Virtual Production Performance Lead

 

Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled and creatively driven Virtual Production Performance Lead to lead the design, direction, and execution of performance-driven virtual production projects involving digital humans, AI characters, virtual identities, real-time environments, and immersive experiences. The successful candidate will bridge performance direction, virtual production, real-time character systems, motion capture, and digital storytelling to create convincing and emotionally engaging performances in virtual environments.

This is a hands-on interdisciplinary role working closely with performers, directors, virtual production teams, motion capture specialists, character artists, animators, technical artists, AI specialists, cinematographers, and real-time developers. The role requires a strong understanding of both human performance and the technical systems used to capture, process, direct, and deliver that performance within digital environments.

Responsibilities

Lead the performance direction and production strategy for virtual production projects involving digital humans, AI characters, virtual performers, and immersive environments.

Develop performance concepts, character movement languages, emotional behaviors, physical presence, and performance requirements for digital characters.

Direct actors, performers, and virtual characters during motion capture, facial capture, voice sessions, and real-time virtual production.

Design performance workflows that connect live human performance with digital characters and real-time environments.

Plan and coordinate full-body, facial, hand, finger, voice, and other performance-capture requirements.

Work closely with directors, writers, character designers, animators, and narrative teams to translate character intentions and narrative objectives into physical and emotional performance.

Collaborate with technical artists, animators, AI engineers, and developers to integrate captured and directed performances into real-time character systems.

Oversee performance capture sessions, rehearsals, blocking, staging, calibration, recording, and real-time monitoring.

Evaluate captured performances for emotional authenticity, physical clarity, continuity, technical quality, and character consistency.

Develop performance libraries, behavioral references, movement systems, and reusable performance assets for digital characters.

Guide the development of real-time character performance systems for virtual production, interactive storytelling, games, XR, and AI-powered experiences.

Support the integration of motion capture, facial animation, procedural animation, AI-assisted animation, and real-time character technologies.

Work with Unreal Engine, Unity, or comparable real-time platforms to evaluate and refine character performance within virtual environments.

Coordinate with cinematography, lighting, virtual camera, environment, and production teams to ensure that performance and visual direction work together.

Identify and resolve performance-related technical problems, including tracking issues, latency, retargeting problems, synchronization errors, facial or body-capture limitations, and real-time system constraints.

Establish performance standards and workflows that maintain consistency across characters, scenes, platforms, and production stages.

Conduct rehearsals, performance reviews, playbacks, and iteration sessions with creative and technical teams.

Document performance direction, character behavior, capture requirements, production workflows, and technical decisions.

Experiment with emerging technologies in virtual production, AI-generated characters, real-time animation, digital humans, volumetric capture, and interactive performance.

Contribute to the development of original performance methodologies for next-generation digital characters and human-AI experiences.

Qualifications

Minimum BA/MA in Film, Theatre, Performing Arts, Animation, Virtual Production, Game Development, Digital Media, Computer Graphics, Motion Design, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

At least 3–5 years of professional experience in virtual production, performance direction, motion capture, animation, digital characters, film production, games, or a related field.

Demonstrable experience directing actors, performers, or character performances in professional production environments.

Strong understanding of acting, body language, movement, gesture, facial expression, emotional performance, and physical storytelling.

Practical knowledge of virtual production workflows and real-time performance technologies.

Experience with motion capture, facial capture, performance capture, or related technologies.

Familiarity with Unreal Engine, Unity, MotionBuilder, Maya, Blender, or comparable production tools.

Understanding of character animation, rigging, retargeting, motion editing, real-time animation, and performance integration.

Experience working with digital humans, virtual characters, AI characters, avatars, virtual production stages, or immersive environments.

Ability to translate narrative, psychological, and emotional character concepts into clear performance direction.

Strong understanding of the relationship between performer, character, camera, environment, and real-time digital systems.

Ability to work effectively across creative and technical disciplines, including directors, performers, artists, animators, engineers, and AI specialists.

Strong project coordination and production management skills, including scheduling, rehearsals, technical preparation, and performance sessions.

Excellent communication, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Fluency in English and the ability to communicate complex creative and technical concepts clearly.

Portfolio, showreel, or documentation demonstrating relevant virtual production, performance, motion capture, digital character, or immersive projects.