Film Music

Michael brings to film music a thematic approach with the acoustic orchestra, often supplemented by ethnomusical or electronic instrumentation.

Michael's film music career began with a personal recommendation from composer/director John Ottman (Valkyrie, X-Men 2) for THF Pictures' political thriller The F-Zone.  Only twenty-five at the time, Michael wrote for and conducted a Los Angeles union orchestral ensemble at O' Henry Studios.  His work brought him a string of subsequent feature projects, including MOR Entertainment's Home Room (starring Erika Christsensen, Victor Garber, and Busy Phillips) and Second Image Studio's Against Time (starring Robert Loggia and Craig T. Nelson). Michael's clients also include iWerks, WQED, Highbridge Audio, and John Wiley & Sons.  His music has been heard on Fox, Showtime TNN, Nickelodeon, Bravo, Animal Planet, Discovery Health Channel, Sy-Fy, Spike TV, and the Travel Channel.

Stream music with the player interface, or right-click a cue name to download it as an mp3 file.
 
Orchestral selections 
The Storm Gathers
Theme for orchestra with a fantasy/adventure feel.
 
First Kiss
Delicate, tender, and lyrical orchestral cue.
 
Tunnel Vision
Frenetic action cue that builds to a fortissimo climax.
 
Reflections
Introspective, for piano and strings.
 
Building the Bat
Energetic rhythmic/orchestral hybrid cue with a touch of mystery.
 
The Closing
An impish tango with a Mideastern flavor.
 
Flying From Arcadia
Soaring orchestral cue evoking flight and open spaces.
 
Flashback
Agitated and alien, for exotic percussion and shakuhatchi.
 
The Big Game
Anthemic, Americana-infused sequence with a triumphant climax.
 
Things to Do Before We Die
Elegiac and sweeping end title for oboe, piano, and orchestra.
 

Contemporary selections

 
Motown Groove
High-energy groove for horns and rhythm section.
 
Pugnacious Rex
 
Poker Night
Classic swing-style cue for big band
 
Unlikely Heroes (shorter)
Grooving, quirky theme for low saxes, drums, and exotic percussion.
 
Audrey and Einstein
Comedic, European-flavored tune for accordion and piano.
 
Coming Home
Affirmative and somewhat wistful cue for piano
 

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Watch and listen to a scene from Against Time, starring Ean Merrig, Robert Loggia, and Craig T. Nelson. (c) Second Image Studios.

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Watch and listen to a scene from Home Room, starring Erika Christensen, Busy Phillips, and Victor Garber. (C) MOR Entertainment
  Like to hear more? Click here for an extended demo selection.

© Michael Gordon Shapiro. All rights reserved.