Blogs

The Woodbury Story House has been offering a unique program on a case by case basis. This program is for students in their last year of film school and/or if they are developing a graduate thesis film. We have found that of all of our student filming, all of the film schools including USC, Chapman University, Art Center College of Design and the American Film Institute have all done outstanding projects at the Estate. The student overall care of the historic estate during their filming has been outstanding. We do offer student discounts on a case by case basis keeping in mind a site manager is still required and this is upon reviewing the project in its entirety which includes the synopsis as well as total number of cast & crew.

Welcome to the Woodbury Story Website. The website was named after the first 2 owners of the house. Captain Frederick Woodbury and Hampton Story. Captain Woodbury built the house in 1882, he lived there for years. Hampton Story lived in the home for 20 years. Hampton hired famed architect Frederick Roehrig to add on the music ballroom, a sunroom, porte cochere, game room, and bathrooms. Its hard to believe it but back in 1882, restrooms were outhouses! The estate is unaltered, there are no modern features. Its like walking back in time.

Hello - Thanks for looking at the site. If your interested in viewing photos just sign up as a new user..If you want photos emailed to you, you can email me at woodburystory@gmail.com or call me at 818-225-6220 ext 101 - Sally Elbert...We appreciate your interest in the Historic Woodbury Mansion built in 1882. Every room is very dramatic and unique with high ceilings, thick crown moulding, vibrant colors, features also include: 1100 sq ft Music Ballroom with vaulted ceilings, 7 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, Sapphire Dining Room, Red Napolean Reception Room, Yellow Salon, Blue French Tea/Greenhouse Room, Rustc Kitchen with double pantry, Cellar, 3rd Floor Attic and more..Call me today if you should have any further questions. Happy Thanksgiving!

Please call Sally Elbert for Film Location info at 818-312-1617 cell or 818-225-6220 ext 101. if you cannot reach Sally please call Peter Leissos at 818-225-6220 ext 114. The Woodbury Historic Landmark Property is a unique & authentic film location. It has over 7,000 sq ft of: Ballroom, Salon, Formal Dining Room, Old West Kitchen, Huge Southern Style Veranda Porch, Cellar with Tunnel, Attic, 7 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, long hallways, 13 ft ceiling with thick crown mouldings, beautiful woodwork, and dramatically painted rooms. House has been used or staged as: a Fraternity House, Sorority House, Museum, Hotel, Courthouse, Period Victorian Estate and more.

So your here at our site.,,,Thank you for looking..I am semi web-site savy so if for some reason after you "SIGN-IN/ REGISTER" you cant immediately see our photos of the interiors of the house, please email me at woodburystory@gmail.com. WELCOME! If you are a student, a researcher, a filmmaker, a location manager, a curious human, WELCOME! Please sign up so you can see more photos! I promise you I will NOT re-use your private email or I will never send you junk-mail. If you have immediate questions, please call me directly at 818-312-1617 - Sally Elbert Cheers! and have an awesome day! (yes awesome) :)

Currently August is a hot one (busy wise & temperature wise too)...There was only 1 year (last year) that around this time of year it was very slow for filming..Luckily this is not the case this year. Even though filming is down through-out LA, this month the phone has been ringing for productions. Although the budgets appear smaller, they are still filming like crazy...This is a good sign., For August we have done 1 video, 1 music video, and on hold the 16th and 17th call Sally Elbert for any questions 818-225-6220 ext 101 ...

Just recently I had the pleasure of finally sitting down to watch the Movie starring KATHERINE HEPBURN!!! called "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free"...The entire movie (95% of it) was filmed at The Woodbury House!!!! It was great to see her making tea in the kitchen and running around with the other cast members...The House pretty much looked the same (filmed in 1974-I think) It was interesting to see even the surrounding areas as well. The House is over 6,700 sq ft of 125 year old authentic workmanship from the late 19th Century..People always comment how it has been untouched.

The Woodbury Story Estate is a furnished yet unoccupied National Historic late 19th Century Mansion that is available for filming. The 7000 sq ft Estate has 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 7 fireplaces, a ballroom, a salon, living room, dining room, sunroom, long veranda, courtyard, cellar and a 3rd floor attic. The Estate has had many films made here including Kathryn Hepburn's "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free" to which 80% of the film was filmed in and around the exterior of the Estate. The property was also featured on over 40 Productions including: HGTV's If Walls Could Talk, Ghost whisperer, Many Feature films particularly Horror Genre due to the properties dramatic architectural features and Gothic Revival style as well. For more information call Sally Elbert 818-312-1617

So you had a look at some of the photos and you are intriqued?...for all filmmakers, productions, events and media events..Please call Sally Elbert at 818-225-6220 or 818-312-1617...You can arrange for an easy showing by calling me and discussing your production dates. Thank you!

If you ever wanting to win some money on one of these kooky shows you might want to give MysticArts casting a try...They are currently casting for Estate of Panic....apply today! prize is 20,000 k I hear next year they are taking the "guests" to a creepy house in Argentina!!!

You know even if your just starting out as a still photographer & you wanna take some shots at Old Woodbury. Dont hesitate to call. Lately this place has been booking still shoots even if its just 1/2 day.We've booked: Getty Images, Element, Forever 21, Garnet Hill, Stuff Magazine Bikini Shoot (yes really), Rock Groups for Stills such as LIFEHOUSE, PANIC AT THE DISCO, AMERICAN IDOL AND MORE...(sorry no K-mart!

You know I always wonder especially when Im at the house at night if it really is haunted.....?..I occasionally take random photos (only when Im alone at night there) Well surprise surprise I get the "Orbs"...I get them on the porch, in the Music Room & in the attic (fitting)...Im sure I would get a doozy in the uber creepy cellar but I dont have the "orbs" to do that just yet....I research these stupid Orbs and alot of people say on the web thats its dirt on the lense or dust in the room...Fine, well then how come they dont show up in my home I just moved into?

Altadena has been the filming hot spot for some time..Its been the regular spot for Ghostwhisper (filmed at our house too), a regular for HBO Entourage (Val Kilmar's pot house) , All the famous crash Jetta commercials, Feature Indie flicks, Still shoots, and I could go on and on...But seriously Ill tell you why..Altadena is FILM FRIENDLY AND THE SHERIFF AND FIRE DEPT ARE AWESOME! Where else can you do a fully amplified Music Video (during the day) invite the police over for lunch, while the fire marshall watches over the shoot and nobody is bugging you telling you to be quiet, dont park here dont park there..Its incredibly easy to film there..

Currently the Estate will be booked from on May 15 & 16. And on Hold May 20th. - May 2009 -Sally Elbert 818-225-6220 ext 101

The Woodbury House was built in 1882 it is the oldest house in Altadena. The founder of the city Captain Frederick Woodbury lived there. He duplicated this house from the one he lived in with his wife and 3 kids. The Estate is a rare Victorian Italianate. This popular style "Victorian Italianate" was prominent through-out 1860 - 1880. This Estate could of been when of the last ones built in that era. The key give-away of an Italianate - Victorian Architecture is the large Bracket Eaves just below the flat style roof. They are ornate and stunning under direct night lighting. The Estate was officially named a National Historic Place in by National Historic Preservation in Washington D.C. in 1994.

We (the Leissos Family) always appreciate the love everyone has for the Woodbury Story House. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs Bette Arko who lived at the estate in the late 50's to early 60's ..her wealth of information from back then was priceless..I look forward to continuing our friendship!!! I will post the history / photos I received from Bette's son..email woodburystory@gmail.com Sally Elbert -

If you need to reach Sally Elbert or Peter Leissos try the office 818-225-6220

Another exciting month in the filming industry, not so much with real estate and the stock market has reached a new level of low (scary Monday dropping 700 points) Thank goodness for show business as we are wrapping up a busy season this year and looking forward to some needing color palette changes in the salon room at the Woodbury House. For any last minute bookings call asap. Currently we are booked dec 10 and the 18th (2 separate shoots/stills) Call Sally Elbert 818-312-1617

Well surprisingly enough even though the woodburystory house is under restoration. We are still having requests for shoots. Last week we had a last minute print shoot, and we have 1 catalog shoot coming in next week. I cannot wait to see the final results of the work thats being done! The 2 rooms will be re-painted the yellow salon will be a slightly toned down yellow and new drapes will be satin bold stripes. If there are inquiries for shoots please call Sally Elbert 818-312-1617 cell Thank you!!