Creation of interior night scene (in production or post-production)

RudyPicardo

RudyPicardo

Member
Fellow Users

First, I wanted to give my sincere thanks for all the advice and suggestions I've been getting on various production projects in the past few months. I've been told that I've got good job security here as I've "raised the bar" for video production here I've got another challenge that I hope you lighting experts can educate me.

We're making an industrial training video. The scene is to be shot in a hospital bedroom where I need to make it look dark. Talking with my script writer/director, he stated that he'd like to simulate night (if possible), but as long as the room is dark and can still video the talent, that is fine..

We are shooting in a real hospital setting, and can only shoot in the daytime (between 10-5:00 pm). A sample of the type of room "colors" is linked here
http://www.rudypicardo.com/CAM/WorkedExamples_TEMP.mov

Is there a way to simulate a dark or night-time setting since we're shooting in the day?

We will be using a Canon XL 2 and/or XL 1 (Respectful apologies to the mods of the site)

We only have a Lowel Elemental Kit with the following equipment.
1 Tota-light, (T1-10)
2 Omni-lights, (01-10)
3 Omni-stands (01-33)
2 Omni Barndoors (01-20)
1 Full Scrim (01-54)
1 Tota-brella (T1-25)
2 Tota-frames (T1-20)
1 Assorted Gels (T1-78) - 3 Day Blue, 1 Frost, and 1 Neutral Density 3
1 Tota/Omni Lampak (T0-61)

As far as post-production, I am working on Final Cut Pro 5, and have the full Final Cut Studio at my disposal (including Motion 2).

Other than being familiar with a 3-point lighting set-up, my knowledge of lighting techniques is poor. We only have a few hours to shoot this 1-2 page scene; I'm not looking for the hollywood approach to lighting, as we don't have time to set-up and strike an elaborate lighting set-up.

That being said, if there's anything you can recommend (either in production or post-production) I would be grateful.
 
Several of the interior night scenes in the movie Halloween (1978) were shot during the day. To create the effect of night, they essentially created a small black tent outside the visible windows. This blocked out the sunlight and they were able to shine lights with CTB in through the windows from inside those tents to simulate moonlight.
 
This may be too simple, but what about taking the light out of the room and then putting back depending on your taste. Get some duvie and black out the windows so that the blinds can be pulled down over the duvie. Establish the fact that no light is coming in through the windows and then use your lighting kit to MOTIVATE the lighting that needs to be there. I know it is kind of a "take it back to zero" technique, but it works well.
I edit alot and I have found that with industrials and stuff like that, It always makes sense to shoot what you are after (straight up) and do your best to limit your post nightmares.
 
Blacking out the windows is the easiest route. Then, think about those things that say "interior night" to you. Artifical lights, pools of light, overall lower light levels, warmer tones, etc. Practical lights become very helpful both as a source to motivate your lighting and as an actual source of light for part of the scene. When else do you get to include your lights in the shot? Things that I've found helpful for dealing with practicals include:
Hand-held dimmers (you can build them for a few bucks with home-store parts).
Various sized light bulbs (often the in-shot lamps are too bright, so having a smaller lamp on hand is handy)
ND, Tough spun, or other diffusion (can be used inside the shade on the practical to keep it from blowing out in the frame)

Good luck with the shoot!
 
One strategy is to light the scene, then try turning off lights, one at a time. See what you can get away without. Quick and easy way to audition a look that might just be better for your needs.
 
Thanks to everyone for your comments

Thanks to everyone for your comments

Fellow Users

As always, the DVX users come to the rescue in the clutch!

I am planning to use a combination of comments from the users to get the job done for our training video:

1) We attempted to blacken the window. I only had a white sheet and the window blinds, but it did darken the room a significantly. Setting up a tent to eliminate the light from the outside was impossible (as we were on the 4th floor)

2) We also used the light kit, to adding or subtracting the light source(s) to ensure the talent was lit adequately. We also had the background area dark to help bring the idea that it was night, along with adding depth to the scene.

3) I'm planning to do a little post-production to see if I can achieve the "Night-for-Day" look. I figure Motion 2 and/or anything on the Final Cut Studio suite will allow me to do help achieve the night look.

I think that all three techniques will provide enough information to get the viewer to think its night time.

My sincere thanks for everyone's comments!
 
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