Cinematics Director

Epic Games•Cary, NC

About The Position

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating. Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. In the Cinematics Team, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in realtime. We are in the early stages of this growth in realtime quality work and we are growing quickly and implementing various techniques and ideas to improve what can be done in Unreal Engine. Our team is one of the few at the forefront of delivering innovation, through cinematic quality visuals.

Requirements

A portfolio or reel demonstrating short-form directing, character-driven storytelling, strong comedic instincts, and visual storytelling.
Directing XP across animation, cinematic trailers, commercials, digital shorts, games, or other short-form entertainment.
Strong cinematic fundamentals, including shot design, composition, camera movement, editing, pacing, and performance.
Hands-on XP with Unreal Engine and Sequencer; familiarity with Control Rig workflows.
A collaborative mindset and comfort developing ideas through brainstorming, rapid iteration, and shared creative ownership.
A distinct creative point of view and willingness to challenge assumptions while remaining open to feedback.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt quickly as creative direction and priorities evolve.
Ability to communicate creative intent across Animation, Layout, Lighting, FX, and technical teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience directing actors, performance capture, or motion capture sessions.
Background in animation, storyboarding, editing, or visual development.
Familiarity with modeling, skinning, rigging, or technical art.
Interest in emerging animation and filmmaking technologies, including procedural and AI-assisted workflows.
Scripting or technical art knowledge, including Python or Blueprints.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with our directors and discipline leads to define the creative vision, story, tone, and visual language for Fortnite cinematic trailers and short-form content.
Develop and pitch original story and comedy ideas, taking them from early concept through final delivery.
Work hands-on in Unreal Engine 5, building and iterating sequences in Sequencer.
Translate scripts and storyboards into compelling shots through composition, camera movement, performance, pacing, and visual comedy.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously while synthesizing feedback from Marketing, Art Direction, Game Direction, and other creative partners.
Partner across Animation, Layout, Lighting, FX, Production, and Technical Art to bring the creative vision to life.
Collaborate with the Animation Director on performance and motion capture, and oversee scene assembly in Unreal Engine.
Communicate ideas quickly through storyboards, draw-overs, animatics, rip-o-matics, and other visual tools.
Explore emerging tools and workflows that help the team iterate quickly and push creative quality.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision HRA
Long Term Disability
Life Insurance
401k with competitive match
Robust mental well-being program through Modern Health (free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents)
Employee events
Company-wide paid breaks
Unlimited PTO
Sick time
Paid sabbatical for 7 years of employment