————————Biography
Michael Drew is a multi award-winning Australian composer for film, television and games based in LA. After his first film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, his career has been an continuous upward journey. Creatively and uniquely scoring multiple projects, his work has continued to pick up multiple recognitions and in 2022 Michael was awarded the APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award. The APRA AMCOS PDA’s are an annual honour that exist to support songwriters and composers at a pivotal stage in their respective careers. Michael recently completed the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive for 2023.
His musical approach is diverse with a catalogue covering multiple different genres and styles. He has extensive recording experience working with the Hollywood Studio Symphony & European Recording Orchestra playing multiple roles from composer, orchestrator, conductor and score supervisor.
Michael currently holds a Master of Fine Arts (First Class Honours) in Music for Motion Pictures and Contemporary Media from the Film Scoring Academy of Europe. Michael wrote his Masters thesis researching spatial audio and its use for immersive music composition. Michael strives to innovate and find new approaches for immersive storytelling experiences. Much of Michael's creative approach delves deep into sound design, melodic driven themes, out-of-the-box thinking, and pushing the technology and the boundaries of music composition.
Currently Michael is scoring a wildlife film project in immersive 3D audio, exploring this developing approach to scoring and discovering exciting new pathways and doors.
Michael prides himself on bringing passion and enthusiasm to every project, and to give each project its own identifiable sound. With a keen insight in scoring to visuals and storytelling, an outstanding work ethic, deep imagination and an open mind, no concept is too complex for this experienced and talented composer.
Testimonials———————
"Collaborating with Michael Drew on film projects is an absolute dream. He has scored several of our productions so far and we can't wait to work with him again. Sometimes we design projects to make sure music is featured more, just so we can work with Michael. We'll make sure to collaborate with him on every single project, because his intense work ethic, ear for detail and raw genius will guarantee the perfect score."
Hired Goons (Film & Television Company)
"Working with Michael Drew was one of the creative and professional highlights of Omad Productions short film Shiver. Michael brings passion, originality and incredible story telling to his work as a composer. We were completely blown away with the score he composed for Shiver, it was complex, rich in texture, beautiful and delivered exactly what we needed for the film to enhance and tell the story. A compelling and exciting new artist, we have already made plans to work with him again."
Damian Overton (Director)
"Working with Michael was an incredible experience. Not only were his creative abilities rich and varied as he delivered our film's soundtrack, but his deep understanding of the story meant he was always ready for any challenge we threw at him. Michael worked quickly and efficiently which allowed for a smooth post-production process. I've since recommended him for other projects and cannot wait to work with him again. His skill is impressive and we were very thankful for what he brought to our story!"
Danielle Redford (Producer)
"I met Michael by chance one night and his enthusiasm and passion for music captured me so much I literally begged him to compose my short film. Fast forward a few months and after only one draft of the score Michael had hit the nail on the head. Flawlessly he was able to capture musically what visually we had tried to achieve and complimented the film we had!"
Mitchell Craig (Director)
"Michael really took the time to understand the creative direction of our project and created some really wonderful tracks. We really appreciated that he was willing and able to engage with our creative process and understood our needs."
Peter Mills (VR Developer)
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
2024
LA IndieFEST Film Awards | Award of Excellence For Original Score - Arlo And The Sea
2023
SF3 Film Festival | Best Original Score - Arlo And The Sea
Top Indie Film Awards | Best Music - Arlo And The Sea
2022
APRA AMCOS | Professional Development Award
New York International Film Awards | Best Soundtrack - Just Like Me
2021
Australian Screen Industry Network | Best Composer/Original Score (Certificate of Highest Distinction) - Luca and Iso
The 48 Hour Film Project | Best Music - Belle: The Unsung Musical
2020
Flow Festival and Film Market | Best Original Score - Teal Soldiers
New York International Film Awards | Best Main Theme - Luca and Iso
JMC Academy Martini Awards | Best Score - True Blue
Oniros Film Awards | Best Main Theme (Honorable Mention) - Luca and Iso
*Gralha International Film Awards | Best Soundtrack - Luca and Iso
*Indie Shorts Film Festival | Best Original Music - Luca and Iso
2019
*Australian Screen Industry Network | Best Composer - Gertrude
*Prisma Rome Independant Film Awards | Best Original Score - Percy
2018
Australian Screen Industry Network | Best Composer - Papercut
Melbourne City Independent Film Awards | Best Original Score - Papercut
Oniros Film Awards Italy | Best Main Theme - Papercut
Feel The Reel International Film Festival | Best Original Score - Papercut
Independant Shorts Awards Los Angeles | Honourable Mention for Best Original Score - Papercut
*Griffith Film School | Best Original Music - Ctrl.Alt.Dlt.
2017
Sydney Indie Film Festival | Best Music Score - Shiver
Australian Screen Industry Network | Certificate of Highest Achievement - Teal Soldiers
*Canadian Alternate Film Festival | Best Original Score - Shiver
*Orinos Film Awards | Best Soundtrack - Shiver
2016
Australian Screen Industry Network | Best Composer - Shiver
*JMC Academy Martini Awards | Best Score - The Dolphin
2015
Griffith University Film School | Most Outstanding Music - The Neon King
*Nominated