Business phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Illinois

How many motion picture and video production companies operate in Illinois

The Census Bureau counted 461 motion picture and video production companies in Illinois in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 512110). They employed 2,443 people in mid-March and reported $238.8 million in annual payroll. That is the 6th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Motion picture and video production companies make up 0.14% of the 322,415 business establishments in the state.

Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Illinois has 3.6 motion picture and video production companies, 29.0% below the national rate of 5.1. The average establishment has 5.3 employees against 9.1 nationally. Payroll per employee is $97,745, 13.3% above the U.S. figure of $86,308.

Where motion picture and video production companies in Illinois are concentrated

Census published video production company counts for 7 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Illinois. The largest is Chicago, IL-IN, with 425 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 4.6% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.

Team sizes at motion picture and video production companies in Illinois

85.6% of Illinois's motion picture and video production companies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 85.4% nationally. 93.9% 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.

Why the phone matters for motion picture and video production companies in Illinois

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. That holds for motion picture and video production companies in Illinois as much as anywhere.

Typical inbound and outbound calls for motion picture and video production companies in Illinois:

• A crew member calls about call times.
• A business calls about a promotional video.
• A client calls with edit notes.

Texting clients

Producers text call times and review links.

Texting from a local number in Illinois requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.

What a phone system costs a video production company in Illinois

Motion picture and video production companies in Illinois average 5.3 employees, so the comparison uses a 5-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 5 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $150.00 a month and 5 on Ooma Office Pro cost $124.75. Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 5 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.

Over a year, that is $612 less than RingCentral for a video production company in Illinois of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.

Area codes in Illinois

Illinois has 17 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.

How Callata works for motion picture and video production companies in Illinois

Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.

Porting a number you already use in Illinois 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.