CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Durham, NC
Motion picture and video production companies in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area: 29 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 3-person team.
- Establishments
- 29CBP 2023
- Employees
- 83mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.7U.S. 5.1
- Rank
- 66th of 269areas by count
Motion picture and video production companies in Durham, NC by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 29 establishments classified as Motion Picture and Video Production (NAICS 512110) in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. They employed 83 people in mid-March and paid $10.1 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 66th out of 269 areas with published figures for motion picture and video production companies.
Measured against its 621,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 4.7 motion picture and video production companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.1, so Durham, NC is 8.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 2.9 employees, compared with 9.1 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $121,880, 41.2% above the national $86,308.
| Measure | Durham, NC | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 29 | 335 | 17,366 |
| Mid-March employees | 83 (moderate noise) | 2,338 | 158,632 |
| Annual payroll | $10,116,000 (moderate noise) | $212,872,000 (moderate noise) | $13,691,268,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 2.9 | 7.0 | 9.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $121,880 | $91,049 | $86,308 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.7 | 3.0 | 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.
How big motion picture and video production companies in Durham, NC are
Of the motion picture and video production companies in Durham, NC that had employees in March 2023, 89.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 85.4%). Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 26 | 89.7% | 85.4% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 7.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 3 | 10.3% | 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 Durham, NC
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 Durham, NC:
- A location manager calls about a shoot date.
- The producer calls a client to plan a shoot.
- A crew member calls about call times.
What motion picture and video production companies text about
Producers text call times and review links.
Texts sent from a local business number in Durham, NC have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for a 3-person video production company
The average video production company in Durham, NC has 2.9 employees, so a 3-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 3 users would run $90.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $74.85 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata costs $99.00 a month ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), so at this team size both per-seat plans are cheaper; Callata drops below them from 4 users.
At this team size the per-seat plans cost less than Callata's $99 base price, which already covers 5 users; Callata becomes the lower price from 4 users.
| 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 | $57.00 | $684.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $69.00 | $828.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $74.85 | $898.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $81.00 | $972.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $90.00 | $1,080.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Durham, NC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 919 has the most, with 226 of 313 exchanges (72%). A local number lets clients in Durham, NC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 919 | 226 | Eastern | 1954 | 984 |
| 984 | 73 | Eastern | 2012 | 919 |
| 336 | 13 | Eastern | 1997 | 743 |
| 743 | 1 | Eastern | 2016 | 336 |
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
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Durham, NC 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 there in Durham, NC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 29 motion picture and video production companies in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area in 2023. They employed 83 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 3-person video production company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 3 users cost $90.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $74.85 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a video production company in Durham, NC use?
Area code 919 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 984 and 336. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a video production company?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.