Outsource Game Cinematic Director - Temp (SFD / Cinematics) at Activision-Blizzard

Irvine, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Gaming, EntertainmentIndustries

Requirements

13+ years' experience in cinematic direction or production within the game industry, with a strong portfolio of pre-rendered cinematics (e.g., trailers, in-game sequences)
Experience in overseeing an external vendor
Excellent verbal and written communication to effectively represent Blizzard externally and help align internal stakeholders
Ability to balance creative vision with practical constraints, with a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget
Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), animation pipelines, and industry standards for high-fidelity cinematics
Passion for storytelling, epic narratives, and Blizzard's IPs; self-motivated with strong problem-solving abilities
Ability to shift working hours to accommodate working with a vendor in a different time zone

Responsibilities

Partner with Blizzard stakeholders to understand creative goals and expand ideas to elevate the project and effectively communicate that vision to the external vendor
Develop and pitch story ideas in collaboration with writers, storyboard artists and editors, incorporating notes from stakeholders in order to get alignment
Provide clear, detailed direction to external production teams in dailies and reviews, maintaining awareness of production status, timelines, and quality
Approve all outsourced assets and shots before final internal review, ensuring they meet Blizzard's quality level
Partner closely with the project producer to monitor vendor performance against budgets and schedules, escalating issues, negotiating adjustments and providing feedback as needed
Collaborate with composers, sound designers, and external vendors to replace temp sound with original elements, preserving the piece’s emotional and storytelling intent
Guide casting for voice-over with stakeholders and the Voice Over Director, managing external recording sessions as needed
Oversee post-production processes with outsourcers, including final edits, VFX integration, and quality checks, ensuring timely delivery and approval

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

CinematicsStoryboardingVendor ManagementCreative DirectionProduction ReviewsAsset ApprovalStory DevelopmentDailies

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this role?

This is anticipated to be a hybrid work position with some work on-site and some work-from-home, with the potential home studio in Irvine, CA. The company is open to exploring other options including remote work arrangements based on individual circumstances.

How long is this position?

This is a 12-month temporary position.

What experience is required for this role?

Candidates need 13+ years' experience in cinematic direction or production within the game industry, with a strong portfolio of pre-rendered cinematics such as trailers and in-game sequences, plus experience overseeing external vendors.

What key skills are needed for this position?

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required to represent Blizzard externally and align internal stakeholders, along with the ability to balance creative vision.

What makes a strong candidate for this Outsource Game Cinematic Director role?

A strong candidate brings 13+ years of cinematic direction experience in games with a portfolio of pre-rendered cinematics, proven vendor management skills, excellent communication, and the ability to manage budgets, schedules, and creative alignment.

Activision-Blizzard

Develops and publishes interactive video games

About Activision-Blizzard

Activision Blizzard develops and publishes video games, creating popular franchises like World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. Their games are available on various platforms and cater to a wide range of players, from casual mobile users to serious console and PC gamers. The company generates revenue through game sales, in-game purchases, subscriptions for games like World of Warcraft, and advertising through Activision Blizzard Media. They also profit from merchandise and esports events. What sets Activision Blizzard apart from competitors is its focus on high-quality gaming experiences that promote community and social interaction among players. The company's goal is to provide engaging and immersive entertainment that connects gamers worldwide.

Santa Monica, CaliforniaHeadquarters

1979Year Founded

$975MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Entertainment, GamingIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Mental Health Support

Wellness Program

Relocation Assistance

Risks

Employee morale issues due to layoffs could affect productivity and innovation.

Backlash from the Microsoft acquisition may impact game development and community trust.

Loss of key talent to competitors could weaken strategic capabilities.

Differentiation

Activision Blizzard boasts iconic franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

The company excels in cross-platform play, enhancing player engagement and retention.

Activision Blizzard's esports division capitalizes on growing viewership and sponsorships.

Upsides

Microsoft's acquisition could provide resources for innovation and expansion.

Cloud gaming services offer a broader audience without high-end hardware needs.

Augmented reality gaming experiences present new opportunities for franchise expansion.

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