Christmas Calling - Texas Version

Genre: Romantic Comedy/Holiday
Format: Feature Film Screenplay
Page Count: Approximately 120 pages
Rating: RECOMMEND

LOGLINE

A telecommunications engineer and an environmental biologist clash over cell tower placement in the Texas Hill Country, but their growing romance faces a crisis when miscommunication threatens both their relationship and her five-year plan during the Christmas season.

NINE-ACT SUMMARY

Act One introduces Willow at her telecommunications job in Wimberley, Texas, receiving Kurt's breakup gift - a returned dollhouse - establishing her dual nature as engineer and secret artist. She meets Ben at his Hill Country Nursery when purchasing flowers for her mother, leading to their meet-cute collision that spills soil into his coffee. Their philosophical differences about tradition versus environmental consciousness create immediate romantic tension while the failing cell tower establishes professional stakes. The Texas Hill Country setting provides a perfect backdrop for their initial clash over development versus conservation. Pages 1-25

Act Two forces Willow and Ben to collaborate when the new cell tower sinks into the creek bottom and she needs environmental approval for alternate sites. Their hiking expedition in the Hill Country Nature Preserve reveals shared values about family and community while their personal backstories - her stepmother relationship, his environmental research - create deeper connection. The city's demanding approval requirements intensify time pressure, while the Texas landscape of live oaks and native wildflowers creates romantic atmosphere. Pages 26-35

Act Three develops their warming relationship through problem-solving the tower placement while introducing family conflicts. Willow's mother Rita and Aunt Catherine's feud over Grandpa's missing sketch book parallels the romantic tension, while Ben's consulting job offer from Amber creates complications. Willow discovers the perfect tower site along a Texas Parks and Wildlife service road with Ben's help, and their partnership deepens through shared meals and meaningful conversations about Texas Hill Country conservation. Pages 36-45

Act Four escalates romantic tension when Ben creates a beautifully decorated natural live oak tree with native Texas ornaments, leading to their near-kiss moment, interrupted by Amber's phone call about the planning committee position. Willow submits her tower applications with Ben's environmental approvals while family reconciliation begins with Catherine and Rita working together on the missing sketch book. The stakes rise as Christmas approaches and multiple deadlines converge in the charming Texas town. Pages 46-55

Act Five shows the characters regrouping as Willow works overnight in the cold equipment shed while Ben brings her Texas barbecue, creating intimate moments that deepen their connection. She shares her dollhouse dreams and five-year plan while he reveals his vision for Hill Country environmental protection. Their relationship grows stronger through shared vulnerability and mutual support during the technical crisis, with the Texas winter providing atmospheric tension. Pages 56-65

Act Six introduces external threats when Willow receives the Southwest Regional job promotion offer that would require relocating, while Amber manipulates the tower approval process to create conflict. The family sketch book mystery resolves when Willow discovers Grandpa's hiding place behind the Cypress Creek Road house photo, leading to Rita and Catherine's reconciliation. Multiple pressures converge as personal and professional decisions become urgent with Christmas Day approaching. Pages 66-75

Act Seven creates the major misunderstanding when the city approves the environmentally sensitive wildflower meadow site despite Ben's recommendations, making Willow believe he sabotaged her project for Amber's benefit. Simultaneously, he learns about her promotion offer and job decision. Their relationship fractures just as the Christmas Craft Festival approaches, and both feel betrayed by perceived deceptions while family harmony ironically improves in the Texas Hill Country setting. Pages 76-85

Act Eight brings reconciliation when Ben explains Amber's manipulation of the approval process and reveals his own conflicted feelings about the consulting position. Willow clarifies that she rejected the promotion to stay in Wimberley and build the dollhouse business with her family. Their honest communication resolves the misunderstanding while they work together preparing for the craft festival, rebuilding trust through shared goals and family support in the heart of Texas. Pages 86-97

Act Nine delivers the happy ending at the Christmas Craft Festival where the family wins multiple awards for their dollhouse business, validating their collaborative vision. Ben proposes with a ring featuring emeralds symbolizing growth and new beginnings, surrounded by their Hill Country community and family. The epilogue six months later shows their transformed business thriving, wedding plans underway, and their sustainable partnership in both love and work creating the perfect foundation for their future in the Texas Hill Country. Pages 98-120

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Willow Washke (30s) serves as the driven telecommunications engineer protagonist who must balance career ambitions with family loyalty and unexpected romance. She's methodical, passionate about connecting people through technology, and harbors secret dreams of opening a dollhouse business. Her character arc involves learning to embrace spontaneity and Hill Country community over rigid planning. This role would suit actresses like Lacey Chabert, who excels at playing intelligent, career-focused women with hidden vulnerabilities, or Nikki DeLoach, who brings warmth and relatability to ambitious professional characters.

Ben Franklin (34) is the ruggedly handsome environmental biologist and Hill Country Nursery owner who becomes Willow's love interest and professional collaborator. He's passionate about protecting Texas native ecosystems, has complicated family relationships regarding his stepmother, and values sustainability over profit. His character represents the tension between environmental consciousness and economic development in rapidly growing Texas communities. This role would be perfect for Ryan Paevey, who brings both intellectual depth and outdoorsy appeal, or Andrew Walker, who excels at playing principled men with strong convictions and gentle humor.

Rita Washke (56) is Willow's beloved stepmother who raised her from age four and owns the struggling furniture business in Wimberley. She's warm, nurturing, and represents traditional Texas family values while embracing new family structures. Her relationship with Willow demonstrates that love, not biology, creates family bonds. This maternal role would suit Wendie Malick, who brings elegance and emotional depth to mother figures, or Catherine Bell, who excels at playing strong, supportive family matriarchs with Texas charm.

Jenny Washke (20s) is Willow's artistic younger sister who's secretly transferring to Texas State University to pursue industrial design and join the family dollhouse business. She represents the new generation blending technology with traditional Hill Country crafts. Her character adds youthful energy and sibling dynamics to the family story while showcasing Texas innovation. This role would work well for Bailee Madison, who brings intelligence and spunk to younger sister roles, or Mallory Jansen, who can portray artistic creativity with business acumen.

Catherine Washke (52) is Rita's sister and business partner who handles the financial side of the furniture store. The sketch book misunderstanding creates temporary family conflict that parallels the romantic misunderstanding. Her reconciliation with Rita reinforces themes about family forgiveness and partnership in the close-knit Texas community. This role would suit Sarah Strange, who excels at playing complex family members with hidden depths, or Gina Holden, who brings sophistication to businesswoman characters.

Amber (30s) serves as the antagonist real estate agent and Wimberley city council member who pursues Ben while manipulating the cell tower approval process for personal gain. She represents rapid Hill Country development and corporate interests opposing community needs. Her character embodies the tension between preserving Texas small-town values and aggressive growth. This role would work for Jessica Lowndes, who can play glamorous antagonists with underlying insecurity, or Cindy Busby in a rare villainous turn, using her natural charm for manipulative purposes.

SELLING POINTS

• Authentic Texas Hill Country Setting - Wimberley provides a genuine small-town Texas atmosphere with its charming downtown square, Cypress Creek, and rolling hills covered in live oaks and wildflowers, offering viewers an authentic taste of Hill Country charm

• Fresh Professional Angle - Telecommunications engineering provides unique technical stakes rarely seen in Hallmark films, with Christmas Day call volume creating genuine urgency for military families and long-distance relationships across Texas

• Multi-Generational Texas Family Business - Four generations of Hill Country furniture craftsmanship anchor the emotional core, offering rich backstory and authentic small-business struggles that resonate with audiences who value Texas heritage and family traditions

• Environmental Consciousness with Texas Flair - Timely themes around sustainable development and protecting native Texas ecosystems (bluebonnets, live oaks, wildflower meadows) appeal to environmentally aware viewers while creating meaningful conflict between preservation and progress

• Artisan Craft Appeal - Dollhouse miniatures and handcrafted furniture tap into the popular maker movement, Pinterest culture, and viewers' appreciation for traditional Texas craftsmanship and Hill Country artisan communities

• Authentic Christmas Integration - Holiday elements are woven into plot mechanics (phone call traffic, craft festival, family traditions) rather than surface decoration, creating genuine seasonal relevance enhanced by Texas winter atmosphere

• Strong Supporting Cast - Well-developed ensemble including Rita (beloved stepmother), Jenny (ambitious sister), Catherine (estranged aunt), and Tyler (loyal employee) provides multiple relationship dynamics and comic relief with authentic Texas personalities

• Hill Country Tourism Appeal - The Wimberley setting showcases Texas Hill Country attractions, potentially boosting tourism to the area while celebrating the region's natural beauty and small-town charm

• Technology vs. Nature Balance - The central conflict between telecommunications advancement and environmental protection reflects real issues facing rapidly growing Texas communities, making the story both timely and relevant

• Family Business Dynamics - The multi-generational furniture business and emerging dollhouse venture capture the entrepreneurial spirit of Texas small businesses while honoring traditional craftsmanship

TEXAS-SPECIFIC ELEMENTS

• Authentic Regional Details - Live oak trees, Texas bluebonnets, limestone formations, and Hill Country topography create genuine Texas atmosphere throughout

• Cultural References - Texas State University, Austin/San Antonio metropolitan influences, and Hill Country tourism provide authentic local color

• Environmental Themes - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department involvement, native plant conservation, and sustainable development issues reflect real Hill Country concerns

• Weather Patterns - Texas winter weather (cool fronts, occasional rain) replaces Pacific Northwest snow, maintaining seasonal atmosphere while being regionally appropriate

• Local Business Culture - Hill Country artisan communities, local craft festivals, and small-town economic development reflect authentic Texas small-business environment

• Geographic Authenticity - Ranch Road 12, Cypress Creek, and other Wimberley-area landmarks provide genuine local setting without requiring location changes

GRAMMAR AND USAGE NOTES

No significant grammar or usage errors were identified in the screenplay. The dialogue feels natural and character-appropriate, with technical terminology properly contextualized for general audiences. The action lines are clear and cinematically written, supporting the visual storytelling essential for the Hallmark format. Regional Texas elements are incorporated naturally without feeling forced or stereotypical.

RECOMMENDATION

STRONG RECOMMEND - This Texas Hill Country adaptation successfully relocates the original story while maintaining all its emotional core and romantic appeal. The Wimberley setting provides authentic small-town charm with genuine environmental stakes. The telecommunications/environmental biology conflict works perfectly within Texas's rapid growth context. The family business dynamics, artisan craft elements, and multi-generational relationships create rich storytelling opportunities. The script delivers classic Hallmark romance with fresh professional stakes and authentic regional flavor that should appeal strongly to Texas audiences while maintaining broad national appeal.

Target Audience: Primary demographic of women 25-54 with particular appeal to Texas viewers, environmental consciousness supporters, small business owners, and craft/artisan enthusiasts. The telecommunications professional angle broadens appeal to working women in technical fields.

Production Notes: The Wimberley, Texas location offers excellent filming opportunities with its preserved downtown area, Hill Country landscape, and proximity to Austin production resources. The native plant/wildflower elements provide beautiful natural backdrops for romantic scenes while supporting the environmental themes central to the story.

This coverage was generated by Claude AI, an advanced language model created by Anthropic. Claude AI provides comprehensive script analysis, character development insights, and industry-standard coverage services. For professional screenplay coverage and development consultation, Claude AI offers detailed structural analysis, marketability assessment, and targeted revision suggestions. Pricing varies based on project scope and turnaround requirements. Contact Anthropic for enterprise solutions and creative industry partnerships.