Cinematics Director

Epic Games; United States; On-site; USD 225,000 - 383,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with employer match

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Epic Games is seeking a collaborative Cinematic Director for Fortnite cinematics to craft high-impact trailers and short-form content using Unreal Engine. You will jump into Sequencer to explore, iterate, and build, delivering visually polished scenes with a strong sense of timing and humor.

The role emphasizes hands-on directing, character-driven storytelling, and the ability to manage multiple trailers while incorporating feedback from Marketing and Game Direction.

Qualifications

• Portfolio or reel demonstrating short-form directing and character-driven storytelling.
• Directing experience 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.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with 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 from concept to 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 partners.
• Partner with 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-omatics, and other visual tools.
• Explore emerging tools and workflows that help the team iterate quickly and push creative quality.

Skills

Directing experience

Cinematic storytelling

Unreal Engine

Sequencer

Control Rig

Collaboration

Communication

Tools

Unreal Engine

Sequencer

Control Rig

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

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.

Cinematic Director, Fortnite Ecosystem – Cinematic Trailers

What We Do

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.

What You'll Do

Epic Games is searching for a collaborative Cinematic Director to join our Fortnite cinematics team who can help craft high-impact trailers and short-form content that connects with the Fortnite audience.

We're looking for a hands‑on filmmaker who uses Unreal Engine as a creative tool and is excited to jump into Sequencer to explore, iterate, and build.

Tone matters as much as craft. Strong comedic instincts and a feel for playful, irreverent, character‑driven storytelling - someone who understands timing, performance, and visual comedy while still delivering cinematic scale and polish.

This is a highly collaborative role working alongside our existing directors and discipline leads to brainstorm, rapidly pitch, and bring ideas to life. You'll manage multiple trailers simultaneously while incorporating feedback from Marketing, Art Direction, Game Direction, and other partners without compromising the creative intent.

In this role, you will

• 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‑omatics, and other visual tools.
• Explore emerging tools and workflows that help the team iterate quickly and push creative quality.

What we're looking for

• 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 have

• 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.

This role is open to multiple locations across the US (including CA, NYC, & WA).

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic’s generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well‑being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company‑wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

• New York City Base Pay Range: $229,576 — $382,626 USD
• California Base Pay Range: $224,793 — $374,655 USD
• Washington Base Pay Range: $224,793 — $374,655 USD

ABOUT US

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award‑winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high‑fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world‑class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.