Cinematics Director

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-o-matics, 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.