Happy New Year was adapted from K. Lorrel Manning's critically-acclaimed play by the same title that ran Off-Broadway in June/July 2007. It starred Michael Cuomo Cuomo and William Oliver Watkins.
Lead actor Michael Cuomo originated the role of "Cole Lewis" in the Off-Broadway play. He then revised the role in the award-winning short film, and then the feature.
Because neither of them had a military background, Manning and Cuomo interviewed over 80 veterans from various wars - Iraq/Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Vietnam and WWII - to ensure accuracy. Manning often gave certain interview subjects various drafts of the script for feedback.
Actress Tina Sloan is a military mother. Her son Remy served in Iraq. Though Remy returned home physically unscathed, Sloan said that her approach to the role of "Grace Lewis" was effortless, saying "'Grace' is me in my worst nightmare."
Manning became interested in the subject of veterans and PTSD when he randomly picked up a copy of book Nina Berman's PURPLE HEARTS: BACK FROM IRAQ in a Barnes & Noble. He took the book home and read it cover to cover that night.