinate additional equipment rentals and crew scaling. All of our Grips and Gaffers are W2 employees covered by workers' compensation insurance, giving productions full liability protection on set.
Equipment & Tools
Common Use Cases
Available in 24 Markets
Book grips/gaffers in any of our nationwide markets. Click a city to learn more about our local crew and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Grip and a Gaffer?
A Gaffer is the chief lighting technician who designs and places lights according to the Director of Photography's vision. A Grip handles rigging, camera support, and light-shaping equipment like flags, silks, and diffusion frames. On smaller shoots, one person may handle both roles; on larger productions, they are separate positions.
Do I need a Grip or Gaffer for my corporate interview shoot?
For simple interview setups, your Director of Photography typically handles lighting with their own kit. A dedicated Gaffer or Grip becomes valuable for multi-setup shoots, large-space lighting, product commercials, or any production requiring precise lighting control beyond a standard three-point setup.
Do your Grips and Gaffers bring their own equipment?
Yes. Our Grips and Gaffers arrive with professional lighting and grip equipment including LED panels, C-stands, flags, diffusion, and basic rigging gear. For large-scale productions requiring extensive lighting packages, we can coordinate additional rental equipment.
Can you provide a Grip and Gaffer for a multi-day shoot?
Absolutely. Assignment Desk regularly staffs Grips and Gaffers for multi-day productions, including television series, commercial campaigns, and film projects. As W2 employees, multi-day logistics and workers' compensation are handled by Assignment Desk.
What types of lighting do your Gaffers specialize in?
Our Gaffers are experienced with LED panels (ARRI SkyPanel, Litepanels), HMI daylight fixtures, tungsten instruments, Kino Flo tubes, and practicals. They handle everything from soft interview lighting to dramatic cinematic setups, green screen key lighting, and large-venue event illumination.
See how our grips/gaffers teams deliver on real productions. Read Production Stories →