CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Los Angeles, CA
Motion picture and video production companies in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area: 5,706 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 17-person team.
- Establishments
- 5,706CBP 2023
- Employees
- 99,061mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 44.1U.S. 5.1
- Rank
- 1st of 269areas by count
Motion picture and video production companies in Los Angeles, CA by the numbers
There were 5,706 motion picture and video production companies in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production). They employed 99,061 people in mid-March and paid $8.8 billion in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 1st out of 269 areas with published figures for motion picture and video production companies.
Measured against its 12.9 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 44.1 motion picture and video production companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.1, so Los Angeles, CA is 764.4% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 17.4 employees, compared with 9.1 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $88,552, 2.6% above the national $86,308.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 5,706 | 6,730 | 17,366 |
| Mid-March employees | 99,061 (moderate noise) | 105,364 (moderate noise) | 158,632 |
| Annual payroll | $8,772,080,000 | $9,498,644,000 | $13,691,268,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 17.4 | 15.7 | 9.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $88,552 | $90,151 | $86,308 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 44.1 | 17.1 | 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.
Establishment size: motion picture and video production companies in Los Angeles, CA
Of the motion picture and video production companies in Los Angeles, CA that had employees in March 2023, 87.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 85.4%). 92.5% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 4,972 | 87.1% | 85.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 305 | 5.3% | 7.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 170 | 3.0% | 3.6% |
| 20–49 employees | 134 | 2.3% | 2.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 125 | 2.2% | 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 Los Angeles, CA
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 Los Angeles, CA:
- The producer calls a client to plan a shoot.
- A business calls about a promotional video.
- A location manager calls about a shoot date.
Business texting for motion picture and video production companies
Producers text call times and review links.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for motion picture and video production companies in Los Angeles, CA
The average video production company in Los Angeles, CA has 17.4 employees, so a 17-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 17 users would run $510.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $424.15 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $339.00 a month for 17 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,052 less than RingCentral for a video production company in Los Angeles, CA 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 | $339.00 | $4,068.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $323.00 | $3,876.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $391.00 | $4,692.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $424.15 | $5,089.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $459.00 | $5,508.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $510.00 | $6,120.00 |
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 Los Angeles, CA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 323 has the most, with 786 of 5,035 exchanges (16%). A local number lets clients in Los Angeles, CA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 323 | 786 | Pacific | 1998 | 213, 738 |
| 213 | 780 | Pacific | 1947 | 323, 738 |
| 714 | 777 | Pacific | 1951 | 657 |
| 626 | 722 | Pacific | 1997 | none |
| 657 | 643 | Pacific | 2008 | 714 |
| 562 | 541 | Pacific | 1997 | none |
| 949 | 454 | Pacific | 1998 | none |
| 310 | 332 | Pacific | 1991 | 424 |
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.
Setting up Callata for a video production company in Los Angeles, CA
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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 5,706 motion picture and video production companies in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area in 2023. They employed 99,061 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 17-person video production company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 17 users cost $510.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $424.15 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $339.00.
What area code should a video production company in Los Angeles, CA use?
Area code 323 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 213 and 714. 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.