The Ryan Reynolds training initiative, co-founded with Blake Lively, has reached its fifth anniversary, celebrating ongoing achievements in creating opportunities for new talent in Hollywood. Since its launch, the Group Effort Initiative has supported aspiring industry professionals through internships, mentorships, and key job placements both on and off set.
Program Origins and Early Impact
The initiative began on the set of Ryan Reynolds’ Netflix project, “The Adam Project,” where the program financed salaries for trainees, provided nearby housing in Vancouver, and gave hands-on experience in active productions. Ryan Reynolds recalled the pivotal moment seeing the first group of eight trainees arrive, reflecting:
“When we saw those first eight trainees on set for The Adam Project, it was clear something good was happening,”
– Ryan Reynolds, Marvel star, told Variety.
“I left plenty of room for it to backfire and I still think about the feeling in the pit of my stomach and the blind faith it can take to just leap.”
– Ryan Reynolds, Marvel star.
Mentorship Approach and Program Growth
Blake Lively expressed her thoughts on the initial trainee numbers, stating:
“I was worried because I’d advocated for 8 to 12 trainees and wondered if we’d started with too many folks to allow enough of the vital one-on-one experience from their mentors. But it felt like it found its rhythm halfway through the first week.”
– Blake Lively, actress.
Over the past five years, the Group Effort Initiative has expanded beyond internships, launching a highly regarded mentorship program and establishing pathways to paid studio hires and production assistant roles. The approach has been widely praised for fostering practical skills and providing direct mentorship from industry professionals.
New Developments and Inclusive Vision
To mark this major milestone, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively released a celebratory video and announced new plans for the initiative’s future, including the launch of an Adobe-sponsored Mid-Level Bootcamp to build on previous success. Ryan Reynolds shared his ongoing enthusiasm, stating:
“We’re leveling up even more,” – Ryan Reynolds, actor.
Both founders continue to advocate for greater inclusivity both behind the camera and on screen. Blake Lively emphasized the broader implications of their work:
“What I’d love to see is an industry where access and mentorship are a normal part of how things get made – and where that idea can expand beyond just film and television,”
– Blake Lively, actress.
Ryan Reynolds added:
“Inclusion shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be built-in from the start. It isn’t charity. It’s a means to be better at the job and expand capabilities across the entire creative landscape.”
– Ryan Reynolds, actor.
Looking Ahead at the Industry’s Future
With the Ryan Reynolds training initiative marking a half-decade of tangible results, the Group Effort Initiative continues to build momentum with backing from industry partners like Netflix, Marvel, and Adobe. The program’s focus on mentorship, skill-building, and inclusive opportunities sets a promising example for Hollywood and signals ongoing positive changes in production environments and industry access.
