Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, WI

Raven Software • Middleton, WI

3d • $126,800 - $234,580 • Onsite

About The Position

Join us in shaping the next era of Call of Duty, one of the most iconic titles in gaming. We are seeking a Cinematics Director to lead the creative vision for our next Call of Duty campaign, driving innovation and delivering unforgettable gameplay and cinematic experiences for millions of players around the globe. In this franchise-level role, you will collaborate with both the creative leadership to define the cinematic vision, as well as working close with highly creative teams to bring the vision to the game. From foundational gameplay to player immersion and storytelling, you'll be at the helm of a genre-defining title. This is an opportunity to leave your mark on one of the most passionate and engaged communities in gaming. If you're a visionary leader who thrives on collaboration, clarity, and creativity - we want to hear from you. This role is based in our Madison, WI office and follows an onsite work schedule of four days per week. Work arrangements may change at the company's discretion to meet business needs.

Requirements

• A proven Cinematic Director with 10+ years of experience in game development or Film, with a strong understanding of cinematic and storytelling language.
• 5+ years in leadership roles, successfully guiding cross-functional teams from concept to ship
• Proven critical eye for narrative timing and pacing, camera and cinematic language, physical acting beats, and emotional continuity
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity and transforming big ideas into clear, impactful deliverables
• Strong interpersonal skills to guide talent on the stage and coordinate with technical crew members under tight schedules, as well as inspire teams and influence stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• In-depth knowledge of the Call of Duty franchise, its gameplay DNA, and community culture
• A portfolio of projects that showcase bold ideas, innovative systems, or groundbreaking experiences
• Strong animation skills and able to jump into scene work to guide and assist team

Responsibilities

• Define the Cinematic Vision: Working with Creative leadership to define and bring the cinematic vision to both in-game cinematics and pre-rendered movies.
• Directing Talent: Lead actors on the motion capture (PCAP) stage or in the recording booth, helping them understand character motivations and scene context and bring to the scene performance.
• Managing Mocap Shoots: Work with stage team to ensure technical and creative setups prior and during shoots are solved, ensuring all spatial blocking and movements marked are defined and match virtual environment.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with Creative Leadership, animators, artists, writers and others to ensure the captured data translates effectively into the final cinematic scene and vision for both in-game and pre-render cinematics.
• Script and Scene Breakdown: Work with Narrative team to translate scripts to cinematics and drive planning for stage, emotional arcs, and technical requirements for each shot.
• Champion our culture: collaboration, inclusion, and player-first thinking

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed