Cheating Day For Night Shooting

[cyberfly]

I've got a two part questions for you guys. I'm still pretty new to this work so I'm looking for some advice. I don't know if this is the right forum to post this, but as the saying goes you never learn without mistakes. Now I've got some ideas for a production I'm working on where I'd like to have some night scenes in the film. From all the aritcles I've read shooting day for night is a option which alot of filmmakers use, but I've heard alot of filmmakers don't like how fake day-for-night looks, so what is your guy's opinions on this? I'm shooting on a Panasonic DVX100, for one thing. So would it be better to shoot day for night, or would it be better to bite the bullet and do late night shooting. The second part to this question what is the best way to go about shooting day-for-night on this type of camera, DVX 100? I'm a newbie so please be gentle.

[GuRamalho]

Day for night or "american night" as we say in Brazil is a good way to go, however, this camera can provide you good quality for night shots. That will depend of what you entend to shoot, the environment, etc. If it's a city shot for ex. you might have enough city light for the shot, compensating with some light for the close ups. In Other hand if you have o total dark environment you may want to go day for night, then I think you should care about having a careful underexposed material so you have more contrast. Adjust the white balance for tung.(B mode) and check if it doesn't look fake. Another way is to work it on post, since using the "B" white balance might give you too much blue, when what you realy want is a silver look for the material.

Well, it was a bit long but I realy hope it helps you, good look and good luck! * ;)

[Zensy]

"American night", yes... but be careful with the sky.
Never shot it!, in post is almost imposible to fake a bright sky into night...

Good lock!

[matthewd5]

there is also a filter that helps the day for night effect.

i've always wanted to play with day for night, its one of those things, like make a horror movie, make a music video etc.

just make one for the variety and to learn a new skill.

matthew

[GuRamalho]

It's true, I had forgot, take very good care with bright skies, the best situation for a classic day for night is the sun at 45º. If you are in the woods perfect. The trees and their bushes will give you a perfect "moon shadow". It will all depend of the environment you have. The filter you said is good Mathew, but again, take care with the excess of blue! Remember, moon light is silver, never blue like in cheap movies.

If shooting at night, with a good city light situation, try to shoot it at twilight, that will give you a dark blue sky, which will look a perfect "night" on video.

Go for it and good luck!!

ps: by the way Zensy, I think day 4 night is also called american night in Spain, isn't it? Because I know it's called this way all over Europe, like in the great Truffaut's movie "La Nuit Américaine" (American Night). And it's called this way in reference to Old West movies, where this technique was first used. Sorry for the long complement. ;D

[Zensy]

;D ;D HA HA HA HA!!, Yes, is Spain is "American Night" too, in fact is "Noche Americana", that means blue nigths... in the mind of the shooter... :)

Really, returning to discussion, I´ve obtained poor results with this film style, at least the best is shoot in real night but... real night is real electric generator, real artificial light, real problems, real focus problems, real money... ;D

[asylumproductions]

take care with the excess of blue! Remember, moon light is silver, never blue like in cheap movies.;D

I love that look of blue for night EXT.'s It is that classic horror movie look. You just can't overdo it.