Senior Storyboard Artist - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

Team Name:

Job Title:

Senior Storyboard Artist – Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

Requisition ID:

R028340

Job Description:

Blizzard Entertainment is looking to hire a Senior Storyboard Artist to join our ranks! Our ideal candidate would be an outstanding draftsperson who is a storyteller at heart whose skills veer towards action-adventure and drama in conjunction with having a firm grasp of dynamic staging, filmmaking fundamentals, and character acting - a team player who enjoys working in a fun, fast-paced environment. Are you the hero we're looking for?

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.

This is roughly a 5-month temporary position with a mid-January start.

Responsibilities:

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Create storyboard sequences from thumbnail, to rough, to clean finish that implement storytelling objectives laid out by the script/outline and Director
• Ensure storyboards align with the creative goals of the leadership team - that the vision, style, and storytelling objectives of the various shows and IP’s are consistently adhered to
• Collaborate with the Director to discuss storytelling direction, design requirements, and expected level of polish for each episode
• Collaborate with creative leadership and production to review goals and vision for storyboards and discuss concerns, timelines, and complexity, given the parameters of the schedule
• Regularly meet with Supervisor, Director, Producer, Editor, and fellow Storyboard Artists to thoroughly review, discuss, execute, and revise storyboards
• Pitch storyboards to Supervisor, Director, crew, executives, and stakeholders – Receive feedback, then implement notes given
• When requested, attend and contribute to script meetings and pitches to offer feedback from a storyboarding perspective
• Follow proper document management and delivery requirements according to the productions’ guidelines

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 8+ years as storyboard artist and/or director
• Relevant drawing experience necessary – Strong figurative and perspective draftsmanship a must

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to draw characters on model and in a 3-Dimensional setting by providing cleaned-up storyboards with attention to clarity and entertainment value
• Adept staging, cinematography and composition skills through drawing and software use
• Advanced knowledge of hardware and software including Cintiq, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and Photoshop - Blender 3D a plus
• Demonstrate proficiency in timing, screen direction, continuity, and the language of cinema
• Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to write clear and specific direction on storyboards if requested
• Strong time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• If tasked, work from directors’ or fellow board artists’ thumbnails to create final boards within assigned deadlines
• Ability to provide status updates, troubleshoot, and review potential changes on a regular basis with production staff

Submission Materials

• Resume
• Portfolio link with board examples (Ideal PDF of boards or full animatic)

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. 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™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The videogame 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.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  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.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $94,580.00 - $174,988.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. 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.

- Create storyboard sequences from thumbnail to clean finish aligning with storytelling objectives and director's vision. - Ensure storyboards adhere to creative goals, vision, style, and storytelling objectives across various shows and IP's. - Collaborate with Director, creative leadership, and production on storytelling direction, design requirements, timelines, and complexity. - Regularly review, discuss, execute, and revise storyboards with supervisors, producers, editors, and fellow artists. - Pitch storyboards to stakeholders, receive feedback, and implement notes. - Attend and contribute to script meetings and pitches offering storyboarding feedback. - Follow proper document management and delivery requirements. - 8+ years as storyboard artist and/or director. - Strong figurative and perspective draftsmanship. - Ability to draw characters on model and in a 3D setting with clarity and entertainment value. - Adept staging, cinematography, and composition skills. - Advanced knowledge of hardware and software including Cintiq, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and Photoshop. - Proficiency in timing, screen direction, continuity, and cinematic language. - Good verbal and written communication skills; ability to write clear direction on storyboards. - Strong time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines. - Ability to provide status updates, troubleshoot, and review changes with production staff.