Lorene Scafaria wanted to " tell the story of boy meets girl with a really ticking clock " , prompted by recent events in her own life , including a " death in the family , a breakup , and a new relationship . " Scafaria also took inspiration from her experience during the September 11 attacks . Having recently moved from New York to Los Angeles , the attacks left her feeling " stranded " and so she ended up getting in contact with old friends . Later , she commented that she " found it interesting that this cataclysmic event would have such an effect on my own human behavior and relationships . " In terms of movies Scafaria found inspiration in films such as '' 2012 '' and '' The Day After Tomorrow '' . The story , specifically that of an " unexpected romance blossoming between two strangers while on an impromptu road trip " , shares similarities to that of her previous screenplay , '' Nick and Norah 's Infinite Playlist '' , and it was while titling the previous movie that she thought , " What if you took forever off the table ? " Scafaria said that Adam Brody helped her with the script , giving her a male perspective to the soundtrack . Filming began May 2011 in Los Angeles . It was the first movie Carrell filmed after ending his seven-year run on The Office
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World