CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA
Motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area: 21 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 21CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 8.0U.S. 5.1
- Rank
- 80th of 269areas by count
Motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA by the numbers
There were 21 motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production). By establishment count the area is 80th out of 269 areas with published figures for motion picture and video production companies.
Measured against its 262,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 8.0 motion picture and video production companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.1, so Santa Cruz, CA is 56.7% above the national figure.
| Measure | Santa Cruz, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 21 | 6,730 | 17,366 |
| Mid-March employees | 39 (high noise) | 105,364 (moderate noise) | 158,632 |
| Annual payroll | $2,331,000 | $9,498,644,000 | $13,691,268,000 |
| Employees per establishment | — | 15.7 | 9.1 |
| Payroll per employee | — | $90,151 | $86,308 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 8.0 | 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.
How big motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA are
Of the motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA that had employees in March 2023, 85.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 85.4%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. 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 | 18 | 85.7% | 85.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 3 | 14.3% | 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 Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA:
- The producer calls a client to plan a shoot.
- A location manager calls about a shoot date.
- 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 Santa Cruz, CA 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.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for motion picture and video production companies in Santa Cruz, CA, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 9 people per establishment. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $224.55 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $270.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $179.00 a month for 9 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,092 less than RingCentral for a video production company in Santa Cruz, 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 | $179.00 | $2,148.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $171.00 | $2,052.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $207.00 | $2,484.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $224.55 | $2,694.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $243.00 | $2,916.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
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 Santa Cruz, CA
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 831 (106 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets clients in Santa Cruz, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 831 | 106 | Pacific | 1998 | none |
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
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 Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 21 motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area in 2023.
What does a business phone system cost for a 9-person video production company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users cost $270.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $224.55 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $179.00.
What area code should a video production company in Santa Cruz, CA use?
Area code 831 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. 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.