Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively at SNL50: The Anniversary Special at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on February 16, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)
UPDATE: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have just marked the five-year anniversary of their groundbreaking initiative, the Group Effort Initiative. This Hollywood training program has transformed lives by providing opportunities for unrepresented communities, and the latest statistics reveal its substantial impact.
Since its inception in 2018, Group Effort has placed an impressive 1,056 paid internships across various film and television productions. The program started with just eight trainees during the filming of Reynolds’ 2020 Netflix movie, The Adam Project, in Vancouver, Canada. Reynolds reflected on the early days, stating, “When we saw those first eight trainees on set, it was clear something good was happening.”
Over the past five years, Group Effort has successfully initiated 247 hires at studios and production companies, along with 365 production assistant roles across 209 productions. This growth underscores the initiative’s commitment to fostering talent in an industry that desperately needs it.
The organization’s mentorship program has also flourished, matching 640 mentors and mentees since its formal launch three years ago. Group Effort has hosted numerous educational events, both in-person and virtual, making significant strides in its mission to enhance representation and inclusion in Hollywood.
Today, Group Effort operates in 20 cities and collaborates with over 550 partners, including major players like Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery. To celebrate this milestone, the organization released a video highlighting its achievements and outlining plans for future growth. One exciting new initiative is the Adobe-sponsored Mid-Level Bootcamp, designed to equip participants with the skills needed to advance from assistants to managerial roles.
Reynolds emphasized the importance of this transition, stating, “We’re leveling up even more.” Lively added, “The real goal is for the people who came through Group Effort to become the ones making the decisions.”
Their vision for the future is clear: a Hollywood where access and mentorship are standard practices. “Inclusion shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be built-in from the start,” Reynolds asserted. This sentiment resonates throughout the industry as it strives to become more inclusive and diverse.
As Group Effort celebrates its accomplishments, the focus remains on expanding its influence and ensuring that the next generation of filmmakers has the resources and mentorship to succeed. This initiative is more than just an educational program; it’s about creating lasting change in the entertainment landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on Group Effort’s initiatives and the continued efforts of Reynolds and Lively to make Hollywood a more inclusive space.
