Within the film industry, the Direction department is a subset of a larger occupational group referred to as 'Production'.   Perhaps the best known role within the Direction department is that of Director, the person who is ultimately responsible for the creative vision and overall style of a feature film.  Within this department, the Director is also supported by a number of Assistant Directors, who ensure that the Director's artistic ambitions are achieved during the filming process, by providing logistical, organisational and time-management support. 

Other roles in the Direction department include the Script Supervisor (who oversees the continuity and edit-ability of each sequence as it is shot).  The most junior role is that of Runner, which encompasses a wide range of general support duties, and which is also conventionally accepted as the entry-level position within not only the Direction department, but within the film Production sector as a whole.

The UK film industry enjoys a very high profile internationally, and is considered a centre of excellence in terms of its production, technical and post-production departments.  However, its overall productivity (and therefore its demand for staff) fluctuates greatly depending on financing, and on the flow of projects.  It is therefore difficult to calculate exactly how many people are specifically employed in film Direction roles, or even in the Production sector as a whole at any one time, as many of the skills required are interchangeable with those required by the large television and theatre sectors.

Although a large number of HE/FE colleges offer Film Directing courses, as well as more general film production skills courses, the key requirement to succeed in this role is undoubtedly industry experience.  The vast majority of people working in this department begin their careers as Runners, or in junior assisting jobs, gradually progressing through the various Directing department roles.  Career paths in this department offer some flexibility, e.g., most First Assistant Directors do not necessarily become Directors - they tend to move into more senior organisational roles, such as Unit Production Manager, or Line Producer.

All roles within the Direction department of the film industry require a high degree of commitment and dedication.  The work usually involves long hours and varied work locations, so flexibility and motivation are important.  As the vast majority of jobs are on a freelance basis, practitioners must take responsibility for seeking work, and for identifying suitable training opportunities for themselves.   Other important qualities for these roles include excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills; a close attention to detail; and the ability to multi-task, to be a team player, and to work effectively under pressure.