Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively team with Netflix to bring representation behind the scenes

Husband and wife duo Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have partnered up with Netflix to provide opportunities behind the camera for those in underrepresented communities.

The Hollywood couple is doing this through their Group Effort Initiative, which was launched in 2020. GEI’s goal is to create opportunities for underrepresented people so they can get real experience that will lead to lasting careers in the entertainment industry.

The effort first started on Reynolds’ Netflix and Skydance film, The Adam Project. Eight people were chosen to work entry-level positions in various departments like camera, costume, production design, and more. And now, that initiative is growing even bigger.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively team with Netflix

The partnership between GEI and Netflix will give those selected access to on-set production training and job placements on Netflix productions throughout the U.S. and Canada, according to Deadline.

The news outlet reports the streaming giant has already started production on the projects where the newly recruited individuals will get to learn from those experienced in all things behind-the-scenes. Those films include White Noise, You People, and Leave the World Behind.

Netflix’s partnership with the Reynolds and Lively-led initiative is part of the streaming service’s own initiative. Fund for Creative Equity is an effort dedicated to helping build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within the industry to support up-and-coming talent behind the cameras.

This is a huge step towards providing more opportunities and representation for people who are truly talented but may be overlooked. There’s been a lot of changes within the entertainment industry over the last few years, but the work still isn’t over. There’s always ways to grow. With two very well known actors and the biggest streaming platform out there backing it up, there’s bound to be further change. It only takes one person or company, then soon others begin to follow.