Film Planning - Timing the shoot

The timing of the shoot will be crucial to the effect that's created in the film. The aim would be to create an atmosphere where it is pitch dark outside the house, and all of the light is artificial. This gives the impression that the film is set in the dead of night. This will be easy to do in February, as the days get dark incredibly early, making it easier to get a 'dead of night' feel in the film. However, there is an issue with the fading light giving us away, so therefore the shoot is due to begin at 7pm sharp on the Saturday night, when it is completely dark, and the levels of outside light will be consistent.