The original score for Life is Just a Game was written by Joe Hastings, a London-based musician and composer who also wrote original music for Oliver Irving's feature film How To Be. In order to closely reflect the story of Life is Just a Game, Joe sought to create a contemporary score with retro styling and influence. It needed to be upbeat and reflect elements of classic 'cop show' themes as well as the comedic elements of the series.

Some of the musicians also star in Life is Just a Game – Sam Butterworth as 'Dekonnik' and Joe himself as 'O'Neil O'Hara.' The director of the series, Oliver Irving, recorded the drum parts in London before travelling to New York for filming.

Sam Butterworth tunes the Fender Rhodes before recording
music for Life is Just a Game

Vintage keyboards including the Fender Rhodes, Arp Odyssey, a Minimoog and a strange little instrument called the Solina String Ensemble were used to generate an authentic sound. Brass instruments were used to embellish and create tension, and also keep the music consistent with the intended Jazz/Rock feel.

Joe carefully sought the ideal locations for recording each instrumental part to ensure the right sound. The score was recorded in a variety of locations across London including Court Lodge and Bush Hall.

Composer:
Joe Hastings

Producer:
Gary Moore

Musicians:
Tenor Sax – Duncan Eagles,
Baritone Sax – Ben Mallinder,
Trumpet – Mark Perry,
Drums – Oliver Irving,
Keyboards, Piano – Sam Butterworth,
Guitars, Basses, Keyboards, Percussion – Joe Hastings, Gary Moore

In order to age Joe Hastings for his role as ‘O’Neil O’Hara,’ director Oliver Irving enlisted professional special makeup effects and prosthetic designer Matthew Smith.

Oliver and Joe first met with Matthew in London, where he used Alginate to take a quick face cast of Joe. Using the cast, Matthew made a plaster face, which he took back to his workshop to fit for prosthetic appliances. With 'Mickey' from the Rocky films as a reference, Matthew found pieces that would best fit Joe’s features and transform him into retired cop ‘O’Neil O’Hara.’

Makeup for the ‘O’Neil O’Hara’ character included a prosthetic nose, puffy eye bags, upper lids, a forehead and neck, plus some old sideburns and wiry eyebrows. To complete the effect, Smith gave Joe’s face a rough texture and painted broken veins and capillaries on his nose and cheeks, crusted up his lips and discoloured his teeth.

1) Special makeup effects designer Matthew Smith casts a mold of Joe Hasting's face using alginate; 2) In London's The Jolly Sisters pub, Matthew glues a prosthetic appliance onto Joe's neck; 3) Matthew continues the makeup application process - including wiry eyebrows - to age Joe into character; 4) Joe has been transformed into retired 'O'Neil O'Hara'

Matthew Smith is a special makeup effects and prosthetic designer based in London. He has wanted to do this since he was a kid, and has been working film industry for the past thirteen and a half years. Smith’s film and television credits include The Reader, The Constant Gardener, The Last Samurai, Resident Evil, Band of Brothers, and Gladiator, as well as the upcoming films Sherlock Holmes and London Boulevard.

CAST

• Tommy Delniros: Mike Pearce
• Captain Levine: Mitch Levine
• Earl Grey: Johnny White
• Dekonnik: Sam Butterworth
• O'Neil O'Hara: Joe Hastings
• April Malone: Kiss Taylor
• Hippolyte/Barbara Sotiropoulou: Tonia Sotiropoulou
• Prostitute: Monica Ozarek
• 80’s Wall Street Yuppie: Duffy Higgins
• Little Italy Restaurant Owner: Bob Marsanico
• KISS Gang Leader: Paul W. Downs
• KISS Gang Member 1: Adam Buzek
• KISS Gang Member 2: Jeffrey Tousey
• KISS Gang Member 3: Daniel Lane
• KISS Gang Member 4: Nicholas Evangelista
• KISS Gang Leader’s Mom: Patti Lane
• Cop with Donut: Chris Robinson
• Cop at Desk: Natasha Missick
• Lieutenant Doyle: Christopher Hoyle
• Officer Adrian Chipman: Greg Gregor
• Flashback Lieutenant: William Allgood
• Flashback Cop: Courtney Bunbury
• Flashback Cop at Tommy’s Car: Jaime Marsanico
• Police Detective: Ryan Hayes
• Crime Scene Police Detective 3: Robert Nessi
• Restaurant Customer: Kathryn Bascamot
• Amazonian 1: Stella Aba G
• Amazonian 2: Lucy Wright
• Attractive Girl 1: Hannah Partington
• Attractive Girl 2: Liberty Haynes
• Jail Inmate 1: Doug Drucker
• Jail Inmate 2: Reed Cramer
• Jail Inmate 3: Michael Lemmon
• Girl with Dog: Jeannine Corbo
• Dog: Dublin
• Cyclone Mechanic: Jose Rivera



CREW

• Writer / Director: Oliver Irving
• Producer / Executive Producer: Duffy Higgins
• Production Manager: Cristin Shea
• Executive Producer (London): Mike Williams
• Executive Producer (London): Justin Kelly
• Production Assistant: LeighAnn Kocur
• Production Assistant: Ryan Hayes
• Production Company: A76 Productions
• Director of Photography: Lyn Moncrief
• Assistant Cameraman/Key Grip: Michael Lemmon
• Director of Photography (London): Paul Swann
• Grip/First Aid/Driver (London): Alex Stewart
• Production Sound Mixer: Jose Ochoa
• Boom Operator: Ryan Hayes
• Sound Engineer (London): Tim Barker
• Boom Operator (London): Alan MacFeely
• Costume Designer: Tina Latonero
• Assistant Costume Designer: Jeannine Corbo
• Costume Designer (London): Lucie Harvey
• Assistant Costume Designer (London): Tamsin Cheevers
• Hair & Make Up Artist: Jennifer Flemming
• Hair & Make Up Artist Assistant: Erica Whelan
• Hair & Make Up Artist (London): Liberty Haynes
• Prosthetics (London): Matt Smith
• Editor: Oliver Irving
• Sound Design: Matt Broadfoot
• Still Photographer: Greg Gregor
• Publicist: Jaime Marsanico
• Website Design: S. Jason Rodriguez



SPECIAL THANKS

• Maria - The Jolly Sister's Pub
• The Kelly Family
• The Sarah Needham Family
• Newark County Courthouse
• Benito II Restaurant
• Josh and Tara Greenspan
• The Coney Island neighborhood
• The Cyclone
• The City of New York & the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcast
• TJ Misny
• John Reis
• Clinique
• Ray-Ban
• Courier Car Rental
• Atlantic Video Services
• David Coen