Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, WI

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

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 setting 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 current ground in our industry.

Rewards

- Medical, dental, vision, health savings

📌 Cinematics Director - Raven Software - Middleton, Wi
🏢 Activision Blizzard
📍 Middleton