Outsource Game Cinematic Director - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

Activision Blizzard•Irvine, CA

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Outsource Game Cinematic Director represents Blizzard Entertainment in collaboration with third-party vendors to deliver high-quality cinematics for various IPs. This role involves partnering with internal game teams to define the cinematic's vision, story, and purpose, then managing external artistic teams to execute it within budget, schedule, and quality constraints. As the primary liaison, the director handles all internal and external reviews, feedback notes, revisions (kickbacks), approvals, and escalations, ensuring alignment between Blizzard's creative standards and outsourced deliverables while fostering strong vendor relationships. This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements. This is a 12-month temporary position.

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.

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
If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

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