From Huntsville to Holleywood

A Conversation with Jim Eberle

By Nifemi Bola

Jim Eberle has had the opportunity to put the finishing touches on various film and television productions and trailers throughout his extensive tenure in Hollywood. As Senior Finishing Artist for the global award-winning post-production company, Company3, Eberle's work includes contributions to trailers for two box office hits of the famed Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Avengers: Endgame" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home." He also worked on seasons five and six of the hit HBO television series "Game of Thrones," which received Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.

Before Eberle became an award-winning finishing artist, he was a Sam Houston State University student, learning what he needed to launch his successful career. Eberle graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in radio, television, and film and a minor in physical science.

"I was introduced to the radio, television, and film department and just kind of fell into it and loved it," Eberle said. "I wanted to get into acoustics and recording, and so I kind of had to go through that department to do that."

Since 1981, SHSU has evolved considerably. Where radio, television, and film was an all-encompassing degree, today, students can study various concentrations at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Degree programs include concentrations in film and TV production, broadcast production, multiplatformjournalism, and more. Despite these changes, the knowledge Eberle was instilled with remains impactful in his successful career. One thing he valued most about his time at SHSU was the hands-on experience he was provided with.

"I think one of the most important things in education is hands-on. You can read a book, you can look at theory, but until you put the camera in your hand and you see what it does for you, what your possibilities are, you really don't understand the business and the opportunities that might be there for you," Eberle said.

If you can see yourself doing it, you can do it.

To this day, SHSU is still doing just that, providing students with numerous hands-on experiences such as internships, independent studies, and even operating the school radio station KSHU-FM 90.5 The Kat.

"I had to create a presentation for one of my TV production classes, and honestly, my mind drew a blank on what to do. I love music and started playing drums at nine, so I got the idea to take one of my favorite songs, 'Aw Leah' by Donnie Iris, and shoot a story. I found someone to play the main character and a few extras, and I shot each of the verses and chorus and some b-roll. Once done shooting, I edited the footage together to the music to create a music video," Eberle said.

"You have to remember this is 1979-1980, so MTV wasn't around yet. I loved that single-camera, film-style type of shooting. I must say, it was a hit with the class. It was fun to tie the things we love together." Eberle's love of music ultimately provided him with an avenue into Hollywood.

"I think the big break was when I started working with Dick Clark, and so I did the American Music Awards, and every year for three years, he had me do that," Eberle said. "There was something that he saw in me that he liked."

Before television producer Dick Clark noticed Eberle's talent, his former department chair, the late Robert Eubanks, recognized his potential. Eberle describes Eubanks' guidance and mentorship as a big inspiration and why he sums up his time at SHSU with the word "grateful."

"He made me the general manager of the TV station for the last year that I was here, and he did everything he could to keep pulling me into that. I was terrible at radio, and I don't know why I was good at sound mixing, but I was terrible at radio," Eberle said. "But he saw something in me, and he just gave me that encouragement that kind of made me feel like if I put my mind to it, I could do it. And I think that is what really made a huge difference in my life. If you can see yourself doing it, you can do it.

"He challenged me and gave me a couple assignments to do for the school. He mentored me throughout my college career in spite of myself, and because of that, I am forever grateful. I truly had a mindset that I wanted to be the best at whatever I chose because he made me believe I could, as did the other teachers in the department. He was planted in my path, and I am grateful for that."

"I truly had a mindset that I wanted to be the best at whatever I chose because he made me believe I could, as did the other teachers in the department. He was planted in my path and I am grateful for that."

The College of Arts and Media's faculty continues to be populated by experienced educators who are passionate about teaching and preparing students for their careers. Through the guidance of faculty and various programs and opportunities, SHSU provides students with the ability to network, which Eberle believes to be of immense value even though it looks different today than it did 40 years ago.

"Back then, there wasn't an internet—no cell phones. You couldn't look a company up and just go in there and apply for a job. The jobs weren't listed online. Most jobs were found in magazines –– trade magazines like shoot and post magazines," Eberle said. "Now networking is very common. You can email somebody or text somebody. It is a lot more open, but the difference between then and now is networking and communication are extremely important," Eberle said. "I think we learn a lot about our industry when we look back at its history."

You can read a book, you can look at a theory, but until you put a camera in your hand and you see what it does for you, what your possibilities are, you really don't understand the business and the opportunities that might be there for you.

Throughout his time working in Hollywood, Eberle has had the opportunity to experience the industry's evolution. From tape-based formats to the emerging presence of AI, Eberle believes that the effectiveness of the evolving industry and its future lay not in the technology itself but in the hands of those who wield it.

"People would want to maintain a constant level of creativity without introducing something that might disrupt that. I think AI could be a great asset, but I think it could also be a huge liability if used incorrectly. It really kind of falls into the hands of us," Eberle said. "One thing that hasn't changed is that person running it, the creativity and the vision that they have to utilize it." As he nears retirement, Eberle expressed his belief that there is unmatched value in sharing what he has learned. "I think it is a natural progression for somebody who has gone through a 40-something-year career to want to give back and see the next generation go out there and make a huge change for the better," Eberle said.

Push the boundaries a little bit and really help build the future of the industry. It is not a nine-to-five job, and if you really love it, it's not a job.

"I can share experiences I've had and spark interest in someone that then ignites something in them to explore and push boundaries, which in turn grows our abilities and the development of technology. I love it when I hear 'what if…,' it means somebody is excited about what they're doing. I can take my 42 years of 'what ifs' to motivate the next 20 years, plus I learn from the new talent of today to better understand how to not only grow their perspective, but mine as well!"

"I have countless stories of doing visual effects for various projects. I worked on a MC Hammer video, '2 Legit 2 Quit' and he actually came in the room, had his people move the back furniture out so he could practice his dance steps for a newer song. You just don't find those kinds of stories sitting in a classroom," Eberle said. "I can share a couple of experiences like that and use it to motivate and make the image one might have of the industry real and tangible. I like that and still get excited thinking what will come from that."

Eberle encourages current students interested in working in the same industry as him to prepare for its demanding nature and to take advantage of the avenues provided to express themselves.

"Push the boundaries a little bit and really help build the future of the industry. It is not a nine-to-five job, and if you really love it, it's not a job. Careers take a lot of your life, so be ready for that," Eberle said. "It's a global business so I would say, open up your mind to the world."