Every story begins with a spark — a fleeting idea that demands to be explored. For me, that spark often starts with a deep emotional question or a “what if” scenario that lingers. My short film script, The Wishing Box, which is part of my portfolio, is a perfect example of this creative journey in action.
As someone who crafts both novellas and commercial ads, diving into the heart of a story — where it began, how it grew, and what it ultimately became — is always a rewarding process.
Here’s a personal look into the making of The Wishing Box.
The Initial Spark: What Does a Wish Truly Cost?
The story began with a simple yet profound thought:
What if a wish wasn’t free?
What would be the most painful, yet perhaps necessary, price to pay for a granted desire?
The idea of memory came to mind. Our memories define us — they shape our relationships and hold our emotional history. Losing them felt like the ultimate sacrifice, especially for a young, innocent character.
That’s when the central theme took shape:
“Some gifts take more than they give.”
Developing the Core Conflict: Love vs. Memory
Once the cost was established, the next step was building a situation where that cost would feel unbearably high. Enter Jide, Tunde’s younger, ailing brother. Family love — pure and instinctive — became the perfect emotional ground.
The idea of Tunde giving up his most precious memories to save his brother, only to forget he ever loved him, was heartbreakingly powerful. That emotional contradiction formed the story’s soul.
Crafting Characters and Setting in a Short Form
In a five-page short film script, every line counts. Each character had to be drawn efficiently but meaningfully.
Tunde: Wiry, bright-eyed, full of innocent hope. His inner conflict becomes more tragic as he begins to forget the very person he sacrificed everything for.
Jide: Fragile and soft-spoken, designed to instantly evoke empathy. He is Tunde’s heart — the anchor of his selfless decision.
The Mother: Tired but tender, representing the emotional weight of motherhood and grief. Her pain becomes the audience’s window into what has been lost.
Setting – Lagos: Grounding the magical element in the vibrant, chaotic life of Lagos added both realism and cultural richness. It speaks to both African and international audiences while giving the story a unique visual signature.
Showing, Not Telling: Letting the Emotion Speak
One of the biggest challenges — and triumphs — was showing Tunde’s memory loss visually, without heavy exposition.
Montage of Wishes: A sequence showing joy followed by confusion. This visual rhythm introduces the box’s dark consequence without saying a word.
“Who’s Jide?” Scene: The emotional gut punch. Tunde's mother’s devastated reaction says everything — no explanation needed.
The Final Walk: Tunde walking alone through Lagos, briefly smiling at a flying kite before frowning in confusion. He senses something missing, but can’t name it. That silent void says more than any line of dialogue could.
Evolving the Ending
The final line
“Some gifts take more than they give.”
— came naturally. It encapsulates the entire story in one sentence. No dialogue needed. Just a quiet, haunting realization that lingers.
Bringing Ideas to Life
The Wishing Box was born from a philosophical question and grew into a deeply personal script about sacrifice, love, and loss. Crafting it required emotional honesty, structural clarity, and a willingness to let silence speak.
Whether I’m writing a short film or a 30-second commercial, my process remains rooted in storytelling that connects. Every project begins with a spark — but the magic happens in shaping that spark into an experience the audience will never forget.
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