CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Alabama
64 motion picture and video production companies operated in Alabama in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 64CBP 2023
- Employees
- 257mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.2U.S. 5.1
- State rank
- 32nd of 51by count
The video production company industry in Alabama
Alabama had 64 motion picture and video production companies in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production). They employed 257 people in mid-March and reported $15.6 million in annual payroll. That is the 32nd highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Motion picture and video production companies make up 0.06% of the 105,720 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Alabama has 1.2 motion picture and video production companies, 75.7% below the national rate of 5.1. The average establishment has 4.0 employees against 9.1 nationally. Payroll per employee is $60,794, 29.6% below the U.S. figure of $86,308.
| Measure | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 64 | 17,366 |
| Mid-March employees | 257 | 158,632 |
| Annual payroll | $15,624,000 | $13,691,268,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 4.0 | 9.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $60,794 | $86,308 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.2 | 5.1 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Motion picture and video production companies by metro area in Alabama
Census published video production company counts for 6 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Alabama. The largest is Birmingham, AL, with 28 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 83% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 28 | — | 2.3 |
| Huntsville, AL | 9 | 19 | 1.7 |
| Daphne, AL | 7 | — | 2.7 |
| Mobile, AL | 6 | 23 | 1.5 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 5 | 14 | 1.5 |
| Auburn, AL | 3 | — | 1.5 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at motion picture and video production companies in Alabama
90.0% of Alabama's motion picture and video production companies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 85.4% nationally. 100.0% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 54 | 90.0% | 85.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 10.0% | 7.3% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 3.6% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 2.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for motion picture and video production companies in Alabama
Video producers juggle shoots, edits and client reviews, and are often on set when calls come in. Inquiries for commercial and event work need fast follow-up.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for motion picture and video production companies in Alabama:
- The producer calls a client to plan a shoot.
- A business calls about a promotional video.
- A location manager calls about a shoot date.
Texting clients
Producers text call times and review links.
Texting from a local number in Alabama requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Phone system pricing for a 4-person video production company
Motion picture and video production companies in Alabama average 4.0 employees, so the comparison uses a 4-person team. Priced per seat, 4 users would run $120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 4 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $252 less than RingCentral for a video production company in Alabama of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Alabama
Alabama has 7 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a video production company can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256 | 786 | Central | 1998 | 938 |
| 205 | 785 | Central | 1947 | 659 |
| 334 | 784 | Central | 1995 | 483 |
| 251 | 528 | Central | 2001 | none |
| 938 | 193 | Central | 2010 | 256 |
| 659 | 177 | Central | 2019 | 205 |
| 483 | 11 | Central | 2026 | 334 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for motion picture and video production companies in Alabama
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Alabama is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many motion picture and video production companies are in Alabama?
64 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 257 people in mid-March.
Which Alabama metro area has the most motion picture and video production companies?
Birmingham, AL, with 28 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 4-person video production company?
$120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Alabama number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.