About the role
Job Description
Blizzard Entertainment’s Cinematics team is looking for an experienced Storyboards Department Manager to assist in creating engaging and compelling content across all our franchises. As a talented visual/narrative artist themselves, this person will lead a team of storyboard artists who support in-game and pre-render cinematic content. As a craft expert and mentor, they will successfully manage multiple projects while also balancing creative quality, budget, schedule, and business priorities.
This role is a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.
Responsibilities
Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
- Manage all artistic and technical aspects of a storyboard department that works in a very fluid and fast-paced production environment
- Oversee the direction, mentoring, and growth of the storyboard artists through constructive feedback as well as by setting short-term and long-term planning around career growth
- Partner with cinematic directors and stakeholders to help clarify notes and ensure their creative vision is carried out effectively throughout the animatic process
- Cast artists to projects based on skillset and level up artists as needed to work successfully across all IP’s
- Handle day-to-day operational and administrative support, such as absence management, contract extensions, learning and development initiatives, and annual performance reviews
- Hire and onboard new artists based on studio needs; proactively tracking resource planning, reviewing portfolios, and partnering with recruiting
- Effectively collaborate and work through challenges with other department leaders in a respectful and professional manner
- Provide effective communication and transparency with other pipeline departments (i.e., writing, editorial and previz) to mitigate production delays
- Partner with the Tech team to ensure that artists have all the required software/hardware needs as well as research new tools that may increase efficiency
- Plan activities to promote team engagement and bonding
Minimum Requirements
Experience
- 8+ years of experience managing a creative team of artists
- Experience in TV or feature animation; film and gaming a plus
- Professional examples of work that exhibit a strong visual storytelling sensibility
Knowledge & Skills
- Possess expert skills in cinematic storytelling, with a strong understanding of composition, camera, cinematography, staging, lenses, pacing, and continuity
- A deep understanding of the pre-production and story development process, with the ability to accurately gauge the time needed for sequences and to translate feedback into actionable milestones for the artist
- Strong, communicative draftsmanship
- Proven ability to deal with a wide range of personnel issues: recruitment, career development, salary administration, and conflict resolution
- Highly organized with exceptional project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a very dynamic environment
- A degree in Film, Animation, or Fine Arts
- Advanced knowledge of hardware and software including Flix, Cintiq, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and Photoshop - Blender 3D a plus
Extra Points
- Knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment IPs and games
- Experience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment properties
About the Company
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., a division of Activision Blizzard, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games.
Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, Candy Crush and Bubble Witch. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for Every World.
Rewards
Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
- 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
Compensation
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $99,200.00 - $183,520.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. 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.