Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, WI

ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.; Town of Middleton (WI); On-site; USD 127,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Relocation assistance

Job summary

ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC. in Middleton, WI is seeking a Cinematics Director for Raven Software to lead the cinematic vision for our Call of Duty campaigns.

You will work with Creative leadership to define the cinematic language and oversee in-game cinematics and pre-rendered sequences, guiding cross-functional teams through concept to ship. Based in our Madison area office, this on-site role follows a four-day-per-week schedule with potential adjustments as needed.

Qualifications

• A proven Cinematic Director with 10+ years in game development or film.
• 5+ years in leadership roles guiding cross-functional teams from concept to ship.
• Strong eye for narrative timing, camera language and emotional continuity.
• Able to transform big ideas into clear, impactful deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to guide talent and coordinate with technical crews.

Responsibilities

• Define the Cinematic Vision with Creative leadership for in-game and pre-rendered scenes.
• Direct talent on mocap stages or recording sessions to convey character motivations.
• Manage mocap shoots ensuring blocking and movements align with virtual environments.
• Collaborate across departments to translate captured data into final cinematics.
• Break down scripts into cinematics and plan stage, emotional arcs, and tech needs.
• Champion collaboration, inclusion, and player-first thinking.

Skills

Cinematic direction

Leadership

Narrative timing

Camera language

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, WI

Job Title: Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, WI Requisition ID: R028124

Your Mission 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.

What you bring to the table

The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners. Therefore, this role includes, but is not limited to, the following 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

Player Profile Minimum requirements Experience

• 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 Knowledge & Skills 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.
• Key Attributes Passionate about innovation, inclusive design, and building memorable player experiences.

Extra Points Experience

• 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.
• Knowledge & Skills Strong animation skills and able to jump into scene work to guide and assist team.

Your Platform

Founded in 1990 by brothers Brian and Steve Raffel in Middleton, Wisconsin, Raven Software began as a small studio focused on crafting fantasy and role-playing games. Since then, our award-winning portfolio has grown to include beloved titles such as Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and - for the past 15 years - major contributions to the critically acclaimed Call of Duty® franchise. As the lead developers behind Call of Duty: Warzone and the force behind the campaigns of the Black Ops series, most recently Black Ops 6, we have established ourselves as a key player in shaping the FPS genre and pushing the boundaries of what games can achieve. Our motto, “Our Work Speaks For Us,” symbolizes the dedication and passion that drives everything we do. We’ve built a team rooted in respect, collaboration, and a shared focus on what’s best for the game. We prioritize ambition balanced with care, direct communication, and a culture free of egos. By fostering innovation and owning our mistakes, we continually push boundaries to create unforgettable games for our players. As a studio located in Middleton - a suburb of Madison consistently ranked among the best places to live - we offer a thriving, supportive environment paired with exceptional quality of life. As we grow and enter the next chapter of our journey, we’re looking for talented individuals eager to pave new ground in our industry.

Rewards

• 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.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $126,800.00 - $234,580.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process.

In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization. We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater - this could be your opportunity to level up.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [e-mail].

Rewards, compensation, and benefits described above are subject to eligibility and may vary by location and position. All employees are subject to background checks, including DBS and/or other relevant vetting processes.

Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities: https://careers.ravensoftware.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raven-software/

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