Editor’s note: Tim Headington made his name in oil and his Headington Cos. has transformed Dallas’ central business district with properties such as the Joule Hotel. He’s also been a longtime movie fan and producer. Currently, Headington has two films in local theaters — the black comedy-drama Sorry, Baby by debut director Eva Victor and the supernatural thriller Together starring real-life married actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie. On HBO Max you can catch his comedy horror film Death of a Unicorn with celebs Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega. We asked Headington to tell us in his own words how he chooses the projects he champions.
Tim Headington (from left), director Martin Scorsese, Oscar-winning producer Graham King and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson stood together at The Joule in Dallas in 2008.
Carter Rose
For me, filmmaking always starts with one thing: the story. If a pitch sticks with me — if I’m still thinking about it days later — that’s a gut check I listen to. That pull of curiosity is what I trust most, even before the script or director are lined up. But that’s just the beginning.
From there, it’s all about the script — bringing the idea to life in a way that feels honest and layered. People might not realize how much time we spend getting it right — sometimes months of rewrites, workshops, and conversations, all in service of the story.
Business Briefing
And then come the directors and the cast, of course. The great ones don’t just shoot scenes — they uncover the invisible threads, the unspoken truths between characters, and the undercurrents that live between the lines. Death of a Unicorn, Together, and Sorry, Baby all had that intangible something — that strange, beautiful, or even challenging quality that grabbed me from the start. Each story felt fresh and bold, and I knew I wanted to be part of them. While I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with seasoned filmmakers over the years, there’s a unique kind of spark in working with first-time directors — and in the case of Together and Sorry, Baby, first-time writers, too. Meeting these up-and-coming creatives early on in their blossoming careers has been so rewarding.
I know most people watch movies at home now, and streaming has given films a longer runway to find their audience, which I love. But I do hope folks make the time to see these in a theater. We still make them for the big screen — and yes, for the bucket of popcorn, too.
Tim Headington