Tag: christmas texas

Texas has played host to many film and television productions over the years, but there’s been one particular kind of project that’s been missing.

Lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that puts $1.5 billion in film incentives up for grabs over the next decade. Experts believe this will bring more business to Texas, including in Fort Worth, which has seen shows like “Lioness” and “Landman” film in the city over the last few years.

While its vast landscapes and varied terrain have been utilized in westerns and other fare, there have not been a lot of Christmas-themed projects made in the Lone Star state.

Here’s a look at which holiday productions have filmed in Texas, and a few ideas on how to incorporate local Texas ties into a project.

Which Christmas films and TV have been filmed or set in Texas?

There certainly have been a few productions that used Texas as a holiday backdrop.

“Angels Sing” is based on Texan Turk Pipkin’s 1999 novel, “When Angels Sing.” The 2013 film stars Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, and was filmed in Austin and Bastrop.

“Christmas with the Dead” is a zombie movie set in east Texas and was filmed in Nacogdoches. “A Dogwalker’s Christmas Tale” is a romantic story that filmed in Austin and Round Rock.

On the television side, a few of the most well-known Texas shows made holiday episodes.

“Walker, Texas Ranger” had three Christmas-themed episodes over its run, including “The Covenant” (season 4 episode 11) where Walker and his crew are tasked with tackling warring gangs on Christmas Eve. “A Ranger Christmas” (season 5 episode 13) charts Walker telling a Christmas story about a Texas Ranger from 1876.

Finally, “A Matter of Faith” (season 8 episode 12) follows criminals dressed as Santa Claus that rob armored trucks that were picking up donations from Santa bell ringers.

“Friday Night Lights” had a couple episodes set during Christmas such as “The Giving Tree” (season 3 episode 10) and “Texas Whatever” (season 5 episode 12). “Beavis and Butt-Head” had one called “Beavis and Butt-Head Do Christmas” (season 6 episode 7), which sees the pair spoof popular Christmas movies.

“King of the Hill” had numerous Christmas episodes, including “Pretty, Pretty Dresses” (season 3 episode 9), “’Twas the Nut Before Christmas” (season 5 episode 8), “The Father, the Son and J.C.” (season 6 episode 4), “Livin’ on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane” (season 8 episode 7) and “Ms. Wakefield” (season 9 episode 2).

What Christmas films or TV should be made in Texas?

First, filmmakers need to take a trip to Grapevine.

Designated by the Texas Senate in 2009 as the Christmas capital of the state, Grapevine welcomes more than 2 million visitors every year at its over 1,400 events held for more than 40 days during the holiday season.

Perhaps there’s a story there about an Ebenezer Scrooge-type that moves to Grapevine and slowly warms up to the holiday as they fall in love with a local. The production value of filming in the city during the holidays would add some extra flair.

If not Grapevine, then maybe Fort Worth, since the city has the largest live Christmas tree in the state.

A “Lord of the Rings”-style journey from the tree’s origin in Michigan to Fort Worth could be fun. At over 1,200 miles, there’s room to encounter evildoers along the way and fight the weather to deliver the tree by Christmas.

Or maybe a workplace comedy at a Buc-ees during the holiday season.

There’s so many people coming and going that there’s sure to be a few wacky personalities along the way. Think “The Office” with more brisket sandwiches and cleaner bathrooms.

Finally, Taylor Sheridan makes a good portion of his shows in the area such as “Lioness” and “Landman.”

Imagine a Christmas dinner at the Norris household, where eggnog is flowing and plates are a flying after Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton) says the wrong to Angela (Ali Larter). Or perhaps Joe (Zoe Saldaña) is shipped out on a mission close to Christmas, and she has to move heaven and Earth to get home in time.