Courtney Ware began her foray into independent filmmaking in the way many stumble into their life’s calling. “I new a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy who sent me an email about a small project that needed a production assistant,” she says.
At the time she was a freshman at the University of North Texas. So she would go to school in the mornings and then go to the set in the afternoon.
Once that project ended, the film’s crew moved on to another one, and they took Ware along. Eventually she became the production assistant on the television series Prison Break, which was filmed in Dallas.
“I grew up around the crews here, and they really helped nurture me and my career,” she says. “For me it’s very much like working with a family; there’s a certain level of trust there.”
In 2011, Ware started her production company, Aware Films, where she manages both her independent film work and small corporate projects she says help pay the bills. Her main collaborator and producing partner is Meredith Burke, who was the co-producer on Upstream Color.
“Meredith is the kind of person that can sort of fit any need,” Ware says. “We met on set for another film, and I quickly realized she had a great eye and mindset toward producing, so we produced our first short film together a few years ago and have been working together ever since.”
The duo’s first film together was Raspberry Jam, a short directed by Ware. It was selected for the 2012 Dallas International Film Festival, and it won the Jury Award at the Women in Film Dallas Chick Flicks Film Festival. It was later selected as one of 10 short films chosen from around the world to be featured in the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) Short Film Showcase in 2013.
Ware and Burke also recently finished production on Blur, a short film about a female artist who struggles to work on her latest commissioned painting.
“I’ve tasted almost every film department, but the thing I get the most joy out of is directing,” Ware says. “A lot of directors like the control, but for me there’s something really amazing when you’re finally there on set, watching these words come to life and seeing the way you pictured something in your head become a reality.
“It’s one of the most exciting things about creating the worlds that we do: getting it out of our imagination and having it exist. That was one of my main goals with Blur: to have it exist.”
Ware admits it’s difficult to balance the commercial work with what she and her fellow filmmakers refer to as passion projects. “I think that’s a struggle everyone in this industry has,” she says. “You just have to be willing to work harder and longer in order to cover both.”
To help her stay on task, Ware started a writer’s group. “I realized there were about a zillion other things I could fill my time with besides writing, and if I didn’t have other people coming to my house expecting pages from me, I wouldn’t do it,” she says.
“When I finished this last script, I was sort of surprised that it was there, because there is no way I would have otherwise sat down and finished.”
The group is geared toward female filmmakers, which enables Ware to connect with other like-minded, creative women. She says there are at least three other scripts from the writer’s group that are currently going into production or have already gone through production.
Speaking of production, Sunny in the Dark(teaser above), Ware’s feature film directorial debut, will begin production in January.
“I used to get frustrated by the whole ‘women filmmaker’ category, but if you look around, there just aren’t that many,” she says. “I quickly realized it’s a pretty big deal for females in this industry to be on the higher scales of filmmaking like producing, directing and writing.
“So I started a film writing group for women, and I’ve met some really amazing voices. ... It’s exciting because I think as women we do have a voice, and there are some great female filmmakers who are finally coming out of the trenches.”
Courtney Ware begins production on her first feature-length film, Sunny in the Dark, in January.
Photo by Ashely Rokk
Courtney Ware begins production on her first feature-length film, Sunny in the Dark, in January.
The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Dallas homes and neighborhoods sparkle and shine through the holidays, with dazzling coordinated displays, choreographed shows, and Christmas lights so merry and bright that Santa can see them from the North Pole.
Below is a roundup of the best neighborhoods and homes for a holiday-light pilgrimage in 2024. Many of them are plugging in Thanksgiving weekend; check back often, as the list will grow and grow as the season goes on.
For a longer list of marvelous Christmas lights around Dallas - including drive-thru attractions, immersive experiences, commercial displays and more, head to this story.
Neighborhoods and subdivisions with special displays
Deerfield Holiday Lights, Plano, December 1-30 The Deerfield subdivision of northwest Plano hosts a magical winter wonderland you can walk or drive through. You can even book carriage rides in advance to see dancing Santas, millions of twinkling lights, and larger-than-life displays. Deerfield is located between Preston Road and Coit Road. Check the website for maps and important information about traffic flow and parking. The free event runs 7 pm-10 pm on weekdays and 7 pm-11 pm on weekends.
Interlochen Lights, Arlington, December 14-26 The Interlochen neighborhood in northwest Arlington annually presents Interlochen Lights, more than 200 homes decked out in lights and holiday-themed displays. The event allows guests to drive through the neighborhood and pick out favorite displays while they tune into holiday music in the car. The route map is here. This year, the lights will be on from 6-11 pm December 14-26; free to drive through. Watch for updates on their website and Facebook page.
Glenbrook Christmas, Bedford, December 1-31 The Bedford neighborhood lights up nightly to tell the story of “The Night Before Christmas - In Texas That Is” - along with other festive displays. The entrance to Glenbrook is on Brookside Drive located between Cummings and Forest Ridge. The displays will be on daily, 6-10 pm. Follow the Facebook page for updates.
Regents Park Luminary Event, McKinney, December 14-15 Residents of this Stonebridge Ranch neighborhood hand fold over 2,500 paper bags each year and line the streets and central park area with luminaries for families to enjoy. Grab a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and drive or walk through streets lined with traditional luminaries and enjoy the Christmas lights that adorn the Craftsman-style homes. For updates, follow the Facebook page (highly recommended as this is a weather dependent event). Runs December 14-15 only.
Homes with over-the-top lights
Miracle on 134th Street, Celina, November 23-December 23 A Celina family has turned their massive property into a holiday amusement park, complete with over 1 million lights, a train, carousel ride, Santa's workshop, Mrs. Claus’ bakery, and much more. Tickets start at $26.99 for adults; $20.99 for kids 3-12, with season passes available and free on-site parking. It runs 5:30-9 pm through December 23. Find it at 10455 County Road 133, Celina, 75009. Follow theFacebook page for updates on special photo ops and more. Here's a preview:
Burkman Holiday Home, Frisco, starts December 1 An alumni of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, the Burkmans’ home is one of the most famous Christmas-light attractions in the area. It features nearly 115,000 lights, animatronic figures, special “character” photo nights, and more. They also collect new/unwrapped toys for the The LiyanaStrong Foundation and charitable donations for a scholarship fund. Open nightly beginning December 1, but closed the first two Mondays in December and for inclement weather. Check the Facebook page for updates.
The Movie House, Allen, November 28-January 1 This Allen family home turns into a theater, showing highlights from favorite holiday classics like Christmas Vacation, Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Love Actually, Die Hard and more - all set to music and over 10,000 lights. Guests can also snap a pic in front of a 6-foot star that makes everyone part of the action. The 15-minute show starts on the quarter hour every night from 6-11 pm and runs Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.. 1600 Wagon Wheel Dr., Allen. Preview it here:
Tell Family Lights, Keller, November 28-December 31 The family in this home near Keller Central High School is bigger and better than ever, they say. The choreographed light show features 60 songs, and visitors can now download an app on their phones to listen to the show (or tune in to FM radio in the car). Then vote on a favorite song. (Make sure to not block anyone’s driveway and be careful driving down the street, they advise.) The show runs is on 6-10 pm daily starting Thanksgiving night. Find it at 5016 Keating St., Fort Worth, 76244. Follow their website or Facebook page for more information and updates.
'The Gift of Light' display at Joules-Cornetti home, McKinney, November 28-January 1 This wonderland in McKinney has a little bit of everything: dazzling lights, inflatables, wireframe items, yard art, an entire section devoted to nativities, plus Santas and reindeer, polar bears and penguins, Disney characters, and new for this year - a Buc-cee's inflatable mascot. The "gift" is that they raise money for the American Heart Association, and the story behind their effort is very personal. The lights go on 5-11 pm Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Find it at 8624 Palermo Way, McKinney.
‘Stay in the Light’ display at Hughes Home, Rockwall, December 1-25 Homeowners Brenda and David Hughes have strung more than 100,000 lights outside their home in a festive display. They call it "Stay in the Light" in memory of their son, Nathaniel, who suffered from depression and passed away in 2019 at the age of 29. The couple is accepting donations for Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County plus blankets, socks, and toys to a local children’s hospital. The lights are on nightly, 6-10 pm. 1655 Plummer Dr., Rockwall, in The Shores neighborhood.
Wisdom Way Lights, Haltom City, November 28-January 1 The Gonzalez family's past choreographed light shows have gone viral for their Selena and Texas Rangers World Series themes. The 2024 presentation will consist of three new shows: Deadpool Wolverine, Bluey, and Wicked. They're also bringing back last year's hit Mario show. Visitors can view the shows from from their cars and listen on radio channel 89.7 FM. Wisdom Way Lights runs nightly from 6-midnight. Find it at 4521 Wisdom Way, Haltom City, and follow Wisdom Way Lights on Facebook and YouTube for show schedule and updates.
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The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Neighborhoods with pretty lights
The Park Cities The stately homes in the Park Cities neighborhoods of Dallas dress up with beautiful light displays; pick just about any street where you see houses lit top to bottom in twinkling lights, and there are bound to be a dozen more. Don’t miss Highland Park Village and its 1.5 million lights, and be sure to drive down SMU’s Bishop Boulevard, toward the fountain and back. The annual SMU Celebration of Lights takes place Sunday, December 2.
Kessler Park Historic Kessler Park features twinkling holiday lights on grand old homes and majestic trees against a backdrop of the Dallas skyline. The holiday decorations are coordinated on various traffic islands in the neighborhood each year. From downtown Dallas, go west on Interstate 30. Take the Sylvan exit, turn south on Sylvan, drive about a half a mile, and turn west on Colorado.
Elderoaks Lights, Oak Cliff A Dallas tradition more than 30 years strong, Elderoaks sees 96 percent of its homes participate in an impressive display. Located along three streets just south of the old Oak Cliff Country Club (Elderoaks Lane, Elderleaf Drive, and Elderoaks Place), the neighborhood scenes celebrate Christmas with homemade decorations that span medieval times to present day. Don't miss the streaming show of Christmas carols. There's no fee to watch, and lights go on at dusk each night.
Know of another spectacular lights display in DFW? Email stephanie@culturemap.com. Please include a website or link to social media page with your recommendation.
