By Bryn Goodman
After having a conversation on Twitter about old TV programmes that we used to watch as children, I started to think about how the intros to these programmes could be used to inspire writing.
If you use any of these ideas, please share :
email : [email protected]
Twitter : @bryngoodman
Battle of the Planets
Writing Ideas
1. Character profiles for each member of G-Force.
2. Write the back story to the programme - why were they defending Earth? How do they become G-Force?
3. Write a story about how they saved Earth.
4. Diary entry as a member of G-Force
1. Character profiles for each member of G-Force.
2. Write the back story to the programme - why were they defending Earth? How do they become G-Force?
3. Write a story about how they saved Earth.
4. Diary entry as a member of G-Force
Buck Rogers in the 21st Century
Writing Ideas
1. Character Profile of Buck Rogers
2. Discussion text about whether it would be better to live in 1987 or 2491
3. Write a letter to Buck's family about life in the future.
4. Write a narrative set in 2491.
5. Setting description of Earth circa 2491
6. Instructions about how to prepare for a deep space mission.
7. Write an explanation text, explaining how his spaceship works.
1. Character Profile of Buck Rogers
2. Discussion text about whether it would be better to live in 1987 or 2491
3. Write a letter to Buck's family about life in the future.
4. Write a narrative set in 2491.
5. Setting description of Earth circa 2491
6. Instructions about how to prepare for a deep space mission.
7. Write an explanation text, explaining how his spaceship works.
The A Team
Writing Ideas
1. Write back story - what crime were they accused of? How did they escape?
2. Character profiles of each of the team.
3. Write a narrative involving the A-Team.
4. Write a letter to one of the A-Team from the point of view of the authorities trying to catch them.
5. BA Baracus doesn't like flying. How would you persuade him?
6. Write a script for your own A-Team trailer. Then film it.
7. Design wanted posters for each of the A-Team
1. Write back story - what crime were they accused of? How did they escape?
2. Character profiles of each of the team.
3. Write a narrative involving the A-Team.
4. Write a letter to one of the A-Team from the point of view of the authorities trying to catch them.
5. BA Baracus doesn't like flying. How would you persuade him?
6. Write a script for your own A-Team trailer. Then film it.
7. Design wanted posters for each of the A-Team
THUNDER CATS
Writing Ideas
1. Make Thundercat Top Trumps.
2. Write a voice over for the intro.
3. Write a narrative about with the Thundercats as characters.
4. Write a persuasive letter explaining which Thundercat is the best and why.
5. Setting decryption of their world.
6. Describe their enemy.
1. Make Thundercat Top Trumps.
2. Write a voice over for the intro.
3. Write a narrative about with the Thundercats as characters.
4. Write a persuasive letter explaining which Thundercat is the best and why.
5. Setting decryption of their world.
6. Describe their enemy.
Jamie And The Magic Torch
Writing Ideas
1. Jamie travels into another world down the slide from his bedroom floor. Your class could write a story where the main character is transported into another world from their bedroom in some other way.
2. Describe the two main settings in the intro and compare them.
3. Write a diary entry as Jamie.
4. Write a set of instructions about how to get back home.
1. Jamie travels into another world down the slide from his bedroom floor. Your class could write a story where the main character is transported into another world from their bedroom in some other way.
2. Describe the two main settings in the intro and compare them.
3. Write a diary entry as Jamie.
4. Write a set of instructions about how to get back home.
Bananaman
CHiPS
Writing Ideas
1. Describe the characters - lots of visual detail provided in the clip.
1. Describe the characters - lots of visual detail provided in the clip.
HE-MAN
TOP CAT
DANGERMOUSE
MORK AND MINDY
Ulysses 31
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Writing Ideas :
1.Write rap poetry inspired by the rap in the intro.
2. Write a comparison between Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Which would you prefer to live in?
3. Character profile of The Fresh Prince.
4. Diary entries comparing life in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
1.Write rap poetry inspired by the rap in the intro.
2. Write a comparison between Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Which would you prefer to live in?
3. Character profile of The Fresh Prince.
4. Diary entries comparing life in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Knight Rider
Writing Ideas :
1. Make up a back story about Michael Knight - Who is he? Why is he driving around in that car? What is his job?
2. Character profiles of the other characters.
3. Write a non-chronological report about the car.
4. Design an advert for the car.
5. Write a narrative involving Michael Knight and the car.
6. Write an explanation text about how all the features of the car work.
7. Write their own script for a commentary to go with the intro.
1. Make up a back story about Michael Knight - Who is he? Why is he driving around in that car? What is his job?
2. Character profiles of the other characters.
3. Write a non-chronological report about the car.
4. Design an advert for the car.
5. Write a narrative involving Michael Knight and the car.
6. Write an explanation text about how all the features of the car work.
7. Write their own script for a commentary to go with the intro.
The Dukes of Hazard
Wacky Races
Writing Ideas :
1. Write a comparison with Mario Kart (which most children will have played).
2. Write the back story - why are they racing?
3. Character profiles of the racers.
4. Diary of a Wacky Racer.
5. Design your own vehicle - write explanation text about its special features.
6. Design a persuasive leaflet advertising the Wacky Races.
7. Discussion text about whether Wacky Races are a worthwhile pursuit.
1. Write a comparison with Mario Kart (which most children will have played).
2. Write the back story - why are they racing?
3. Character profiles of the racers.
4. Diary of a Wacky Racer.
5. Design your own vehicle - write explanation text about its special features.
6. Design a persuasive leaflet advertising the Wacky Races.
7. Discussion text about whether Wacky Races are a worthwhile pursuit.
The Six Million Dollar Man
Battlestar Galactica
Voyagers