How Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Built a New Door to Hollywood

Nov 25

Hollywood is perhaps the most notorious "closed shop" in the world. To get in, you usually need a famous last name, an expensive film school degree, or a willingness to work for free as an intern in a high-cost city. It is a system designed to keep the circle small.

While many A-listers talk about diversity and inclusion in acceptance speeches, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds decided to actually architect a solution.

They launched the Group Effort Initiative (GEI).

Their thesis was simple but radical: the "pipeline problem" is a myth. The talent exists; the access does not. Instead of creating a scholarship or a seminar, they integrated mentorship directly into the payroll. They mandated that on their own productions, trainees from underrepresented communities would be hired, paid, and given real jobs.

Here is their blueprint for turning a position of privilege into a platform for access.

Lesson 1 Mentorship Must Be Paid to Be Inclusive

The traditional path into creative industries often relies on unpaid internships. This instantly filters out anyone who cannot afford to work for free, reinforcing a lack of socioeconomic diversity.

GEI flipped this model. They recognized that economic barriers are the ultimate gatekeeper.

By ensuring that every traineeship is a paid job, they democratized access to the "bottom rung" of the ladder. This isn't charity; it's equitable employment.

The Mentor Takeaway: If your mentorship program requires "free time" or "unpaid labor" from the mentee, you are accidentally selecting for privilege. True inclusivity requires removing the financial penalty for entry.

Lesson 2 Use Your Leverage to Force the Door Open

Blake and Ryan understood that they possessed a specific kind of currency: leverage. As stars and producers, they have the power to dictate terms to studios.

They didn't ask for permission to include GEI on their sets; they made it part of the deal. Whether it was The Adam Project or Deadpool, they used their contract power to ensure that 10-20 trainees were on set, shadowing department heads, and getting real credits on their resumes.

The Mentor Takeaway: Sponsorship is about spending your political capital. If you have leverage—whether you are a CEO, a manager, or a star client—use it to mandate inclusion. Don't just invite someone to the meeting; insist that the meeting doesn't happen without them.

Lesson 3 The Goal Is Placement Not Just Training

The failure of many mentorship programs is that they end with a certificate, not a career. GEI focuses relentlessly on the "next job."

The program isn't just about shadowing; it's about networking. By putting trainees on actual sets next to working professionals, they enable the organic "tribal knowledge" transfer and relationship building that actually leads to the next gig. They have since partnered with Netflix and other major studios to scale this placement engine.

The Mentor Takeaway: The ultimate KPI of mentorship is the mentee's next opportunity. Facilitate the connections that lead to a paycheck, not just a pat on the back.

A New Production Model

The Group Effort Initiative proves that systemic change doesn't require a government act; it requires people with power deciding to change the rules of their own workplace.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds showed that you can build a blockbuster and a pipeline at the same time. They remind us that the best way to mentor the next generation is to hire them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Group Effort Initiative? The Group Effort Initiative (GEI) is a program launched by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to create a pipeline for members of underrepresented communities to get real-world experience in the entertainment industry.

How does GEI work? GEI secures paid internships and entry-level jobs for participants on film and television productions. Trainees work on set, learn from department heads, and gain the credits and connections needed to build a sustainable career in Hollywood.

Why is paid mentorship important? Paid mentorship removes the economic barrier to entry. Unpaid internships often exclude talented individuals who cannot afford to work for free, limiting diversity. By paying trainees, programs like GEI ensure that opportunity is based on talent, not financial background.