Cleydael as a Film Location
Location:
Although Cleydael is a relatively small house, several of the rooms are large enough to accommodate a reasonable sized cast and crew. Downstairs rooms available for filming are the living room (19x18), dining room (19x18), center hallway (29 x 12), Dr. Stuart's former office (11 x 19) and the stairway hall (11 x 15). The upstairs rooms may be made available by special arrangement.
The house originally had over 1500 acres attached to it. Now it is the centerpiece of an "executive homes" subdivision. The Cleydael plantation house has retained only 12 acres of land, but the subdivision is not visible from almost all angles, even in the winter.
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Click on the image above to watch a slide presentation of location photos.
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The front portion of the grounds are sheltered by tall Leyland cypress trees and the back view is protected by about 5 acres of woodland. This native mixed broadleaf and evergreen woodland abuts the forested portions of adjacent properties and leads into a marsh / swampland at the bottom of the hill beyond our property. All the properties in the subdivision maintain a portion of this woodland, which is bald eagle habitat.
There are trails in the woods and a portion of an old road that have a good look for filming have have been used to portray roads and trails in a period context.
While none of the original outbuildings survive, we have built a reproduction of a mid 19th century tobacco barn, used to portray the Garrett farmhouse's barn for the National Geographic shoot.
Film Eras:
Cleydael is primarily set up for filming projects set in the Civil War and the decades immediately before and after, although it obviously could be used as a setting for any action taking place after this era if an older house / farmhouse look is desired.
Because it was built in an older style of architecture (vernacular Federal / Greek Revival) it can also pass for filming set in earlier eras, particularly with the type of tight shots that are standard in cable documentaries. Furniture can be rearranged and other furniture brought in to change the era if desired.
Props & Set Dressing:
As film professionals ourselves, we understand the value of having a location that is flexible to work with. Most of the furniture at Cleydael can be rearranged to get the desired visual, with the exception of a few, large, heavy items (china cabinets and bookshelves). If you are providing sufficient crew and will cover our own crew handling breakables, we will consider moving the larger articles of furniture as well -- as long as everything gets back in its correct place afterwards, unscathed.
In addition to the furniture currently in use in the various rooms, we have an inventory of other furniture available for film use and a wide range of hand and action props and set dressing items useful for films set in the mid to late 19th century.
We are prepared to provide a package including location and prop / set dressing rentals if needed. Other props on hand include period tentage, horse tack, Civil War military accoutrements / weapons, farm implements and period tools. Other items can be sourced from our network as and when needed.
Facilities we offer include:
- High Speed Internet Access: Bring your laptop and we'll give you password access to our LAN so you can get online.
- Parking & Staging Areas: Depending on which areas of the grounds are being filmed, there is parking for 20-30 vehicles, an Art Department / wardrobe staging area and a large circular gravel driveway where trucks / trailers can be turned around, which has accommodated a 5 ton grip truck.
- Horse Boarding Facilities: Cleydael is a working horse farm. Although all six stalls are currently occupied, we have two fenced pastures and a separate fenced paddock / riding ring area.
- Craft Services Set Up: We have an assortment of folding tables, large and small, which can be used for catering and craft services, along with craft equipment: coolers, large coffee makers, chafing dishes, etc., if your craft services personnel are not already bringing supplies of this kind. (note: we can also cover craftie for you if desired).
- Wardrobe Facilities: Cleydael is also the HQ of Cleydael Historical Wardrobe, a specialist rental house dealing with period costuming for film and television. We maintain a large inventory of period-authentic wardrobe, with particular emphasis on the Civil War to late 19th century (but also covering other eras) Whether you're renting our inventory or bringing your own, we can also supply an 8 x 20 ft wardrobe trailer, an 18 x 24 tent with changing facilities.
- Production Staffing: We are experienced in production and production services and can provide crew to cover any and all departments needed. Flying in from the west coast and don't want to spend too much on airfares? Virginia crews are among the most experienced in the country -- and we can help you get the very best on your team.
- Casting & Extras We are experienced in casting look-alikes for famous personages, organizing / filming auditions, and casting reenactors and other extras, through our affiliation with one of the leading specialists in this genre.
- Animal Actors: One of our horses is a seasoned film professional and the others are in training. Agnes the sheep, two of the dogs and one of the cats also have film credits and all can act on request. We can also arrange period farm animals and vehicles if needed.
King George County as a Film Location:
In addition to Cleydael, King George County has a number of other historical sites not often used on film. The county is a well-kept secret. We have helped other production companies find a variety of locations in this area and can do the same for your project if needed.
There are hotels in the county affiliated with two major chains, plus some smaller hotels, all within a 10-15 minute drive of Cleydael. While the stock of restaurants in the county is also small, it is growing and what we DO have is good. The county does have the usual contingent of 24 hour facilities for shopping / food -- Sheetz, Wawa, 7-11.
A little further away, in Colonial Beach and Fredericksburg (20-25 minutes) is a large selection of hotels and restaurants. Across the county line in Port Royal is Hornes, a famous 24 hour restaurant that features not only the usual diner fare but gourmet dishes such as wild game.
Pricing:
The cost of using Cleydael as a location varies, depending on the length and nature of the shoot, the amount of rearrangement of interiors needed, the likely useage of electricity, and whether any other production services or prop/wardrobe rentals are required. If your production is interested in exploring Cleydael as a film location, contact us and we'd be glad to develop a package suited to your needs and budget.
FAQs:Yes, that is a real sheep in the location photos slideshow. Her name's Agnes -- and she doesn't really live indoors, she was just visiting. But she does have on-camera experience!
Visit the Virginia Film Office for information on the advantages of shooting in Virginia.
