Dark Slope Expands Support for Group Effort Initiative with $100,000 Commitment

Dark Slope is announcing a formalized collaboration with the Group Effort Initiative (GEI), committing $100,000 CAD of cash and in-kind support to bolster GEI’s mission of creating lasting career opportunities for talent from underrepresented communities in entertainment.

The expansion includes support with paid internships, mentorships across virtual production and XR, and an industry job fair event, with a specific focus on Canadian participants, and reinforces Dark Slope’s role as an active pipeline partner in GEI’s ongoing placement efforts across North America. Dark Slope is DEI’s first virtual production studio partner.

Launched in 2020 by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, GEI’s mission is rooted in increasing access to real-world experience and meaningful employment opportunities within film, television, and digital content production. The organization continues to drive industry change through its multi-pronged support of internships, education, mentorship, and direct job placement.

“Now more than ever, breaking down industry barriers and advancing careers takes real, active commitment,” said Dan Fill, President of Dark Slope. “We believe in the work GEI is doing and are proud to help to accelerate the momentum to deepen positive change across our storytelling industry, across mediums.

The Dark Slope and GEI collaboration kicked off November, 2024 with their Future Forward event, created to connect industry partners from VFX, production, animation to distribution with Black, Indigenous and People of Colour professionals of all intersectional identities to facilitate new employment and collaborative opportunities. Partners of this initiative included Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (I.M.P.A.C.T.), OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC), BIPIC TV & Film, 9 Story Media Group, Blue Ant Media, Epic Story Media, SideFX, Pixomondo and Neshama Entertainment, Spin VFX, Brain Power Studio, Bay Mills Studios, POST CITY Picture & Sound, Long Division/Vapor Music, Ticket VFX, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), OCAD University, Humber Polytechnic and Sheridan College. 

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About Dark Slope

Dark Slope’s accomplished team of trailblazers and cutting-edge spatial and virtual production technologies bring high-quality television and unforgettable immersive experiences to life for audiences, clients and partners. 

Operating a 35,000 sq. ft. virtual production soundstage facility in Toronto, Dark Slope serves as a trusted service producer, delivering shots for acclaimed shows across Netflix, CRAVE, Hallmark, Hulu, BBC, Lionsgate, Amazon, CBC, Aircraft, Insight Productions, Marblemedia and more. The company is recognized as a Realscreen Trailblazer for its impact on both scripted and unscripted industries (2023), and was named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ North America and Fast 50™ Canada lists (2022). The company welcomes partnerships and investment opportunities on original productions. To learn more, visit https://darkslope.com/ 

‍About GEI

Group Effort Initiative (GEI) was launched in August 2020 by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively to create pathways for individuals from underrepresented communities to establish long lasting careers by offering access to on-set production roles and entry-level opportunities across corporate and creative tracks. Through partnerships with more than 300 companies and over 150 pipeline organizations, GEI provides job and paid internship placements, professional development, educational training, and one-on-one mentorship. Since its launch, GEI has secured 959 paid internships, 198 corporate entry-level jobs, 259 production assistant placements across 164 productions and 252 mentor-mentee matches. In addition, GEI has hosted 110 educational events designed to empower participants with the tools, skills, and connections they need to succeed. To learn more, visit groupeffortinitiative.com 

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