A scene I chose from “Playtime” (1967) is the opening scene. While there are many other scenes that I could pick from, the opening scene is where it sets both the audience’s expectations and anticipations. I think this scene best represents the overall atmosphere the film carries.
In this film, the use of people’s reactions is part of the director’s signature style. The camera avoids having one focal point, making it difficult for the audience to understand where they need to look. However, by featuring reactions of other people in the frame, it enables every audience member to focus on one place or character by following the eye lines of other characters: hence in this shot, it’s two couples on sofa.
Another signature style of shooting in this film is the use of long takes for all scenes. Within the 2:15-long clip I found online, there are only three shots. As this is a comedy film, the tone is set in the second shot. As I explained, people on the sofa react to anything unusual that walks past them, and this continues for another two instances in the same shot. Particularly with the second person, it creates an awkward mood that will eventually continue throughout the film.
The third shot of the film uses an angle that is similar to the one from the first shot: shot diagonally in front of the characters walking. This makes the walking characters appear closer and larger within the frame. The difference, though, in this shot, is that there are far more walking people featured. Interestingly, every one of them has some sort of eye-catching action, regardless of where they are standing. Again, this emphasizes how the camera is in deep focus; hence, there is no “main focus” of the plot in the scene. It allows the audience to focus on one specific area and have their own experience with the scene.