FAQs

  • I’m a composer and artist who specializes in supporting distinct stories through music and sound. Because of my versatile background, I consider the full audio experience in my work. In the past 12 years of my career, I’ve also delivered as a producer, mixer, audio director, interactive sound designer, dialogue editor, UX sound designer, sonic brand strategist, and more. I’ve worked with large companies (Amazon, Google, Meta, etc.), small independent filmmakers, and almost everything in between. I love the intersection of tech and art and finding new ways to bring my music and sound to life through interactivity.

  • I usually get hired to compose music with unique story-driven sound design that is hybrid organic/synthetic or fully electronic. My music has been described as emotional, nostalgic, dynamic, and dark. I really enjoy writing for Horror, Drama, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, and Dark Comedy. More than anything building unique sonic worlds specific to the story is my specialty.

  • My approach adapts a bit for each project but I like to start by taking a literal approach, drawing inspiration from its core. For example, while writing for the film "The Internet Kills," I transformed dial-up modem sounds into a demo piece. I extracted a little melody hidden in the beeps and rearranged it to have a synth and a cello play them instead of the modem sounds. The theme included notes that were both positive sounding (major) and negative sounding (minor). This reflects how the internet can be both helpful and harmful. My goal is to create a unique sonic brand for each story that keeps the audience feeling the music, rather than hearing the music. 

  • I tend to do projects that I feel are challenging and that my music can enhance the emotional impact. I’m particularly drawn to stories that have distinct points of view, are taking risks, and are shaking up the way things are normally done. I strive to foster a fun and inclusive work environment for the team. When seeking collaborators, I prioritize those with a strong vision and who are open-minded and decisive.

  • When you’re writing for yourself, do whatever you want. When you’re composing for something else, do whatever is right for the story. In some cases, silence can be what’s best. Also, being a good composer and designer requires you to be a good listener. Really hearing and digesting what directors, producers, music editors, etc. are saying and turning that into actionable is more than half the job. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you just want to connect.

Endorsements

Bonnie Jean Tyer

Director / Filmmaker

"When it comes to skillful craft of horror and suspense composition, there's no one better than Mike Forst to create a spine-chilling and heart-pumping score that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Mike's ability to build tension, create suspense, find moments of levity, moments for the heart, and then come right back to evoke more fear is remarkable. He's a master storyteller who can weave an intricate web of soundscapes that perfectly complement the visuals and enhance the overall cinematic experience. His contribution to our film and the story enhancements his talents provided cannot be overstated. He's also an incredibly easy person to work with- quick, efficient, easygoing, with enthusiasm that can re-inspire any dampened post-production discouragement. We want Mike on all our films."

Beau Ferris

Director / Producer

"Mike Forst and his intrinsic ability to breathe life into a story through music are singular. After reading my script and having only one conversation about the material, I was blown away by his first pass at translating my words on the page into an aural opus. In addition to his musical ability, Mike is a joy to work with — without ego and constantly going above and beyond to ensure an honest convergence of narrative and music. His preliminary compositions were turned around and delivered so quickly because of his extraordinary ability to comprehend a storyteller's adjustments and notes. Mike's musical compositions, coupled with his collaborative method, will add a beautiful and distinctive sonic dessert course that will elevate any story."

Lucas Fraga Pacheco

Director / Writer / Supervising Animator, Pixar

"Mike Forst is proactive, organized, collaborative, and above all else, a brilliant composer and a storyteller at heart. Mike brought ideas to the score that not only complemented the story but helped inform my decision-making process as a director. Simply talking about the story with Mike was extremely motivating. Furthermore, his score had innovative and outside-the-box instrumentation and a unique atmosphere that was exciting, playful, and full of suspense. I would recommend Mike to anyone and would not hesitate to work with him again."

Stefan Schumacher

Director / Writer / Supervising Animator, Pixar

“I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with Mike on several films. Working with Mike as a composer has been an absolute highlight in my film-making career: It is a joy to observe him, up close, crafting an immersive score and finding innovative ways to elevate a film’s narrative; tirelessly hunting for unique instruments and sounds to find just the right way to capture the emotional stakes of the story and its characters. Collaborating with him is seamless and, simply speaking, a blast. In the end, he’s created several sophisticated, multi-faceted scores, which have excited audiences of all ages."“

Dan Clegg

Game & Designer, Baobab Studios

“Mike has scored a number of projects that I have worked on and, in each case, his music has elevated the game experience and brought depth and specificity to the story. Mike has a rare ability to capture the tone and mood of each scene, adding new levels of emotional engagement and creating unforgettable moments of gameplay. He is extremely professional and a pleasure to collaborate with.”

Eren Celeboglu & Ari Costa

Writer / Directors

“We had the privilege of collaborating with Mike Forst on our short, THE INTERNET KILLS. And we're not being hyperbolic to say that Mike created a sound and music that defined the world of our film. When we met Mike, he didn't have many credits to his name. But we were struck immediately by his work ethic and his boundless imagination. We sent him our director's cut, and Mike's first cue felt as if it had always been there. It is very rare, but Mike is a rare blend of someone who is technically gifted, but also unafraid to take risks. He is lovely to work with, and most importantly, he truly has a point of view as an artist. As Directors, we're never looking for someone to simply do the note...we're looking for artists whose own craft and storytelling elevate our film beyond what we ever imagined. Any director, producer, or filmmaker would be very lucky indeed to collaborate with Mike Forst.”

Michael Molinari

Founder, Studio Bean Games

“Working with Mike was as effortless as it was rewarding. With very little instruction needed, he was able to deliver the perfect music for our game with professionalism and speed. With over a dozen musicians involved, Mike's tracks went on to become the identity of the game, even being used in national television commercials. He is an obvious choice when it comes to getting results and quality.”

Jon Shamieh

Senior Audio Engineer, Apple

“I had the pleasure of working with Mike Forst for over a decade on many different projects and he just gets it. Mike always understands the specific tone and atmosphere we are trying to achieve and crafts a score that complements the story. His compositions are beautifully crafted and he’s fun to work with. I highly recommend Mike for any project that requires a strong and distinct musical voice.”

Elad Marish

Senior Producer / Founder, Swell Music + Sound

“Mike is a pleasure to work with. His commitment to the craft of composing, paired with his tremendous skill, in addition to his approachability and refined people skills, put him at the top of our list when we need custom music.”

Matt Nelson

Executive Producer, Yessian

“Mike is an incredibly creative and collaborative music partner. He takes direction, builds on it, and pushes it to new exciting territory. Mike has the intangible skill that many composers spend their entire careers chasing, he has a ’sound’ and a ‘voice’. It comes through in all his work bringing unique character and special touches that enhance everything around it. His knack for narrative and creating a sense of character is what every filmmaker should look for in a composer. His background in sound also comes through in his unique use of Timbre and texture in his music. You’ll struggle to find a more enthusiastic collaborator.”

Katie Lynn Stoddard

Producer

"I've heard music makes a movie, but was never proven this true until I worked with Mike Forst. Everything he delivers is gold and not just his musical masterpieces but in his knowledge, positive attitude, and overall gumption. His professionalism and organization are the most reassuring pleasantry to assist such talent when working on a monster of a piece. My heart drops, swells, amps, and flutters in all the right places thanks to this mastermind. I would be lucky to work beside him on any project, and I will hope to on everyone."

Connor Moore

Executive Creative Director, Listen.

“Over the last several years I’ve had the pleasure to work with Mike across projects for music, brand sound, and audio UX. He’s not only a seasoned professional, but, more importantly, brings new, creative approaches to projects and leaves ego at the door which is very important for this type of work. I highly recommend Mike to anyone needing sound or music for their projects.”

Jessie Kitchens

Senior Product Design Manager, Meta Reality Labs

"Having collaborated with Mike on both narrative storytelling and audio user experience design, I can testify to his voracious curiosity and intuitive expertise. He enters collaboration with an openness and enthusiasm that invites everyone to the table and raises the collective bar. Embracing both the art and science of audio experience creation, Mike’s work feels essential, stripped of the unnecessary. I would work with him again and again. "

Neth Nom

Director / Animation Lead

“Mike's passion for music and film is evident in his work as he constantly searches for new ways to push the medium forward. He has a strong sense of storytelling and understands the importance of music in setting the tone and mood of a film. His ability to enhance the director's vision and bring the story to life through music is what makes him stand out as a musician.”

Bio

Over the course of Mike Forst’s career, he has developed an evocative composition style described as emotional, nostalgic, dynamic, and dark. Mike's compositions are a blend of organic and synthetic sounds, crafted to keep the audience inside the story. 

Mike has lent his versatile musical know-how to a variety of films, TV shows, games, and products. With such a varied background, Mike prides himself in his ability to bring a fresh perspective and energy to any project. His expertise combined with his experience solving complex creative problems makes him an empathetic collaborator. 

In addition to working with big brands such as Netflix, Amazon, Meta, and Google, he has also collaborated with independent filmmakers with credits in movies from Pixar, Marvel, A24, and more. Mike is best known for his work on the muti-award-winning film, Sonder, and for his extensive work bringing first-of-their-kind products to life through interactive music and sound. 

Mike's a cinephile with a soft spot for movies like "Hereditary", "Mandy", and “Phantom Thread”. In the realm of aesthetics, Mike appreciates the nostalgia of Super 8 film and the warmth of analog tapes. He finds himself drawn to space-age design and the quirky pastel neighborhood in Edward Scissorhands. Mike Forst loves listening to spooky stories and prefers when it rains.