Click here to listen to the interview (12:48)

Writer/director Lorene Scafaria started her writing career by using her talent to win free pizzas back when she was in grade school. It was the first thing I asked her about when we spoke on June 14, 2012. It was a puckish start to a conversation that considered what it would be like to face the end of the world, as did her characters in SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, an unlikely but deeply moving romantic comedy.

We moved on to being a first-time director, how her father's death while writing the screenplay informed the final product, and why Herb Alpert is the best choice for the last song ever.