SPELLS OF GREY

An Academy Nicholl Fellowship semi-finalist (top 30 out of 3813 entries that year)

Romantic Fantasy Comedy  |  PG-13

Greyson Oberon—Grey to his friends—a trained wizard, skilled swordsman, and the youngest man ever granted a Royal Charter for a quest, as the second son of King Magus, has spent his life preparing to prove himself worthy of his legendary older brother, who disappeared years ago on a mission, the one he will now take on: retrieving the Symphony Stone from a dangerous realm called New York.

Accompanied by his loyal dog Elric, Grey arrives in Manhattan expecting dragons and dark sorcery. Instead, he discovers a bewildering world where magic doesn't work, strange metal beasts roar through stone canyons, and people wield mysterious devices called 'smartphones.' When Elric inexplicably leads him to Gail Kelley—a cynical New Yorker in her late twenties stuck in an occupational rut—Grey learns his 'dog' is actually Gail's long-lost pet who somehow crossed between worlds years ago.

As Gail reluctantly helps Grey navigate subway systems, elevators, and the alien customs of modern America, something unexpected blooms between the earnest fantasy hero and the jaded realist. But Grey's quest takes a stunning turn when he discovers his brother Gilby didn't die in New York—he stayed, built a successful business empire as 'Castor,' and has no intention of returning home.

With the Symphony Stone finally in reach and family secrets unraveling, Grey must choose between the magical kingdom he's trained his whole life to serve and the messy, spell-free reality of New York where he's fallen unexpectedly in love. When his brother decides to reclaim the throne, Grey faces his most difficult choice: return home as a prince, or stay in New York with Gail and build a life in a world he's only beginning to understand.

In the end, Grey discovers that the greatest magic isn't found in spells or symphonies—it's in choosing to be brave enough to love someone from a completely different world, and wise enough to recognize that home is wherever you find it.

WHY THIS WORKS

•       High-Concept Romance: 'Enchanted' meets 'Splash' with a male fish-out-of-water lead and contemporary New York setting

•       Fresh Perspective: Flips the typical 'modern girl goes to fantasy world' trope—our hero comes here

•       Unexpected Turns: Trades three-act structure for a fast-paced five-act comedic build

•       Built-In Comedy: Endless fish-out-of-water humor as a literal knight navigates elevators, coffee shops, and subway systems

•       Emotional Depth: Family reconciliation subplot adds dramatic weight to the romantic comedy structure

•       Aspirational Message: Love requires choosing someone's whole world, not just the parts that are convenient

•       Franchise potential: Our romantic hero and heroine emerge in love and together by choice — with more adventures ahead!

TARGET AUDIENCE

Date-night audiences, fantasy fans, rom-com enthusiasts, and anyone who's ever felt caught between two worlds—literally or metaphorically. Appeals to both male and female audiences with a charming male lead and a grounded, relatable female protagonist.