Where Was Life or Something Like It Filmed?

Helmed by Stephen Herek, ‘Life or Something Like It’ is a 2002 romantic drama movie that follows a young and bright television reporter named Lanie Kerrigan, who seems to be leading a picture-perfect life. One day, on duty, her entire world is turned upside down when a psychic homeless man named Prophet Jack predicts that the days of her meaningless existence are numbered and she only has seven more days to live. At first, she doesn’t think much of it, but when several of his other predictions come true, Lanie is forced to change her perspective on life.

While on a mission to find meaning in her life, the reporter also finds love as she is forced to team up with a cameraman with whom she doesn’t particularly share a friendly relationship. As time passes by, she gets the opportunity to contemplate her life and put things in perspective by making certain changes. The story primarily unfolds in the Seattle area, where Lanie navigates her personal and professional life against the hustle and bustle of city life.

Life or Something Like It Filming Locations

‘Life or Something Like It’ was filmed in Washington, British Columbia, and New York, particularly in Seattle, Vancouver, and New York City. Principal photography for the Angelina Jollie starrer reportedly took place over the course of a month or so, between April and May 2001. Hundreds of extras and background actors were also deployed to bring the narrative to life. Since the romantic film is shot in several interesting spots, the cast and crew members enjoyed their time on set and took home a lot of memories.

Seattle, Washington

The city of Seattle served as one of the primary production locations for ‘Life or Something Like It’ as the filming team set up camp in the actual KOMO-TV studios to shoot the scenes of the fictional KQMO TV station. Logo changes were also made to the set and numerous KOMO-TV vehicles to add a hint of authenticity to the narrative. For lensing several baseball scenes, the cast and crew took over the T-Mobile Park at 1250 1st Ave South, formerly known as the Safeco Field. Serving as the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball, the baseball park can seat nearly 50,000 people.

The makers also turned Kerry Park at 211 West Highland Drive into a film set in order to shoot some important exterior scenes for the romantic drama. Several interior scenes were also taped in the Icon Grill restaurant at 1933 5th Avenue, where they reportedly spent about five days or so. In the establishing shots and other outdoor scenes, you are likely to spot various landmarks and tall buildings in the backdrop, such as the Space Needle, the Columbia Center, 1201 Third Avenue, and the Seattle Municipal Tower.

Vancouver, British Columbia

For the purpose of shooting, the filming unit of ‘Life or Something Like It’ traveled to the vibrant city of Vancouver in the westernmost province of British Columbia. The production team also utilized the premises of the studio of the television station CHAN-DT (channel 8) or Global BC (earlier known as British Columbia Television or BCTV) for taping a few sequences. According to reports, ‘Life or Something Like It’ was lensed in over 30 locations across many neighborhoods of Vancity, with many standing in for locations actually set in New York.

Many spots in the downtown area of the port city were chosen as shooting spots for several scenes. In particular, the iconic Marine Building at 355 Burrard Street in the Financial District doubled as the offices of AM USA, the popular New York-based morning show where Angelina Jolie’s character, Lanie Kerrigan, aspires to land a job as a network reporter. Labeled the tallest building in Vancouver in the late 1930s, the art deco architecture of the towering structure is considered an exquisite masterpiece for its seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary designs.

The cast and crew also utilized the services of the Vancouver Film Studios, situated at 3500 Cornett Road. The full-service production facility is a go-to spot for shooting, especially as it boasts 12 purpose-built sound stages spanning an area between 12,500 to 21,000 square feet and eight private offices with other first-rate features. The sequence with Lanie covering a story at the zoo, particularly featuring a chimp who lashes out at Lanie and proceeds to cover her mouth was seemingly taped at the 1,001-acre public park Stanley Park in Vancouver.

New York City, New York

To further enhance the visual canvas of Lanie’s story in ‘Life or Something Like It,’ the production team also visited New York City. A few scenes were shot at the world-renowned Times Square in Midtown Manhattan, the central business district in the NYC borough of Manhattan. Sitting at the intersection of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street, the destination is recognized as a prominent tourist hub with a vibrant entertainment scene, glistening skyscrapers, flashing digital billboards, and an overall bustling vibe. Over the years, it has served as a production spot for many movies and television shows, such as ‘Euphoria,’ ‘Vanilla Sky,’ ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,’ ‘Jerry Maguire,’ ‘Friends with Benefits,’ as well as the chat show, ‘Good Morning America.’