A design that incorporates a photograph taken at Hayward Field may become the movie poster for “Silent Hill,” an upcoming movie based on the popular video game.
University junior James Rodberg, an artist and digital arts major, is among the top five finalists of the Silent Hill Poster Contest, which had more than 2,050 initial entries nationwide, Rodberg was told by contest officials when he was informed of being a finalist.
“I got the phone call when I was at work,” Rodberg said. “I tried calling people I knew, but everyone was busy – I couldn’t get anyone on the phone to tell them.”
The Illinois native has made sure to get the word out, however, since the contest winner is decided by online voting. The deadline to vote for the best poster is today at noon.
Voting is taking place at www.sonypictures.com/movies/silenthill.
If his poster is selected, Rodberg will win a prize package of $2,500 cash, 25 tickets to a local promotional screening of the movie in or around April, a limited run of the winning poster, the winner’s poster as a mobile phone wallpaper and a “Silent Hill” merchandise prize pack, according to the contest rules.
The winner will be announced on April 27 after it is verified that the participant complied to all rules, said Jonathan Baker of Tristar Pictures. The company will run a set quantity of the winning poster and distribute them across the nation, Baker said.
If he wins, Rodberg said he will save half of the money spend half on equipment for his growing personal studio.
The contest was narrowed to 50 semi-finalist on Jan. 18 by online voting, which had 180,000 votes, Rodberg said. The semi-finalists were judged by Columbia Tristar Marketing Group, Inc. on marketability, creativity, originality and effective use of control.
“I thought I had a good chance at the top 50,” Rodberg said. “I didn’t think I’d get in the top five.”
Rodberg’s poster incorporates a picture he took under the grandstands at Hayward Field. The silhouette of the girl was originally one of the still shots from the movie given to contest participants to use, Rodberg said, but he used the stills more for inspiration than material.
“I’m an artist, so I want to use my own stuff when I can,” he said.
After going through the still shots, Rodberg went though his photo collection and noticed the shot of Hayward Field. To convey the gritty and mysterious feel of the movie to viewers, he spent about four hours on editing and manipulating the image before he submitted the final piece, he said.
Rodberg’s creative spirit started to flourish in high school when he began teaching himself computer graphics. He is mainly self-taught in 3D and 2D computer graphics, photography, Web site design and clay sculpture, he said.
“It’s an interesting way to learn,” he said. “At times, it’s hard to stay focused. When you have a problem, you don’t have anyone to assist you, you just gotta figure it out yourself.”
He spent two and a half years at Lane Community College and is in his second term at the University. The pace of classes was at first too slow for him, but he enjoys the pace of more advanced classes he now takes. A personal life goal of his is to have his name in the credits of a major feature film.
Rodberg’s artwork portfolio can be viewed at www.bipstudio.com.
Correction:
Because of a reporter’s error in Friday’s “Hayward dreams of Hollywood,” the Emerald incorrectly reported when the winner of the Silent Hill Poster Contest will be announced. The announcement will occur Feb. 27.
The Emerald regrets the errors.

Contact the people, faith and culture reporter at [email protected]