Principal Cinematic Designer

2 Months ago • 7-10 Years • Game Story Writing/Narrative Design

About the job

Job Description

Cloud Chamber seeks a Principal Cinematic Designer with 7+ years of experience in game cinematic design. You'll craft impactful narrative moments, collaborate with various teams, and possess a strong understanding of cinematic storytelling techniques. Experience with Unreal Sequencer and game lighting is essential.
Must have:
  • Cinematic Designer
  • Unreal Sequencer
  • Game Lighting
  • Storytelling Techniques
Good to have:
  • Film/Theater Background
  • Unreal Experience
  • Technical Aptitude
  • Conversation Systems
Perks:
  • Remote Work
  • Full Benefits
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Cloud Chamber is looking for a detailed and organized Principal Cinematic Designer to join our talented team of developers. In BioShock, narrative moments blend seamlessly and dramatically into captivating gameplay scenarios. You will be responsible for collaborating with multiple departments and disciplines to   assemble animations, environment assets, visual effects, and audio – adding drama with lighting and player triggering events - ultimately culminating in a - poignant explosion of dramatic narrative impact.

You are a nimble and curious 3D generalist. You are able to craft supporting assets, simple particle effects, and materials equally well. You possess a keen understanding of game lighting and general scene assembly. You are able to rough things in and flex your management skills by tasking other expert disciplines when you need custom elements like hero assets, VFX, sound, technical features, etc. You have a thorough grasp of cinematic storytelling techniques, but respect and understand the difference between film and games.

You are a storyteller, you are an artist. You are the person who will masterfully create the narrative first-person moments that exist along a continuum of fully interactive set-pieces for BioShock.

Job Details:

  • Create and implement systemic, in-game, scripted cinematic sequences.
  • Collaborate closely with the Narrative, Design and Art teams to visually communicate key story elements.
  • Set-up actor staging and cameras.
  • Follow and maintain pipelines, workflows and technical requirements.
  • Use your boundless creativity to diagnose and solve problems.
  • Act as the bridge between all disciplines to effectively communicate the creative vision and rally your forces to implement it.
  • Give feedback to the tools department on how to improve and expand our Conversation and Cinematic Systems.
  • Mentor more junior designers in best practices, skills, and cinematic vision. 

Skills, Experience and Qualifications:

  • 7+ years working in games as a cinematic designer, or a combination of games and film.
  • A studied eye for onscreen composition of action moments.
  • Precision and in camera positioning and movements.
  • Experience timing triggering events, and interactive branching cinematic sequences.
  • Able  to interpret storyboards and “plus them” with your own creative flourishes.
  • Experience with Unreal Sequencer.
  • Experience lighting for dramatic, theatrical effect.
  • Able to communicate with VFX, Creative Direction, Narrative, Art, and Game Design disciplines.
  • Able to foresee technical constraints of the systems and request potential solutions.
  • Deep understanding of Conversation, Dialogue, and Cinematic Systems.
  • Able to jump from one creative task to another with ease.
  • Background in film or theater, with a technical aptitude and familiarity with modern game engines.
  • Unreal experience is a plus.
  • Flexible and collaborative mindset and attitude.
  • Self-motivated, curious, and collaborative.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • The ability to problem-solve and prioritize issues while developing a production pipeline.
  • Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process.
  • Able to discuss, support, and advocate for your opinions while being receptive to differing viewpoints.
  • Champion of high standards, pushing for progress, embracing change, and challenging the status quo.
  • Knowledge and love of games, with a deep desire to push the medium forward.
  • Mature outlook on work ethics and responsibilities.
  • Uncompromising ethics and unwavering integrity.
  • Willingness to uphold the values of Cloud Chamber.

​​We are Cloud Chamber: a collaborative team of inspired minds who create games together. We strive to make unique, entertaining, and thoughtful game experiences that engage the world.

We believe in the beauty and strength of diversity, in both the makeup of the studio and the nature of our thinking.  Our focus on open communication and overall well-being allows each of us to strive for excellence in our work, and happiness in our lives. We’re currently making the next BioShock. Our passion and love for this iconic franchise is what brought us together. The thrill and responsibility of creating the next iteration of such a beloved game is what keeps us going.

If all of this sounds as exciting to you as it is to us, we’d love to meet you. Join us in creating worlds that move people.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com email accounts.

This is a fully remote role that may be based anywhere in the United States. Below are the expected salary and wage ranges for applicants based in locations where the pay transparency law is in effect:

Colorado: $70,000 and $130,000 per year
California: $90,000 and $165,000 per year
New York State (inclusive of New York City): $90,000 and $165,000 per year
Washington: $70,000 and $130,000 per year

Base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan, in addition to a full range of medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees will also receive 14 paid holidays per calendar year, are eligible to earn a minimum of 15 days of vacation leave per year (subject to proration based on start date during the calendar year) and will receive 10 sick days per calendar year. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, 4 including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

#LI-Hybrid

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$70.0K - $130.0K/yr (Outscal est.)
$100.0K/yr avg.
Novato, California, United States

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About The Company

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.


Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.


At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

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