Cinematic Director – Art Center

Snail Games USA•Beverly Hills, CA

8d•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a Cinematic Director to define and elevate real-time cinematic storytelling across multiple Unreal Engine projects. This role operates within the Art Center as a cross-project domain authority responsible for shaping cinematic standards, guiding mocap-driven execution, and delivering high-impact narrative sequences. This is not a project-embedded production role. You will work across teams to evaluate cinematic execution, identify weaknesses, propose solutions, establish scalable workflows, and step in hands-on when critical execution is required. You will collaborate closely with design, engineering, and external mocap partners to shape compelling in-game storytelling experiences. You are also expected to actively explore and leverage emerging AI-assisted production tools to accelerate previs, editorial iteration, and concept validation. This includes using AI to rapidly prototype narrative ideas, test visual approaches, and improve pipeline efficiency where appropriate. AI is viewed as a production accelerator, not a replacement for craft.

Requirements

Proven experience directing or leading real-time cinematics within Unreal Engine
Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine (UE4 or UE5), including Sequencer
Demonstrated ability to edit narrative sequences with strong pacing and emotional clarity
Experience working with motion capture performance integration
Ability to operate independently and propose actionable solutions to ambiguous problems
Comfort providing cross-team feedback and influencing without relying on large reporting structures
Strong organizational skills for planning shoots, timelines, and execution phases
Unreal Engine Experience: Proficiency with Unreal Engine, preferably UE4 or UE5

Nice To Haves

Experience building cinematic pipelines from early-stage foundations
Experience collaborating with distributed or international teams
Familiarity with virtual production workflows
Background in both game cinematics and interactive narrative experiences
Experience integrating cinematics into gameplay systems
Experience leveraging AI tools for previs, narrative prototyping, or editorial acceleration

Responsibilities

Define and elevate real-time cinematic standards across multiple Unreal Engine projects
Lead in-engine cinematic execution using Unreal Sequencer
Direct motion capture shoots in collaboration with external mocap studios and internal teams
Translate narrative goals into compelling shot composition, pacing, and emotional beats
Independently edit and finalize cinematic sequences end-to-end
Monitor cross-project cinematic health and proactively identify risks or workflow inefficiencies
Develop clear solution proposals before escalation to senior leadership
Establish scalable pipelines for integrating mocap performances into Unreal
Provide direct, constructive feedback to distributed teams (US, Poland, Suzhou)
Step in hands-on during high-priority or high-risk moments to stabilize execution
Operate with delegated authority from the Senior Director of Art within the cinematic domain
Comfort experimenting with AI-assisted production tools to optimize creative workflows and validate concepts quickly