Storyboard of the script.
PATTERNS
A short film by Group one 200 Level. Basics of Screenwriting and Film Animation.
CHARACTERS
James(Ada and Chike's Father)
Sayo (Ada and Chike's Mother)
Young Ada
Young Chike
Adult Ada
Adult Chike
Femi (Ada's Husband)
Kemi (Chike’s Wife)
Chioma (Ada’s Friend)
Kunle(Chike’s Friend)
Ayo(Kunle's wife)
Counsellor
Police Officer
ACT I: THE ROOT
SCENE 1 – CHILDHOOD HOME (FLASHBACK)
Interior. Night. Loud arguing.
Sayo: I’m tired of this, James! I’m tired!
James: Then leave! Leave if you want!
Sound of a slap. Silence. Crying.
In the corner, Young Ada and Young Chike sit quietly. Ada covers her ears. Chike watches, fists clenched.
James (shouting): This is my house!
Lights fade on the children’s fearful faces.
SCENE 2 – TWO WEDDINGS (YEARS LATER)
Split stage.
Left: Ada’s beautiful wedding day. Smiles. Music. Laughter.
Right: Chike’s wedding day. Joy. Celebration.
Pastor (voiceover): Love is patient. Love is kind.
Both couples exchange vows.
Lights dim slowly
ACT II- REPETITION AND RESISTANCE
SCENE 3 – ADA’S HOME
Interior. Evening. Tension rising.
Femi: Why can’t you just listen for once?!
Ada: I was only trying to explain—
SLAP.
Silence.
Ada freezes. A tear rolls down. The sound of her parents’ old arguments echoes faintly in the background.
SCENE 4 – CHIKE’S HOME
Interior. Same evening.
Kemi: You never listen to me! You’re becoming just like—
Chike's jaw tightens. He breathes heavily.
Flash of his father raising a hand years ago.
He lifts his hand slightly… pauses…
He drops it.
Chike (calm but firm): I need a minute.
He walks away instead.
SCENE 5 – ADA & CHIOMA
Cafe setting.
Chioma: He slapped you?
Ada (defensive): He didn’t mean it. He just gets angry sometimes. My dad was worse.
Chioma: Ada, that’s not love. That’s trauma repeating itself.
Ada: Marriage isn’t perfect.
Chioma: Abuse isn’t marriage. You need to leave.
Ada looks conflicted.
SCENE 6 – CHIKE & KUNLE
Outdoor setting.
Kunle: Bro, marriage isn’t easy. Ayo and I almost broke last year.
Chike: How did you fix it?
Kunle: Counselling. Hard conversations. Choosing not to react.
Chike: nods thoughtfully.
SCENE 7 – COUNSELLING SESSION
Counsellor: Chike, what scares you most?
Chike: Becoming my father.
Counsellor: And what are you choosing instead?
Chike (firmly): To be different.
Kemi squeezes his hand.
ACT III- BREAKING POINT AND BREAKTHROUGH
SCENE 8 – ADA’S BREAKING POINT
Interior. Night.
Femi: You think you can disrespect me?!
He beats her again. Ada shields herself.
This time, she runs.
SCENE 9 – CHIKE’S HOUSE
Door bursts open. Ada, bruised, crying.
Ada: Chike…
Chike's face changes from shock to controlled anger.
Chike: Who did this?
Cut to police station.
SCENE 10 – POLICE STATION
Femi in handcuffs.
Chike stands tall beside Ada.
Officer: We’ll take it from here.
Chike puts an arm around his sister.
Chike: You’re safe now.
FINAL SCENE – THAT NIGHT
Chike and Kemi at home.
Kemi: I’m proud of you.
Chike: For what?
Kemi: You didn’t let your past define you. You protected your sister. You’re fighting for our marriage.
Chike exhales deeply.
Chike: The pattern ends with me.
Kemi rests her head on his shoulder.
FINAL SHOT
Flashback of the two children in the corner.
Fade into present-day Chike standing confidently.
Voiceover (Chike): We can’t choose where we come from…
But we can choose who we become.
Fade to black.
Text on screen:
"Patterns can be broken.”
T
