Michael Johnson is a video game, TV, and film composer living and working near Los Angeles.
Currently seeking scoring projects for video games, animation, TV, and films.
Before that, singer/songwriter, orchestrator and arranger for independent pop bands.
I have over twenty years of experience writing, performing, and recording music with three years of experience scoring to picture under my belt. I have written orchestral arrangements for the Decemberists, as well as for my own bands Reclinerland and Parks & Recreation. I have a Master’s Degree in Music Ed. from Portland State University and a post-graduate degree in Film Scoring from the Film Scoring Academy of Europe. I’m comfortable writing for everything from finger-style guitar to 52-piece orchestra. My rescore of the short animation Wing It! was a finalist in the 2024 ScoreRelief competition.
I love to give clients custom music that adds a ton of value to their finished product, and helps bring out the quality they’ve invested in their projects.
About
What clients are saying…
"Michael Johnson has an incredible ear for cinematic scores. Channeling greats like Ramin Djawadi, Erich Korngold, Ludwig Goransson, and John Williams, Michael creates music that ebbs and flows with drama, while driving and sustaining emotion. There are plenty of great composers out there, but few who have the narrative intuition that Michael has. I would trust him with any of my projects, no matter the genre.
-Mychal Sargent, Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker and creator of Story-Beats.com"
Wing It! (Rescore)
Video © Blender Foundation - studio.blender.org. Original Dialogues © Blender Foundation - studio.blender.org Original Sound Effects © Blender Foundation - studio.blender.org. Music by Michael Johnson © Zubsongs, Ltd.
Heaven…or? (Rescore)
Video © Blender Foundation
Music by Michael Johnson © 2024 Zubsongs, Ltd.
A Final “I Love You?” (Rescore)
Video © 2009 - 2016 Beacon Pictures, Experimental Pictures, ABC Signature. Music © 2024 Zubsongs, Ltd.
The Foundling (Rescore)
Directed by Barney Cokeliss. A Parallel Lines Film in association with Ridley Scott Productions. All Rights Reserved. Music by Micheal Johnson © 2023 Zubsongs, Ltd.
Yes.
Footage by Anastasia Shuraeva.
Music by Michael Johnson and © 2024, Zubsongs, Ltd.
Services
Original custom soundtracks for:
Television and Film
Video Games
Audiobooks
Tabletop RPG Sessions
Orchestral arrangements for bands
Music for Advertisements
Approach
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Scores are tailor-made to fit the needs of the project.
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Commitment to staying faithful to the creative vision of the director and the team.
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Regular Contact to ensure alignment of vision and progress.
Commitment to meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.
Book a call.
Need story-driven music?
My passion is to enhance your project with the music it deserves.
I write quality music that builds emotion for your characters and atmosphere for your world.
I’m a skillful producer that will deliver to you a great-sounding soundtrack.
I have a large library of sounds that will provide a compelling soundtrack to enhance your storytelling.
Music is the final process of making your film, game, or amazing.
I'm a composer who can communicate with you clearly without using too much musical mumbo jumbo.
Spring (Rescore)
© 2019 Blender Studios. All rights reserved.
Music by Michael Johnson and © 2023 Zubsongs, Ltd.
The Red Balloon (Rescore)
© 1956 Films Montsouris. All rights reserved.
Music by Michael Johnson and © 2023 Zubsongs, Ltd.
Otto & Uma
A hypothetical soundtrack for a nonexistent film about two lovers.
2619 Babylon
Hypothetical video game loop.
Video taken from Legend of Galactic Heroes and © 1988 Kitty Films. All rights reserved. Music by Michael Johnson and © 2022 Zubsongs, Ltd.
A Picaroon’s Tale
Footage from Old Morgan's Folly by Bryan Waters; © The Cue Tube.
Also Skull & Bones, © Ubisoft. All rights reserved.
Music by Michael Johnson and © 2023, Zubsongs, Ltd.
Galactic Blast
Epic battle music.
Music © 2024, Zubsongs, Ltd.
Pixel City
Ambient synthesizer music for 2D pixel games.
Music © 2024, Zubsongs, Ltd.
8-Bit Fight!
Footage from Sea of Stars; courtesy of Sabotage Studio. Music © 2024, Zubsongs, Ltd.
The Figure in White
Assassin’s Creed Cutscene rescore.
© Ubisoft. All rights reserved. Music by Michael Johnson and © Zubsongs, Ltd.
Boy vs Train (Rescore)
© The Weinstein Company. All Rights Reserved. Music by Michael Johnson and © 2023 Zubsongs, Ltd.
The Tragedy of MacBeth
Video: Екипна Работу No. 11. All rights reserved.
Music by Michael Johnson and © Zubsongs, Ltd.
Say It, Then
Breaking the Waves scene rescore.
© 1996 ARTE, Angus Films Productie, CANAL+.
Music by Michael Johnson and © Zubsongs, Ltd.
Love, or Stargazing?
© 2022 Zubsongs, Ltd.
Music by Michael Johnson and © 2023 Zubsongs, Ltd.
Experiments