Reading Log #3

Jacques Tati constructed the film Play Time with slight monotonous techno aesthetics of its mise-en-scene. He often uses long and establishing shots to present the conservatively modern themes of the miniature Paris (showing the setting) built for the film. Furthermore, he shows a transformation from the inhuman city that is developed into a vitality and spontaneity as the film progresses from daytime to night-time.

His shots of the nightclub setting sequences, which are with cold colours of lighting and highlights on the props, are added with shadows to emphasize their forms. The sequence also is shown with low-key lighting, with fill light and backlight to create more contrast and a tint of saturation to the visual conventions.

The shots are complemented with flashy, late 60s costumes and the modern styles. This representation is unified with its setting and goes well with the characters’ acting style and performances.

The film is directed with performances that show clueless characters fascinated by the new technologies (props shown) and also new places or food shown in the restaurant nightclub. All these components of mise-en-scene; setting, lighting, performance and costume, contribute to the overall Paris in the 1960s context and its techno but conservative aesthetics. Being one of the filmic conventions, mise-en-scene presents everything that is in the frame and relates to the narratives as well as the context.