ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cinematic Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

M&S Consulting

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA · Remote

Job Responsibilities: The 3D Animator will create high-fidelity, cinematic animations that ... Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and technical experts to ensure scientific accuracy

M&S Consulting

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA · On-site +1

Job Responsibilities: The 3D Animator will create high-fidelity, cinematic animations that ... Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and technical experts to ensure scientific accuracy

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCinematic Director Jobs

Cinematic Director information

See salary details

$24.5K

$86.8K

$178.5K

How much do cinematic director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for cinematic director in the United States is $86,824.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $108,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Cinematic Director typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

A Cinematic Director works closely with multiple departments, including art, animation, audio, and narrative teams, to ensure cinematic sequences align with the game's vision and storytelling goals. Collaboration often involves regular meetings to review storyboards, motion capture sessions, and coordinating feedback to maintain consistency in tone and pacing. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as changes in gameplay or narrative may require quick adjustments to cinematic plans. This cross-departmental teamwork is crucial for delivering a seamless and immersive player experience.

What does a Cinematic Director do?

A Cinematic Director is responsible for overseeing the visual storytelling and direction of cinematic sequences in films, TV shows, or video games. They collaborate with writers, producers, and artists to create compelling scenes that drive the narrative and evoke emotion. Their duties include planning camera angles, supervising animation or live-action shoots, and ensuring that the final product aligns with the creative vision. Cinematic Directors also manage teams of cinematographers, editors, and visual effects artists to achieve high-quality results. Their work is crucial in shaping the look and feel of a project, making sure each scene supports the overall story.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cinematic Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cinematic Director, you need a solid background in film production, storytelling, visual composition, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in film or related experience. Familiarity with editing software, camera equipment, and industry-standard production tools is crucial. Strong communication, creative vision, and problem-solving abilities help set standout directors apart. These skills and qualities ensure effective collaboration, impactful storytelling, and successful execution of a cinematic vision.
More about Cinematic Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Cinematic Director jobs? Cities with the most Cinematic Director job openings:
What states have the most Cinematic Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Cinematic Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cinematic Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cinematic Director jobs are:
Cinematic Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cinematic Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,824 per year, or $41.7 per hour.
Virtual Production Technical Director

Virtual Production Technical Director

Detroit Country Day School

Beverly Hills, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Position Virtual Production Technical Director

Department Information Technology

Available July 2026

Detroit Country Day School is a private, independent, co-educational, non-denominational, preschool through grade 12, college preparatory school focused on a well-rounded liberal arts education. Emphasis on academics, arts, athletics, and character development is prevalent across the curriculum. DCDS believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are educational imperatives for the intellectual, social, and moral growth of every child. We honor the dignity of every human being and value differences that exist and are expressed throughout our vibrant school.

Position Summary
We are seeking a Virtual Production Technical Director to serve as the cinematic engineer for our xR Studio’s LED volume. In this role, you will own the Disguise server pipeline and partner closely with our Virtual Production Engineer and Technology Integrator to enable students to create cinema-quality virtual productions.
Your primary focus is to enable students to film cinema quality virtual productions. You will collaborate directly with the film teacher to analyze student scripts, engineer pre-production content pipelines, and manage our Disguise and Unreal Engine ecosystem. Additionally, you will collaborate on creative outreach and bring projects to life for students across grades PreK–12.
Essential Responsibilities
Pre-Production Partnership
  • Partner with the Film teacher to review student scripts and storyboards, advising on how to successfully translate their narrative ideas into the virtual production environment.
  • Collaborate with the Virtual Production Engineer during the pre-visualization phase to source, build, or optimize 3D assets and environments within Unreal Engine, ensuring they are production-ready.
  • Guide student filmmakers through tech rehearsals to block camera movements, test tracking limits, and pre-light scenes before official shoot days.
xR Pipeline Collaboration amp; Technical Management
  • Manage the end-to-end xR pipeline with the Virtual Production Engineer. While the VP Engineer focuses heavily on Unreal Engine optimization and nDisplay configuration, you will lead the Disguise media integration.
  • Serve as the primary operator and systems engineer for our Disguise ecosystem. Specifically driving advanced workflows like extended sets.
  • Calibrate and maintain our camera tracking system (MoSys StarTracker Max) paired with our RED V-Raptor VV camera and jib setup to ensure zero latency or drift.
Ensuring Cinematic Quality
  • Serve as the technical authority during live shoots, diagnosing and resolving real-time pipeline bottlenecks (e.g., tracking occlusion, moiré, or frame drops) to keep the production moving.
  • Ensure studio DMX lighting, camera shutter angles, and the LED volume are in sync to produce a cinematic final frame.
  • Oversee the rapid ingestion and management of raw footage (RED RAW) from the studio floor to the post-production pipeline.
Pre K-12 Collaboration
  • Collaborate with our Instructional Technologist to adapt the xR stage for younger students. While they manage the age-appropriate lesson plans and student logistics, you will engineer the Disguise and tracking pipeline to bring their PreK-12 class projects and scripts to life.
  • Demystify the xR Studio for students. You will set up safe environments that allow PreK-12 students to successfully navigate The Studio and experience the filmmaking process.
Qualifications
  • Proven, hands-on experience in virtual production, digital cinema, LED and xR technologies, or a related technical arena. Direct expertise in Disguise media direction is a requirement for this role.
  • An understanding of xR and VP workflows, including camera tracking systems (MoSys StarTracker or similar), Brompton LED processor, and how they interface with Disguise RenderStream.
  • Proven experience configuring, operating, and troubleshooting Disguise in a live production, xR, or virtual studio environment.
  • Working knowledge of Unreal Engine workflows and the ability to collaborate effectively with our dedicated Virtual Production Engineer.
  • An understanding of camera mechanics, genlock, shutter synchronization, color spaces, and studio DMX lighting.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, show initiative, and solve complex technical problems creatively and efficiently
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during collaboration with students, faculty, and project teams.
  • Frequent use of hands to operate computers, cameras, audio/visual equipment, and other digital production tools.
  • Ability to move throughout campus and studio spaces to support classrooms
  • Capability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in The Studios, including cameras, lighting, audio, and emerging technologies.
  • Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and position equipment and materials up to 25–40 pounds (i.e., AV equipment)
  • Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, or reach as needed to support studio setup and equipment adjustments.
Work Environment
Noise levels may vary depending on the setting, particularly during studio production, student collaboration, or live events.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references via https://www.dcds.edu/about/careers. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Apply