Film Trailers: Structural Conventions

The structural conventions of a trailer consist of the following four stages:
1. Opening: Establishes the setting and introduces primary characters.
2. Build Up: Relationships are established  and the development of characters and their world.
3. Problem: A dilemma or series of complications or an obstacle that the character's faced with. There may be more than one problem in the narrative.
4. Events: A series of events as characters try to overcome obstacles and solve the problems they are faced with. Further complications may arise in the process.




Although, the Problem and Events often overlap. This is evident in the structural conventions analysis of 'Big Eyes' that I have previously looked at the conventions of.


Opening
The central protagonist is a female artist who makes clear when talking to her dog, that she doesn't trust people. At 0.14 she tells her dog her secret that she hasn't told anyone before. Judging by the style of dress, the cars featured and geographical landmarks in the setting, it suggested that the film is set in San Francisco, America, during the late 50's early 60's. There is a positive atmosphere with upbeat music in the background and very picturesque scenery.


Build Up
The central protagonist and her friends relationship is established. As well as the central protagonists new husband. The build up shows how quick the process was of meeting her husband to be, to then marrying him by showing the shots in quick succession. This is reinforced by her friend suggesting at 0.43 that their relationship is going rather fast which shows the progression from Build Up to Problem and Events.


Problem and Events
It is evident that there is some overlapping between Problem and Events due to more problems arising. At 0.52 we're shown that her new husband: Keene, is lying about who the artist is of the art he is selling. He assumes the identity of the artist when the audience knows that the central protagonist is the real artist. The Events proceeding, show the central protagonist and her husband to be very happy that they are getting money for the artwork. This being due to the fact that 'lady art' doesn't sell and only art by men sells. Although, the shot showing the characters being so happy about the money, may have had an alternative placement in the film as it is common that film trailers are not in chronological order. The placement of this shot in the actual film is unknown and so it may not actually have any relevance to the problem.


Problems begin to arise after the Events when the central protagonist shows clear discomfort about lying to her child about who the artist is. This issue is what subsequently leads the central protagonist to the events that aim to solve the issue. It is suggested by the shots of inside a courthouse that the central protagonist attempts to reveal her husband for who he really is: a fraud.


'Big Eyes' appears to comply with the structural conventions of film trailers. It would be interesting to see a trailer that didn't conform to these conventions. However, I don't think the trailer would be as successful and effective as those who use the structural conventions. This is because the conventions make trailers easier to understand for the audience and make revealing aspects of the story line easier to comprehend.