CLICK HERE to launch my Score Demo Reel
Here is a link to “The River Never Sleeps”, a youtube video of a recording session with a 40 piece orchestra at FAMES as part of a hybrid score I wrote, orchestrated, mixed, and video edited.
BIO
Mike Caral is an award-winning film composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans a wide range of genres and mediums. A versatile musician with a command of piano, guitar, orchestral composition, and electronic music, Mike creates scores that serve the story first—using organic melodies, unexpected harmonies, atmospheric textures, and dynamic arrangements to deepen the emotional impact of the screen.
Since 2020, Mike has composed scores for more than 25 films and counting, building ongoing creative partnerships with multiple filmmakers. His work has earned awards at festivals including Horror Hotel and The Indie Gathering. Equally comfortable working with live musicians, virtual instruments and synthesizers, Caral’s scores range from atmospheric sound design and intimate thematic writing to sweeping orchestral arrangements and high-energy jazz.
With a particular focus on documentary, drama, and horror, Mike brings a highly adaptable musical voice to every project. His latest feature films Devious Intent and They’re Coming to Get You are both slated to debut in fall 2026.
A lifelong musician, Mike began his musical journey playing in rock bands in high school before pursuing more formal musical studies in college. He is a member of the Society of Composers & Lyricists and ASCAP.
Awards and Nominations
2024 – Nominated for Best Original Score at the Indie Film Awards Burbank CA
2023 – 3rd Place Indie Gathering Music Video Contest for the video in the link above.
2022 – Finalist in the Indie Gathering Film Festival Scoring Contest
2022 – Finalist in the Horror Hotel Film Festival Scoring Contest
2021- Finalist in the Indie Gathering Film Festival Scoring Contest
2021- Finalist in the Horror Hotel Film Festival Scoring Contest
2020- Honorable Mention in the Indie Gathering Film Festival Scoring Contest
2020 -Honorable Mention in the Horror Hotel Film Festival Scoring Contest
Recent Film Projects and Collaborations (Director) Genre
2026 They’re Coming to Get You (Gaines Strouse) Psychological Thriller Feature
2026 Devious Intent (Mark Byrne) Crime Drama Feature & Trailer
2026 Open Up! (Tyler Thomas) Claustrophobic Thriller
2026 Killer Party (Hemant Kumar) Dark Comedy
2025 Sinful Debt (Hemant Kumar) Supernatural Thriller
2025 Bright Lights Dark Shadows (Micah Stoll) Thriller Short
2025 Belly Button (Ademola Richards ) Mini-series 6-episode Coming of Age Drama
2025 The Bunglers (Kurtis Griffin) Comedy
2025 Getting Even (Tyler Thomas) Dark Comedy, Hitman
2024 Blood and Breakfast (Mark Byrne) Whodunnit Horror Feature
2024 Clark V.Fox: Dragonfly on the Wall (Mark Byrne) Documentary Feature
2024 Repentance (Tyler Thomas) Drama
2024 Blood and Breakfast Trailer (Mark Byrne) Bombastic trailer
2024 The Final Goodbye (Tyler Thomas) Drama
2024 300K Cash (Tyler Thomas) Crime Drama & Comedy
2024 Brutal Flowers Logo (Tyler Thomas) audio logo
2023 Alvin, the Enlightened (Michelle David) Outdoors, finding meaning
2023 Realm of Creation (Nic White). The 3 ghosts of Procrastination
2023 Les Noyes (TJ Cooley). WWI War espionage drama
2023 The Dark Side of Dawn (Tj Cooley) Supernatural Horror
2023 Cacodemon (Tyler Thomas) Supernatural Horror
2023 Ariel – When Doves Cry (Amy McKorkle) Emotional Crime Drama
2022 Momentum collaborative rescore projects – Dramas
2022 For Love and Blood (Hemant Kumar). Zombie,Love
2021 The Perfect Family (Micah Stoll) Disturbing Obsession, Horror
2021 Dysfunctional Family Practice (Phillip Anjin) Medical Comedy web series
2020 Alvin the Alien (Michelle David) Sci-Fi
Music Videos (self-produced)
2025 In the Morning Live studio recording of an ad hoc jazz piano trio
2025 Minnesota overdub recording process piano, synth bass, guitar
2024 Three Meditations Meditation music and photography
2023 The River Never Sleeps Composed, orchestrated, and mixed an original piece for a 40-piece orchestra.
To collaborate on music or film or video projects that need custom compositions and/or sound design, or for a custom niche playlist for your project, please contact me at this link. Below are links to my artist pages on your favorite streaming platforms
