How can I film a night scene with only basic camera equipment (but decent software)?

John S: How can I film a night scene with only basic camera equipment (but decent software)?
I am filming a video project for school. We have a very basic video camera/camcorder. We do not have any other camera equipment or lighting equipment. However, I am able to use Sony Vegas 9 to edit my videos. How can I film/edit a good-looking night scene? This scene is supposed to be inside a house, at night.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Matt
The only way you’re going to get a half decent picture is to slow the shutter speed right down – there is usually a setting on the video camera if you can find a manual override in the menus.

If you can’t find this option, check if there is a “nightshot” option – Sony includes this on many of their models – this invokes an infra-red LED that will illuminate the scene and causes the picture to give off that greenish tinge popularised in the Blair Witch Project. Good luck – sounds like a lot of fun!

Answer by Rugratzzzzzzzzzzz
Why dont you do what they did in the OLD movies use a smoked camera lens, it will make the video apear to be dark, but it will not give the same problems as trying to video in the dark. Just a thought. obviously this is only an option if your camera does not have a low Lux (0)

if you can use dimmer switches so that you can reduce the light to a level that you get a good video but none of the grain.

You do not say what camera you are using so there is very little else, for the camera. adding effects to the video of course is another option and Vegas will serve you well for that.

Good luck

RR

Answer by dgey1
you need to light the video and look at it through a monitor to see if you are getting what you want. There is no short cut. shooting night for day or day for night isn’t easy for professionals either.