Cinematics Director (Call of Duty)

Location: Madison, Wisconsin office; onsite four days per week. Work arrangements may change according to business needs.

Salary: $126,800–$234,580 annual base pay in the United States, with potential incentive compensation.

Company

A major game development studio creating large-scale first-person shooter and action titles, with a long history of contributions to the Call of Duty franchise.

What you will do

• Define the cinematic vision for in-game cinematics and pre-rendered movies.
• Direct actors on motion-capture stages and in recording booths, guiding character motivation and scene performance.
• Manage mocap shoots, including creative and technical setup, spatial blocking, and movement alignment with virtual environments.
• Collaborate with creative leadership, animators, artists, writers, and technical teams to bring captured performances into final cinematic scenes.
• Translate scripts into cinematic plans, including staging, emotional arcs, and technical shot requirements.
• Champion collaboration, inclusion, and player-first thinking.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience as a cinematic director in game development or film.
• 5+ years of leadership experience guiding cross-functional teams from concept to ship.
• Strong understanding of cinematic and storytelling language, narrative timing, pacing, camera language, physical acting beats, and emotional continuity.
• Ability to transform ambiguous ideas into clear, impactful deliverables.
• Strong interpersonal skills for directing talent, coordinating technical crews under tight schedules, and influencing stakeholders.
• Onsite availability in the Madison, Wisconsin office four days per week.

Nice to have

• In-depth knowledge of the Call of Duty franchise, its gameplay DNA, and community culture.
• A portfolio demonstrating bold ideas, innovative systems, or groundbreaking experiences.
• Strong animation skills and the ability to guide or assist with scene work.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, inclusive, player-first working culture with direct communication and low-ego teamwork.
• Medical, dental, vision, health savings or reimbursement accounts, and insurance programs.
• 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, and charitable donation matching.
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick time, parental leave, bereavement leave, and floating holidays.
• Mental health, wellbeing, fitness, and discounted game programs.
• Relocation assistance may be available when relocation is required for the job.