Ryan Reynolds is using his celebrity status to create an on-set film production diversity program for marginalized communities.
The “Deadpool” actor announced plans on Friday for the Group Effort Initiative, which will recruit 10 to 20 trainees from Black, Indigenous, and other “marginalized communities” to work alongside experienced filmmakers on his next movie.
Reynolds says in a statement, “Making a film is a group effort, but for entirely too long that group has systemically excluded Black, Indigenous, people of color and several other marginalized communities. This is a global problem that will not be fixed overnight, but change can start locally and immediately.”
He added, “Covid-willing, we’ll be starting a movie this fall. We’ll be bringing on between 10 and 20 trainees who are Black, Indigenous, people of color or people from marginalized and excluded communities. Of all ages. These new recruits will be paid and housed out of my salary and will spend their days on set learning from professionals and getting real-life experience that they can then parlay into another job and another job and hopefully a career in the film industry.”
Reynolds did not reveal the name of the film in a video posted on social media, but he confirmed the production is set to begin shooting this fall and the program is in partnership with Netflix and SkyDance.
Reynolds says expenses for trainees including pay, housing, and travel will come out of his salary. The Group Effort Initiative will work through Reynold’s Maximum Effort production company. Reynolds called on other Hollywood stars “with the privilege that I’m lucky enough to experience” to join his initiative to expand diversity and inclusivity in the film industry.
Interested applicants can visit the Group Initiative website to apply and receive future updates.
In related news, Netflix is now looking for aspiring writers.
Imagine Impact from Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s production company, is looking for submissions as part of their deal with Netflix. The open submissions are looking to identify and help develop feature film ideas in four different genres, over the next year. The first four genre-specific application windows open Wednesday. The first round of projects is considered “large scale action-adventure movies for all audiences.” Applications will be accepted now until July 6th.
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