The 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran is dramatically recreated at the beginning of Argo. Instead of using the actual embassy (which still stands today), the Argo crew filmed the sequence at the Veterans Affairs Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center. Located in the North Hills area of the San Fernando Valley, the mostly-vacant facility is currently undergoing restoration and is used often as a film location. In a Los Angeles Times article, Argo location manager Chris Baugh said, “[The VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center] even had the same number of stories as the U.S. embassy in Tehran. It was a huge stroke of luck.” Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will recognize the center’s Building 200 as a stand-in for Seattle Grace Hospital.

With time running out before the six Americans are discovered, CIA agent Jack O’ Donnell (played by Bryan Cranston) calls in “exfiltration” expert Tony Mendez to help formulate a rescue plan. The Argo cast and crew were granted limited access to film at the actual CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. The Los Angeles Times Building in Downtown LA was repurposed for various scenes that took place in the offices and conference rooms of the CIA. Located at the corner of 1st and Spring streets near Little Tokyo, the historic Los Angeles Times Building opened in 1935. The building was designed by Gordon B. Kaufmann, the architect best known for his work on the Hoover Dam. The 10-foot high murals in the Globe Lobby were painted by Hugo Ballin, who also painted the Griffith Observatory rotunda.

The Bel-Air mansion of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor and her husband, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, was featured in Argo as the home of Hollywood producer Lester Siegel, played by Alan Arkin. In a key scene at Siegel’s home, Mendez comes across a script for a science fiction movie titled “Argo.” The fake movie production becomes the basis for the rescue operation. Located at 1001 Bel Air Road, the private, gated estate sits on an acre of property and boasts panoramic views of the city. Numerous areas of the property can be seen in Argo, including the front facade, grand foyer, living room and pool area. Over the years, the $15 million mansion has reportedly welcomed distinguished guests such as Queen Elizabeth, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

A fake movie company called Studio Six Productions was created as part of the elaborate cover for the rescue operation. A Studio Six “office” was set up on the Warner Bros. lot, and the Studio Six Productions identity appeared on business cards, teaser posters, and display ads that were purchased in Hollywood trade publications. According to A Classic Case of Deception, the case study written by Mendez himself, the deception worked so well that none other than Steven Spielberg sent a script to the Studio Six offices. In the movie, after Mendez and Siegel close the deal to buy the Argo script, they share a takeout lunch on the backlot. For historical accuracy, the studio’s iconic water tower was altered to say "The Burbank Studios,” rather than the familiar Warner Bros. logo.

For movie fans, few attractions can compare to the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour, which offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Hollywood at work. Each tour group of 12 guests experiences a fascinating 2-hour tour that travels through backlot streets, soundstages, sets and craft shops. No two tours are alike. Visitors can walk through the set of a hit television show, watch Foley artists create sound effects for movies, see how sets are constructed, browse millions of items in the prop department, get up-close to vehicles from film and television, and much more.

At nearby Universal Studios Hollywood, the VIP Experience offers the ultimate behind-the-scenes visit to the famed studio. Limited tickets to the VIP Experience are $289 per person, and include a special trolley that lets you disembark and explore areas not open to the general public; no-wait VIP access to all rides in the park and the best seats at any show; gourmet lunch in the private VIP dining room; valet parking and VIP entry and exit from the park.

During the 2013 awards season, the critically-acclaimed Argo received numerous accolades, led by seven nominations for the 85th Academy Awards, winning for Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. Earlier in the year, Argo won Best Picture – Drama and Best Director at the 70th Golden Globes. Affleck took home the top prize at the 65th Directors Guild of America Awards, winning the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Films. At the British Academy Film Awards (aka the BAFTAs), Argo took home three awards, including Best Picture and Affleck for Best Director.