Student Designs Marketing Poster for Award-winning Feature Film

East Sussex College Hastings student, Hayden Powell, has helped design the artwork for an award-winning feature film ‘Splinter’ - directed by David Bryant, formerly of ESC Hastings’ reprographics team.

The award-winning feature film, Splinter, starring Coronation Street star Bill Fellows and actress Jane Asher, is a psychological horror film that has received rave reviews since its digital UK release in November 2022.

David, who worked at the College’s Hastings campus for ten years as a reprographics technician, directed the film and seeked the expertise of ESC Hastings student Hayden to assist with designing marketing material. Hayden is currently in his second year of studies at ESC Hastings, in the middle of his Level 3 Animation, Games Art & Film VFX course.

Speaking to the College about the release of Splinter and its early success, David said, “I'm very happy that the film has found a distributor and is now out for the public to see. The film won Best Actor and Best Director at the Restricted View Horror Film Festival. It's a very proud moment to be praised after you've put in so much work. It's a great feeling!

“Hayden created our poster artwork which the distributor loved. He's incredibly talented! I was introduced to him by his tutor Simon Cooper who knew I was looking for an artist to create the poster.”

ESC Hastings student Hayden, who designed artwork for the film’s lead poster, said, “Working with David on this project was an incredibly rewarding experience. As a young digital artist, I've had a number of opportunities in the past to create work alongside independent clients for their various projects, but David's ‘Splinter’ stands out to me as an absolute highlight. I've always loved indie projects, especially films produced under restricted conditions or with minimal budget, and the aforementioned is such a wonderful, local example - and such a pleasure to be a small part of!

“I was able to get in contact with David through a prompt from one of my course tutors, Simon Cooper. The opportunity really stemmed from my previous portfolio work, which was primarily digital poster designs for my favourite shows and films, such as BBC's Doctor Who. In light of the offer, I was in-contact with David within a few hours, and we began working through various concepts and ideas to achieve the final design. It was certainly a surprise when I was offered the job, but I hold no regrets in saying 'yes'...!”

Speaking on his course and where he hopes to be in the future, Hayden said, “My creative journey so far has spanned so many mediums, from digital posters to video game soundtracks, and even a 2D animated film... so narrowing down my aspirations is no easy task. I think the clearest goal for me, however, is to continue my academic studies into a University degree, to guide me toward even more opportunities and open doors for a career in the industry. No matter what path I take, though, I owe so many of my achievements to my tutors, peers and studies at Hastings.

“I could sing praises about Animation, Games Art & Film VFX all day, but to keep it short; yes [I’d recommend this course to others]! Over the two years on the course, I have gained so much experience, guidance and motivation toward the creative industry, and some wonderful opportunities - including working on David's ‘Splinter’ film - which I simply couldn't have without my brilliant tutors. The studies cover everything from concept art to 3D modelling, allowing a truly vast toolbox for skills and knowledge to blossom. The creative field that this course represents will continue growing and growing, and diving into it is worth the plunge, no matter how much experience you may have with it.”

Splinter is now available to rent or buy in the UK and USA on Amazon Prime. Click here for more details.