cinematography Creating dreamlike shots?

[Semiazas]

Does anyone have any good light & camera tricks to use to create dreamlike shots, like it is a dream that's being watched.
As far as light goes, it might be mostly natural stuff, although I have access to good lighting rigs in my drama room. Camera wise, I'm using a camcorder of some sort.

 

[chilipie]

It might be a bit of a clichéd choice, but diffusion filters are often to used to convey a dreamlike feeling. You can do it in post (and retain much more precise control over the final look) or with diffusion filters on the camera, which is easier to do and usually gives more organic looking results. A decent diffusion filter can be quite pricey, but one more low budget option is to stretch some thin stocking material (usually black) over the front of the lens.

Unless you're absolutely certain you will nail the look you want in camera, I would recommend toning it down a bit, and then increasing the effect in post. It is very easy to increase the amount of diffusion in post-production, but virtually impossible to reduce it, so be careful not to over do it.

I'm sure some other people will chime in with more suggestions - good luck!

 

[Semiazas]

Are there any PC programmes that can give those effects?

 

[chilipie]

Are there any PC programmes that can give those effects?

Premiere and Vegas can, but if you're still looking at free ones then I'm not sure. Windows Movie Maker might be able to, but you probably won't have much (if any) control over the strength of the effect.