How does the opening of 'My Boy Jack' appeal to audiences?

Firstly 'My Boy jack' the social demographic of the story appeals to a primary audience of a more older generation as it is a period drama set in the beginning of the Great War, so the older audience who take interest in this time in history would watch it. This is continued immediately through mise-en-scene as the drama begins. A clock is shown which has a typical face of that time period; also the protagonist dons a typical suit styled from that period as well as the interviewers who question him are seen in uniform with hats on the table to signify their authority. The car is given the first wide shot to show that the protagonist's father is driving and is also old-fashioned so the audience can relate to the time period. The setting of the country side and the large manor house also conveys a historical and beautiful time which their primary audience, being the older generation, may feel nostalgic about. 


On the other hand, it also appeals to a mass audience as the protagonist is played by the largely recognisable Daniel Radcliffe. He is shown in close-ups during the opening scene, and given conversation via over-the-shoulder shots with another character so that the audience can understand his character and not wait for his appearance later on in the drama, thus being drawn in immediately. The reputation of Daniel Radcliffe being a high-standard actor also appeals to a wide audience as then they would expect an high value production TV drama and so would watch to see if it meets their expectations. The parallel editing used to switch between the protagonist and his father to show their different situations appeals to the audience as it goes against the typical editing conventions of a period drama which would normally be expected to use continuous time and not simultaneous time. This would appeal to a more modern audience as this modern approach on the editing of a historical drama will cause it to be more interesting in some audience's perspectives. 


The uses and gratifications of the drama's background appeals to audience's as it is based on a true story of John Kipling so people may want to widen their knowledge of this situation by watching the drama. The beginning of the drama also gives the audience an insight into society at that time. The audience are informed by the protagonist's conversation with another character who is presented as being snobby that during that time it was difficult to get a high class job unless you were born into a family of that sort. It also shows that also, in the protagonist's case, you could even been prejudiced against for not only the class position of your family but also for wearing his glasses. The dialogue interests the audiences are it gives them information about the protagonist's background with his father being a writer and the other man responds in silence to show his snobbery. The mise-en-scene represent the protagonist as a lower-class man which also emphasises his struggle for the assumed higher ranking job.