SCRIPTS & BOOKS
empire of light
GENRE: Novel | Coming of Age - Urban Fantasy
As a young black cinematography student at Cleveland State University, Jason has got the talent but lacks the artistic integrity to become a great cameraman. So he embarks on a trip to Europe to hunt down the works of his favorite painter. Armed with a enchanted Kodak Brownie camera gifted to him by an eccentric film professor, Jason is prepared to master the art of light and shadow as depicted in the infamous baroque artwork of the original Emperor of Light known as Caravaggio.
Spanning the bright lights of Paris, the grand churches of Rome and the cutthroat alleys of Naples, Jason must overcome his inhibitions-even at the risk of life and limb-if he is to one day rule his own Empire of Light.
~ To be released Spring of 2025 ~
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AMAZON USER REVIEWS
“…As a former student of film school, I can really relate to the main character strongly. There were numerous situation in the book that really mirrored my real life experiences so it makes very entertaining and fascinating reading…”
“…A MUST READ! It was a great adventure through the world of film and art with some magic thrown in. There were lots of laughs, and some surprises that got me hooked from the beginning. It even made me look up Caravaggio's work all over again…”
“…As a theater/film/art buff myself, I feel that Mr. Earls opened up a new world for me, giving me insight into the world of light and shadows in a way that I could absorb…”
bmx 1513
GENRE: Feature Script | Fantasy Drama
LOG LINE: Based on the award-winning short film, Sax’s Final Orbit, the feature revolves around a group of art students who use the pain and suffering of a BMX flatlander to create radical works of art.
COVERAGE: SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES
“…The script’s dialogue is cutting-edge, and the writer does fantastic work with the setting. Cleveland, let alone a Cleveland art school, is a great locale for a coming-of-age story, and the writer offers us a tantalizing look at a “hive” of budding, competitive artists. Moreover, the writer’s depiction of the BMX action is superlative. Saxon’s stunts pulse with youthful energy and would be certain to please fans of extreme sports…”
OKORO
GENRE: Short Film Script| Sci-Fi Drama
LOG LINE: In this award-winning screenplay, a scientist explores the choice between benevolence and hostility as he tries to guide his artificial human toward humanity.
COVERAGE: SCREENCRAFT
“…OKORO has wonderful pacing, moving from scene to scene in a way that ensures that striking visuals and a strong command of tension and mystery propel us forward as the narrative continues. The writer displays an excellent balance of both mystery/tension and revelation, letting key questions like the why behind Okro's creation and the hinting at the possible danger of it slowly and subtly. Such subtly helps elevate and enrich the film, creating the very best kind of evocative, philosophical, and emotional science fiction in the process…”
TI AMO VESPA!
GENRE: TV / Steaming Half Hour Comedy (Single Camera)
SERIES SYNOPSIS: In this award-winning screenplay, a mischievous native Italian girl (Vespina) and a Black guy from Cleveland (Calvin) battle government bureaucracy, culture shock, and the pitfalls of a long-distance relationship for love and marriage.
PILOT EPISODE: “Ready Vespa Drive. Engage.”
PILOT SYNOPSIS: In Italy, Calvin’s elaborate engagement plans are derailed when Vespa books them on a bus tour of Milan. Meanwhile, back in his hometown of Cleveland, Calvin’s big brother has had it with him waisting money on on collectibles, so he plans to burn Calvin’s prized autographed Browns helmet in a Pittsburgh Walgreens parking lot.
empire of light
GENRE: Feature Script: Coming of Age - Urban Fantasy
LOG LINE: Based on the Gregory Earls’ novel (see below), an African American film student’s trip to Italy flips into adventure when his vintage Brownie camera magically unleashes all the sex, violence, religion, and humor depicted on the canvases of his favorite artist, Caravaggio.
COVERAGE: SANTA BARBARA INTL. SCREENPLAY AWARDS
The Moor of Chagrin Falls is an overly ambitious script brimming with exciting ideas and chaotic creativity. The screenplay traces a young man’s effort to mature into a master cinematographer by photographing the chiaroscuro paintings by master artist Caravaggio. Along the way, the screenwriter tackles racism, the exportation of American pop culture to Italy, a secret method of using light to capture memory, the art of Marvel comic books, among other topics.
“…Dani and I are in midnight snack mode, inhaling room service burgers, careful not to drip grease on our tony hotel robes. Dani spreads my sketches out atop the bed, now under her forensic examination. “You suck,” she says, her Come-to-Jesus mic is always hot. “You should thank God that I didn’t see this shit before I slept with you,” she kids. …I think.”
Excerpt from the novel, Empire of Light
“ The Death of the Virgin”
By Caravaggio
The Louvre, Paris - Paris, France
“Flaming Carrot” and “Archie” influenced sketch by Jason Schiavocampo, hero in Empire of Light novel.
© 2025 Gregory Earls | Department of Cinema & Power