Eichberger is just one of a number of alums who have gone on to behind-the-scenes careers in the arts, including Oscar-nominated producer Joey McFarland, Emmy-winning producer Matt Battaglia and current School of Music technician Brad Ritchie, who prepared scores for television shows including “The Flash,” “Supergirl” and “Blindspot.”
Joey McFarland, 97A — An American film producer from Louisville, McFarland co-founded Red Granite Pictures in 2010 where he manages daily operations, business divisions, personnel and creative development. He has produced multiple films, which include “Friends With Kids” and “Wolf of Wall Street” for which he received an Academy Award nomination; was executive producer of “Daddy’s Home;” and his latest film “Papillon” debuts this year.
Matt Battaglia, 88B — Battaglia has excelled in acting, producing, real estate and collegiate and professional football. An All-American Cardinal middle linebacker, Battaglia played in the NFL for two years. Since then, he has acted in over 90 films, network pilots and 30 national commercials. He won his first Daytime Emmy as executive producer for the show, “Last Shot with Judge Gunn,” appeared on HBO’s “True Detective” and was a guest lead in “NCIS: New Orleans.”
Brad Ritchie, 07MU — Currently on staff with the UofL School of Music as an engineering stage technician, Ritchie has prepared music for Halo 2 video game and television shows “The Flash” and “Supergirl.” In his role at UofL he provides back-of-house technical support for concerts, including audio recording, editing and CD production, and oversight and maintenance of the recording booth and lighting system.