A selection of screenplay writing spanning half-hour comedy, one-hour drama, and children's animation. Click a sample to open it.
A woman's daydreaming gets her into trouble in a gym locker room.
ON a tight rounded butt in sexy yoga pants walking ahead of us.
Lillian (V.O.)
Mh, would you look at that thing!
The bubbly butt sways from side to side in a motion that can only be described as, pure tantalizing slow motion.
Audrey (O.S.)
Oh, and you'd better have a padlock because we don't provide any...
Lillian (V.O.)
This gym had better sculpt me a booty like that.
LILLIAN KAMIKAZE, 20s and the transfixed observer of the butt, hardly hears a word as she's led through the hallway filled with posters featuring motivational quotes and shredded bodies.
Lillian (V.O.)
It's so young. So full of life. So... audacious.
Just then the butt stops and a rap track PLAYS.
Disco lights flash throughout the hallway. Lillian, donned in a cap, gold chains and exuding gangster confidence, steps up to CAMERA.
Lillian (raps)
Yeah, jiggle, wiggle and shake that thing.
The butt dips and starts to bounce.
Lillian (CONT'D)
Media says to be perfect I need a really small waist and a big old booty, but if you ask me that's just stupid fruity, I wish I had the confidence to just do me, instead here I am stuck trying to be who they want me to be! That's right, I'm doing it for the haters, my ex. It's sad but true, trying to show them what they're missing out on and what they can't pursue. So I'll play their game, but think twice, it's not for them, it's really for my own gain! Aw, girl now shake it like a salt shaker....
The butt jiggles, booty-pops and twerks as more perfectly perky booties join in and shake, jiggle, and booty pop.
Lillian (CONT'D)
I said, shake it like a salt shaker. Shake it like a salt shaker. Girl work that a...
Audrey (O.S.)
Excuse me?!
Lillian snaps out of her reverie to see the butt's owner AUDREY UWINEZA, smoking hot, early 20s, staring back hard. It's only then that Lillian realizes that they are in the women's changing room.
Audrey (CONT'D)
Were you just...?
Audrey stares down.
Lillian (V.O.)
Oh crap. Did I say anything out loud?
Lillian follows Audrey's gaze to see her hand stretched out to Audrey's butt. Panic washes over.
Lillian
I'm sorry. Look I just want your butt!
Audrey's face wrings to pure mortification.
Lillian (V.O.)
What the? Now she thinks I'm a—
Lillian
What I mean is... do you do squats or something?
Audrey
Whatever. That's the tour. Creep.
Audrey heads out. The door slams shut. Lillian turns back to the room filled with WOMEN all mid dress. They instantly cover up, wary of her.
Lillian (V.O.)
Just great. Perfect way to make friends.
A radio host's morning gets very publicly derailed.
Ciku's attention is captured by the soothing voice emanating from the car stereo where the British woman's voice fills the vehicle.
British Woman (V.O.)
Repeat after me. I am capable, confident and important.
Ciku (tentative)
I am capable, confident and important.
British Woman (V.O.)
Repeat it, knowing that you have boundless power to conquer any challenge that comes your way.
Ciku takes a deep breath, summoning all her inner strength.
Ciku
I am capable, confident and important.
British Woman (V.O.)
Again.
Ciku (with conviction)
I am CAPABLE, CONFIDENT and ridiculously vital to this station's survival! It's high time you let me back on my morning show!
Ciku feels a surge of relief and empowered. Ahead a traffic light turns green and she begins to move when something abruptly catches her eye.
Ciku (CONT'D)
What in the actual...?
She slams the brakes as her excitement fades into confusion staring at...
A group of workers replace CIKU'S former billboard with a new one featuring: Maureen, front and center as the new breakfast host of "MORNINGS WITH MAUREEN ON NEXT FM." Maureen bites her lip seductively, exuding confidence, almost taunting Ciku with her gaze. Bold letters below read: "Your Mornings will Never Be The Same Again!"
Ciku's emotions boil over as she SNAPS—
Ciku (screaming)
FUUUUC—!
Ciku bursts in, masking her rage beneath a professional facade. Receptionist SAMANTHA, 20's, shoots to her feet, genuinely surprised.
Samantha
Ciku! I thought bado uko leave?!
Ciku
Funny, that's what I thought too. Listen, is Beatrice from HR in?
Samantha
Uh, she's in a meeting. Mlikuwa mme ongea?
Ciku
Know what, nitamngoja tu kwa ofisi yake. Relax Sam, I know my way around...
Ciku approaches the office but Samantha apprehensively blocks her path. Ciku tries to navigate around Samantha but gets intercepted again. They engage in an elaborate step routine trying to outmaneuver the other.
Samantha
Ah, so kuna system mpya lazima ukue na clearance.
Ciku stops, stunned.
Ciku
What? Since when? (off her reaction) I work here?!
Just then Maureen's laughter erupts from the speakers above their heads, followed by Kassim's voice.
Kassim (V.O.)
And that's the nature of my work. I make people laugh.
Ciku (surprised)
Is that...?
Samantha stares back apologetically.
Maureen (V.O.) (interrupting)
Even if it comes at the cost of ruining your relationship?
Ciku
Hell no!
Ciku makes a beeline straight for the studio — bursting in on Kassim mid-interview, right as Maureen turns the mic on the story Ciku least wants live.
Word of the on-air blow-up reaches the executive floor fast. Kwame tries to defend Ciku's numbers to a distracted Chairman, CFO and Beatrice — until Ciku's own voice, still hot, booms out of the speakers naming names she shouldn't.
Ciku (V.O.)
You've slept with the Chairman, the CFO... just who haven't you slept with, the janitor?!
The Chairman and the CFO freeze, shocked to hear their names mentioned live. Beatrice checks her phone.
Beatrice (grim)
Dear lord! It's already on social media. Maureen's streaming it live.
The two men blast out of the room.
Kwame cuts the stream and pulls Ciku aside as security arrives. She's escorted out past the Chairman himself.
Chairman
Do you understand the severity of your actions? You've put this entire radio station in jeopardy with your reckless actions.
Ciku
Chairman, I'm—
Chairman
Fired.
The words hit her like a sledgehammer. Ciku's heart sinks as the Chairman walks away. Ciku is led out and...
...gets dumped out on the street. Ciku turns back to stare at everything she's poured into the last seven years, now all gone.
A youth football team's shot at a scout runs headlong into the world they're trying to leave behind.
Football boots scramble for a ball in the agile care of Dimore. He makes a show of his prowess as he advances towards a goal.
Ade
I'm in the clear, pass the ball!
Out of nowhere Dayo intercepts Dimore's lead and with one powerful bicycle kick sends the ball ripping through the air, straight into the goal. Junior, Dayo, Chira and their teammates SCREAM in cheer.
Coach BIKI's whistle blows. The 8 v 8 players advance towards him.
Biki
Good practice boys... your performance today is tops, and I'm sure it feels good to finally play in football boots instead of those tattered slippers you used to, ey?
Chira
Feels like we're professionals now!
Biki (CONT'D)
One more thing. Jonte... he didn't turn up for practice. Anyone heard from him?
Just then a gun BLASTS. Everyone takes cover. Another gunshot fires.
Biki
Get down! Get down now!
SHOUTS and CRIES erupt. It's full pandemonium as pedestrians run for their lives. As the road clears, a GLOCK 17 comes into view along with its bearer, DETECTIVE MUSA OMBACHI, battle-worn face, 40's. He calmly walks through shanties and alleyways, hot on the heels of Jonte — sweaty, sighing, scared shitless.
Dimore
Sounds like the shooting's stopped.
Biki
Shh...
Coach Biki spots Jonte fast approaching from beyond the field, tears in his eyes, and rushes to meet him.
Biki (CONT'D)
Jonte...? Jonte, what's wro—
BLAST. A bullet rings through the air and a geyser of blood shoots from Jonte's forehead. He collapses, lifeless. Horror registers on Coach Biki's face. He screams, knees crushing against gravel as he watches Jonte's body soak into a pool of his own blood.
A pair of polished black shoes step up beside Jonte. Biki looks up to see Musa towering above.
Biki
Please! Please! Don't shoot! Don't shoot my boys, we're just footballers...
Behind Coach Biki, Junior, Chira, Dayo, Ade and Dimore all stare back, petrified. Musa flips Jonte's body over with one foot.
Musa
Told you to get out of town!
THUD. He kicks Jonte's body. Coach Biki stares back bewildered — a thought occurs to him. He pulls out his phone and presses record.
Dimore, Chira, Ade and Dayo talk on the way home. Junior's a few feet ahead, quiet and withdrawn.
Dimore
I don't think I'm going to forget the way that bullet tore through his skull.
Junior snaps, steps up to Dimore, confrontational.
Junior
What the hell's wrong with you? Show some respect. Your friend just died!
Dimore
What's your problem eh, Jonte wasn't a friend, we just worked together.
Ade
You mean you played together.
Chira
You guys need to stop bugging out. Life's about survival, and if that's how Jonte decided to make his ends meet, well... I guess God made him meet his end too, right?!
Dimore and Chira share a chuckle and dab.
Junior
I'll see you guys later.
Junior tears across the street.
Dimore
Seriously, what's his problem?
Dayo
You two need to give it a rest. We all just witnessed something horrific. Everyone deals with grief different.
Two curious kids follow a strange sound into the forbidden forest — and find a mosquito boy band.
Jabali and Sauti walk down a near-deserted street eating chili-mangoes. All around, shops are closed, adorned in dry herbs: thyme, bay leaves, sage, rosemary and more.
Jabali
I can't believe there's nothing to do in Tisa today.
Sauti
That's because everyone's home relaxing from the Day of Harvest festivities.
Sauti stops to listen.
Sauti (CONT'D)
Did you hear that?
Jabali
For the hundredth time Sauti, no. Now we need to find something fun to do. Go on a new adventure or solve a myster—
Sauti
I'm telling you there's a mysterious sound in the air...
Sauti turns to a WHINING sound emerging from behind.
Sauti (CONT'D)
...There it is!
Jabali turns to see a GINORMOUS fluid-like SHADOW casting over them. The closer it gets, the more intense the whining, so much so that the kids slam shut their ears.
Jabali
That sound, it's...
Sauti
Terrible!
Above in the sky, a huge swarm of mosquitoes forms the shape of the episode title: "The Mystery of the Mosquito Invasion." The mosquitoes make another shape — a bow and arrow. The arrow draws back and in no time, they're all gone.
Jabali
What was that?!
Sauti
I don't know but let's go ask Bibi!
The kids run off.
Sauti and Jabali run into the compound to find Bibi chewing sugarcane by a large harvest of maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, cane and more, all in colorful sacks and baskets.
Jabali
Bibi, did you see a huge swarm of mosquitoes flying by?
Sauti
They were so many you must have at least heard them whining?
Bibi
Ah?! I think you kids have had too much excitement the last few days. (offering a plate) Sugarcane...? Ooops!
Just then Bibi "accidentally" drops a piece of sugarcane. It collapses on the ground where a few ants are gathered, harvesting Bibi's sugarcane leftovers into their own sacks. ZOOM INTO Jabali's squinted eyes — he notices the ants all raise their antennae, drop the rest of the harvest, and begin dancing out toward one direction.
Jabali
Do you see that? The ants are also behaving funny!
Bibi and Sauti look down to the ants dance-marching.
Sauti
It's like they're dancing to the beat. Can you hear that?
Sauti starts to dance.
Bibi
Not really, but I suppose you two now have a mystery to solve today?
The kids beam with excitement as they tear out of there.
Sauti
We'll be back before evening!
Jabali
Thanks Bibi!
Bibi chuckles to herself, picking another piece of sugarcane.
A lizard slithers down a coconut tree, marching to the beat. Beside it, a spider lowers its web to the beat, joining other insects and creatures marching towards a deep, dark wood. Jabali and Sauti follow closely behind, walking past a HUGE acacia tree. It suddenly glows with hollowed eyes and a frowned-up face for just a second, revealing Zuizi's face.
Jabali
Where could they all be going?
They stop at a wooden sign post.
Sauti (reads)
"Warning! Do not go beyond this point. Forbidden forest ahead!" Uh, Jabali, I don't think we're supposed to go in there—
Jabali
What do you mean? Come on, don't you want to solve this mystery?
Jabali walks past the sign post, then stops to offer his hand to Sauti. She hesitates.
Sauti
Not really... but I do want to find out where that music is coming from.
Jabali smiles as they enter... BLACK SCREEN. It's silent for some moments, then a group of fireflies fly on by. The SOUND OF CHIMES follows them. Jabali and Sauti's voices come up in GIGGLES as a luminescent green strobe of light flashes, then yellow, red, blue...
Jabali and Sauti materialize, giggling, as with every step they take the leaves and bushes of nearby trees glow in different luminescent colors. This is the forbidden forest, alive with mystical creatures and perplexing patterns. Sauti brushes her hand against vines and they glow in different patterns.
Sauti
This is so beautiful!
Jabali (gasps)
Look! There they are!
Jabali and Sauti approach a multicolored grass thicket. They bend down and pull back the grass to REVEAL a brightly, fairy-lit...
A banner above the stage reads: "THE HARVEST FESTIVAL." On stage, a beetle boy band, a.k.a. "The Real Beetles," rock and roll, playing on stamen flutes, jacaranda seed-pod shakers and bougainvillea bracts. Across, the audience — all manner of insects and woodland creatures — rave, dance and cheer.
Butterfly Emcee (V.O.)
Give it up for the Real Beetle Band! And now the moment you've all been waiting for — give it up foooooorrr... the larva to Musicquito Boy Band!
Mosquito girl fans cheer and gush as a quartet mosquito boy band gets on stage and begins whining and swooning all the fans away. It's truly an impressive sight as the creatures clap, hum, dance and sing along. Sauti and Jabali quietly giggle.
Jabali
Come on, let's go tell Bibi.
Jabali and Sauti bounce in to find Bibi knitting away.
Sauti
Bibi, why didn't you tell us that Tisa has a mosquito boy band?
Bibi
Oh? So your adventures took you into the forbidden forest today?
They're caught. Bibi chuckles to herself.
Bibi (CONT'D)
One day you'll come to fully learn the ways of Tisa, but till then, you need to be safe, okay?
They share a smile as the fire crackles.
A baby chameleon goes missing after a storm — and his parents learn he was never really lost.
On a black, silent screen, white titles fade in: "WHERE'S RANGI." Titles fade out.
Animation 1:
The full moon glows in the skies above. But ever so rapidly, clouds patch over it until the night is filled with a gloomy, stark darkness. We HEAR the SOUND of the HOWLING wind and suddenly, a FLASH of lightning strikes across the screen. A BOOM of thunder follows, and one by one, raindrops swish across the screen.
Mabuki (V.O.)
It happened one night, as the wind blew and the clouds crept in, as thunder roared and lightning flashed, and the rains came flooding in.
Animation 2:
On the earth below, silhouetted figures of elephants and giraffes, gazelles and monkeys all scatter from the pounding rain, escaping into the sheltering caves and dens of the nearby mountain. On a lone tree, a weaver bird sits perched in her little nest, her family of two squeaking chicks gathered by her feet, and she spreads out her wings to protect them.
Mabuki (V.O.)
One by one the animals of the forest ran into caves and dens, all seeking refuge from the heavy showers. Even the birds of the sky sat perched in their nests, protecting their little ones and waiting for the dawning of a bright and sunny day.
Animation 3:
The little weaver bird shuts her eyes and the scene fades to black. FADE IN:
Animation 4:
An upbeat song begins to play as the sun rays stretch over the savannah, illuminating the mountains, hills, and entire grassland. One by one, the elephants, giraffes, gazelles and monkeys all come out from their hiding places and into the plains; some somersault as others swing and skip.
Mabuki (V.O.)
And so when morning finally came, and with it the glow of the warm sun, the animals returned to the fields, dancing with good cheer. Life had gone back to normal, or so it seemed... Shh, wait a minute, let's listen in? "Rangi, oh Rangi?"
Animation 5:
Atop a baobab tree, a big, green, horned chameleon stands on an equally green leaf and looks out to the plains. This is Father Chameleon. He lifts his head and opens his mouth to call out — after a while, a sad expression washes over his face.
Mabuki (V.O.)
Mr. Chameleon, who was horned and as green as the leaf he stood on, had climbed to the top of a baobab tree to look for his son. Again he cried out: "Rangi! Where are you Rangi?" His voice echoed through the hills and plains, but sadly, he heard no reply.
Animation 6:
A smaller, yellow chameleon sitting on a piece of yellow long-grass spike looks to the ground below. This is Mrs. Chameleon. Her eyes rotate clockwise and anticlockwise simultaneously, but slowly, a hopeless expression washes over her face as she sighs.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"Rangi, oh Rangi?" On the ground below, Mrs. Chameleon was also searching for Rangi, but no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find him. Poor Mrs. Chameleon sighed with frustration.
Animation 7:
Across the field, a small porcupine walks towards Mrs. Chameleon. The porcupine distinctively has red lips and long lashes — Mama Porcupine. Mama Porcupine nods to herself as she hums a song, and just then, she's stopped by Mrs. Chameleon's long, flickering tongue.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
Just then Mama Porcupine strolled by. "Excuse me?" Mrs. Chameleon began. "But have you seen my baby Rangi, he's been missing since the terrible storm?"
Animation 8:
Mama Porcupine looks to the sky as though to think, then turns to Mrs. Chameleon, her eyes sympathetic. Mrs. Chameleon smiles back, then looks up to the tree to see Mr. Chameleon climbing down, his eyes downcast.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
Mama Porcupine thought for a moment, then said, "Chameleons are always very hard to find — you need professional help. Why don't you ask the Chief, I'm sure she will be able to help you find him. I will stay and keep searching for Rangi here." Mrs. Chameleon thanked Mama Porcupine and looked back up at the tree to see whether Mr. Chameleon had had any luck. But his sad eyes told her everything.
Animation 9:
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"I think we should go and see the Chief," Mrs. Chameleon called out to her husband.
Animation 10:
Both chameleons walk side by side on a dusty yellow terrain, and with it their skin color changes; after a while they walk on deep brown terrain, and again their color changes. Finally they stop outside a big oak tree that reads "CHIEF'S OFFICE." They look at each other, sigh, then enter inside a gaping hole. Within the oak tree, a little squirrel sits behind a row of nutshells. She looks up, sees the chameleons before her, and they explain their problem. She nods.
Mabuki (V.O.)
And so they set off on a long, slow walk, and eventually arrived at the Chief's office. "Excuse me," Mr. Chameleon called out. A small squirrel looked from behind his desk and the chameleon parents explained their problem.
Animation 11:
The squirrel shakes her head, eyes sympathetic. Mrs. Chameleon shuts her eyes and a big tear flows down, falling to the ground. The squirrel pats her back and talks to both chameleons. After a while, Mrs. Chameleon wears an optimistic smile and nods to her husband. They walk out of the oak tree and into the jungle.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"Oh dear," the squirrel replied when they had finished telling him the sad story. "I'm very sorry but I'm not the Chief — I'm the secretary. The Chief is already out on duty." Seeing how saddened the chameleons were, the squirrel said, "Perhaps you should report it to Zimzim, the police officer. He is the best police officer in the entire animal kingdom." Filled with new hope, the chameleons left the Chief's office and headed towards the police station.
Animation 12:
The CRIES of a hawk fill the sky as the chameleons walk a dark path where the trees seem gloomy and the skies are filled with birds of prey. Mrs. Chameleon speaks to her husband, and as they carry on walking, their skin color changes along with their surroundings.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"I hope Rangi didn't get washed away by the terrible storm, we may never find our son," Mrs. Chameleon said as they walked along a path where scary-looking hawks and eagles hovered above, looking for tasty lizards and mice to eat. But Mr. and Mrs. Chameleon knew they were safe from the hungry birds because, as we all know, chameleons change their color, which makes them very difficult to see!
Animation 13:
The chameleons arrive at a watering hole, where a sign post reading "POLICE STATION" sits above a dead bark. Mr. Chameleon walks up to Zimzim, an old but robust zebra who wears eyeglasses and is reading from a file.
Mabuki (V.O.)
Soon they had arrived at the police station. "Excuse me?" Mr. Chameleon called out, and Zimzim the zealous zebra looked up from his file. "How can I help you?" Zimzim asked, adjusting his eyeglasses.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"Sir, we've lost our baby Rangi and we can't find him anywhere," Mrs. Chameleon replied. "Mhh — for how long has Rangi been missing?" Zimzim asked. Mother Chameleon's eyes wandered round and round. "He has been missing since before the break of dawn."
Animation 14:
Zimzim looks at the sky and sees the sun approaching noon. He turns to the chameleons; soon they jump on his back and off they head, Zimzim galloping away, arriving at the baobab tree where Mama Porcupine is still searching.
Mabuki (V.O.)
It was almost noon now, so Zimzim said to them, "Take me to the place you were last with him." And right away the chameleons climbed onto Zimzim's back and directed him towards the grand baobab tree, where Mama Porcupine was still searching.
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
"This is where we last saw him," Mother Chameleon said, climbing up onto a branch, "up here by this leaf."
Animation 15:
Zimzim scrutinizes the branch, spots a little brown lump underneath the leaf, and smiles, revealing all his goofy teeth. He nudges the lump with his nuzzle and it moves. Baby Rangi, sleeping upside down, opens his eyes, which rotate clockwise and anticlockwise, yawns, and sees his mother, smiling.
Mabuki (V.O.)
Zimzim looked at the brown branch of the tree and adjusted his eyeglasses. "Mhh," he thought to himself, as he saw a brown little lump, curled under a leaf. "Your baby is not missing," Zimzim announced, as he gently shook the brown little lump with his nuzzle. "He is sleeping!" Suddenly the brown lump moved — it was baby Rangi, sleeping upside down and as sound as can be!
Nurse Mercy (V.O.)
Rangi opened his big eyes and looked around; he yawned and then said, "I had a very nice dream. I remember rain pouring, then hearing everyone calling out to me."
Mabuki (V.O.)
Mrs. Chameleon smiled with joy as she walked to Rangi and cuddled her little boy. Mr. Chameleon smiled to Zimzim, then said, "What else can we say except thank you for reuniting us with our baby son."