CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for motion picture and video production companies in Santa Maria, CA
Motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area: 33 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 33CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.4U.S. 5.1
- Rank
- 60th of 269areas by count
Motion picture and video production companies in Santa Maria, CA by the numbers
There were 33 motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production). By establishment count the area is 60th out of 269 areas with published figures for motion picture and video production companies.
Measured against its 445,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 7.4 motion picture and video production companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.1, so Santa Maria, CA is 45.4% above the national figure.
| Measure | Santa Maria, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 33 | 6,730 | 17,366 |
| Mid-March employees | 110 (high noise) | 105,364 (moderate noise) | 158,632 |
| Annual payroll | $4,601,000 | $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 | 7.4 | 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 Santa Maria, CA
Of the motion picture and video production companies in Santa Maria, CA that had employees in March 2023, 90.6% 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 | 29 | 90.6% | 85.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 3 | 9.4% | 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.
What motion picture and video production companies in Santa Maria, CA use the phone for
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.
Calls a video production company in Santa Maria, CA might handle in a typical week include:
- A business calls about a promotional video.
- A client calls with edit notes.
- The producer calls a client to plan a shoot.
Texting clients
Producers text call times and review links.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a video production company in Santa Maria, CA
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for motion picture and video production companies in Santa Maria, CA, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 9 people per establishment. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $270.00 a month and 9 on Ooma Office Pro cost $224.55. 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 Maria, 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.
Getting a local number in Santa Maria, CA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 805 has the most, with 170 of 189 exchanges (90%). A local number lets clients in Santa Maria, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 805 | 170 | Pacific | 1957 | 820 |
| 820 | 19 | Pacific | 2018 | 805 |
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 Santa Maria, 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 Maria, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 33 motion picture and video production companies in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Maria, CA use?
Area code 805 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 820. 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.