For everyone on the set of ‘Seeking a Friend for the End of the World’, variations on the questions and answers to what you would do on your last days on earth were invariably put forth and debated on a daily basis. What director/writer Lorene Scafaria had described as the “wonderful group of actors,” many of whom were on-set for just a couple of days, proved eager to chat with each other and the crew between takes, comparing notes on ultimate musical collections and cities of their final destinations.

Actor Derek Luke offers, “I’d go and find people to help, or friends that I need to apologize to.” Actress Connie Britton reflects, “I would probably drive across the country and I would listen to every single kind of music, especially music from my childhood and Prince’s ‘1999,’ even though he was off with the year by a little bit.”

Expanding on Britton’s playlist, Scafaria’s assistant Virginia Shearer “would take ‘Purple Rain,’ ‘Sign o’ the Times,’ ‘Dirty Mind,’ and ‘Controversy.’ And, Prince himself.” Actress Melanie Lynskey comments, “My husband and our dog and I would hopefully go to Savannah. I’d bring The Cure and The Smiths and Pavement, and just listen and feel comforted.” Camera loader/production assistant Josh Novak picks “anything by Otis Redding – let’s just say ‘Greatest Hits,’ for the sake of not carrying bulk on the road trip to somewhere peaceful and tropical.”

Opting for neither peaceful nor tropical, actress Gillian Jacobs enthuses, “I’ve never really broken any laws in my life, so I’d probably break a lot of them. I would probably destroy a lot of buildings using heavy equipment from construction sites. Maybe crash cars into medians on the highway, firebomb empty buildings – standard stuff.”

Actor Patton Oswalt states, “I would have the theme to the TV show “The Facts of Life” on a loop, and drive towards Elton John, wherever he was. Because I’d want to hear him sing ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ while the meteor was approaching us; I just don’t think there’s any better way to end the world.” Gail Scafaria, the writerwriter/director’s mother, says, “Just to be with Lorene. Yeah, that would be it.”

Beginning at the End

Well before the whole world and/or one’s own life might end, every one of us ponders how we will face that moment. Steve Carell says, “I think Lorene Scafaria’s story beautifully transcends aspects of the normalcy of life. The movie is about finding the value of life, and finding what makes you happy.”

Scafaria reflects, “Time is the great equalizer, and our time here is limited. Everyone can relate to that, and hopefully learn from it. One of the most precious things you can offer to another person is your time.” Producer Steve Golin says, “I feel everyone harbors the beliefs that somebody is out there for them and that options exist.” Producer Mark Roybal adds, “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is about coming together at the most crucial time – at the end of time. It’s profound, funny, and uplifting.” Keira Knightley offers, “For these two, it’s about what suddenly becomes important. I think what’s actually being said here is, why do we not live as we should live? Why do we not see what things are important? Why do we not spend time with the people that we love? We act as if we have ‘tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow,’ but what if we don’t?

“That’s why I found the story so optimistic; aside from the occasional riot, positive things will come forth from humanity at the turning point.”

Image Courtesy of  Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

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