Small Scale Military Headquarters

any clever ideas for displaying something as though it were in darkness, at night? Obviously turning out the lights but i was wondering if there were ideas for making something look like it's in the dark, even though the room is lit.

eg a team of british commandos displayed at the back of a box like structure, which blocks much of the light but still lets enough in so you can seem them. Cumbersome, however.

Anyone have some slick ideas?

Hey yall!!! How bout tinted glass!!!Might work!!!---RED---

Aferguson, how about Shadow boxes....that my work for what you want.
Check out the work of Sheperd Paine.
http://sheperdpaine.com/
View Gallery, Box Dioramas.
Not much on the details off making one, for that you have to buy one of his books... but the pics on his site might give you an idea of the results that can be achieved.