Staffing — Professional Video Production Services
Full-service crew staffing for any production
At a Glance
Assignment Desk provides professional staffing in 24+ US cities. All crew are W2 employees with full equipment packages, workers' compensation coverage, and same-day availability. Book staffing for corporate, broadcast, documentary, sports, and commercial video productions nationwide.
About This Service
Assignment Desk Staffing services provide production companies, agencies, networks, and corporate clients with fully vetted video production crew members across 25+ specialized roles. We operate a hybrid staffing model: a core team of 20+ staff Directors of Photography who are W-2 employees — apprenticeship-trained, equipped with standardized gear and vehicles, with calendars controlled by Assignment Desk for maximum booking flexibility — supported by a nationwide network of 4,200+ independent contractor (1099) crew members in every specialized role.
Our staffing model solves the biggest headaches in production crewing: inconsistent quality, no-shows, and payroll complexity. Staff crew bring the reliability and standardization of employees, while our 1099 network provides the scale and specialized talent for every role and market. We handle all administrative paperwork, invoicing, and payment processing for both classifications so you can focus on your production.
Whether you need a single camera operator for a half-day corporate interview or a 20-person crew for a multi-week production series, Assignment Desk scales to your needs across all 24 markets. Our production coordinators are available to help you build the perfect crew package for any project, any budget, and any timeline.
Equipment & Tools
Common Use Cases
Available in 24 Markets
Book staffing in any of our nationwide markets. Click a city to learn more about our local crew and services.
Austin
TX
Atlanta
GA
Boston
MA
Charlotte
NC
Charleston
SC
Chicago
IL
Cleveland
OH
Dallas
TX
Denver
CO
Detroit
MI
Houston
TX
Las Vegas
NV
Los Angeles
CA
Miami
FL
Minneapolis
MN
Nashville
TN
New York City
NY
Phoenix
AZ
Salt Lake City
UT
San Francisco
CA
Seattle
WA
St. Louis
MO
Toronto
ON
Washington
DC
Philadelphia
PA
San Diego
CA
San Antonio
TX
Jacksonville
FL
Indianapolis
IN
Columbus
OH
Fort Worth
TX
Portland
OR
Memphis
TN
Oklahoma City
OK
Baltimore
MD
Milwaukee
WI
Albuquerque
NM
Tucson
AZ
Sacramento
CA
Kansas City
MO
Pittsburgh
PA
Cincinnati
OH
Orlando
FL
Tampa
FL
Raleigh
NC
New Orleans
LA
Louisville
KY
Richmond
VA
Buffalo
NY
Hartford
CT
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Assignment Desk staffing different from a freelance marketplace?
Assignment Desk is a professional staffing company — not a freelance marketplace. Our staff Directors of Photography are W-2 employees who have completed our federally accredited apprenticeship, carry standardized gear and vehicles, and have their calendars managed by Assignment Desk for maximum availability. Beyond the DP role, our nationwide network of 4,200+ crew members are vetted 1099 independent contractors booked through our Vendor ICA. Either way, you get a single point of contact, one invoice, and full administrative support.
What crew roles can you staff?
We staff 25+ production roles including Directors of Photography, Camera Operators, Audio Technicians, Gaffers, Grips, Teleprompter Operators, Drone Operators, Production Assistants, Makeup Artists, Still Photographers, Field Producers, Video Editors, Jib Operators, Steadicam Operators, Video Engineers, Technical Directors, and more.
How quickly can you fill a crew request?
Assignment Desk can often fill same-day crew requests thanks to 20+ full-time staff DPs and a nationwide network of vetted crew in every major market. For planned productions, we recommend booking at least 48-72 hours in advance for the best crew match.
Do you handle payroll and insurance for crew?
Yes. For our staff Directors of Photography (W-2 employees), we handle payroll, tax withholding, workers' compensation, and general liability insurance. For our 1099 independent contractor crew, we handle all invoicing, payment processing, and administrative support through our Vendor ICA agreement. Either way, you receive a single invoice from Assignment Desk — we handle the complexity behind the scenes.
Can you staff crew in multiple cities for a production tour?
Absolutely. Assignment Desk specializes in nationwide production staffing. We regularly crew multi-city production tours, series shoots, and distributed content campaigns — coordinating local crew in each market while maintaining consistent quality and a single point of contact for booking.
See how our staffing teams deliver on real productions. Read Production Stories →