You are lovely. What a monster you've created. Thank you for everything.

I think that's a great idea about doing an "at home" version per se of The Quest. One question about the writing selection process. I know you have said you are looking for writing examples that provide a good example of voice but are you going to hold it against people who perhaps haven't had as much experience writing screenplays as others?

Scott, I vote YES to using the webinar model to make good on your very generous offer. Seems like it would be easiest for you and, frankly, whatever you determine is easiest is the way to go in mu opinion. Additionally running a modified QUEST concurrently on the site for those who are not chosen to participate in the one on one version is an idea that I would relish. Whatever you decide to do, you are already being quite generous in your offers. Thanks.

Scott, Looks like the webinar would be the best option do to the sheer number of people participating. If you have any connections with professors or teachers that augment their brick and mortar class with web classes – tap them for how their institutions host those classes. I have taken some courses online that have a posted and live (web streaming) component. The technology package is out there. You should be able to find a plug and play module to host a class with minimum fuss. I like the “Squires of The Quest” idea. It would be close to writing sprints challenges with a structure that would guide each writer at their own pace from idea to script. It would be fun to form a community of squires that pledge to follow the quest as a challenge and support group. Lots of good ideas out there. With 1808 of us – I feel we may all be happily surprised by the participation in The Quest. Cheers, Wes…

Scott, could you provide a little more clarification for what your looking for in the Story Synopsis requirement after the 1st cut? I feel like some folks (ahem, raises hand) submitted loglines for ideas that aren't fully fleshed out. Hence, the excitement for the Prep part of The Quest. Thx a ton for all.

Thats 'Due to the sheer number...' Damn drunk fingers!

Hi, first of all, thanks for this opportunity you're giving all of us, you're wonderful! Personally I prefer the second option, where we get the lectures of the course, that's for me and we can have access to it anytime. It'll be great to follow the Quest with thw winners :)

Another vote for "GroupQuest". Plus, all of us should shave our heads. And we'll need a secret handshake. Thanks you for doing this.

The last two weeks were a free course as it is. It's helped me get my prep priorities right. A "light" Quest for those of us who are not selected would be amazing. I, for one, do know I would benefit from the discipline and structure that would call for. Many thanks are not enough. I hope you do find stellar projects and get some of all that good karma whacked back at you.

Oops - "thank you". Apparently, a lot of us drink while we write.

Scott, I second this as I (ahem, raises hand as well) submitted some log lines that are not fully fleshed out. I thought if one was selected for the logline alone, the lecture sessions would help flesh out/discover the story and its characters. thanx.

Alex, if all you have is the logline, that's fine. If you did have some general ideas where you might take the story or background on characters, then perhaps spend a few hours working up one or two paragraphs. But as I say, if all you have is a logline, that can work.

Wow... you are the man Scott. Thank you for all your wisdom, drive and graciousness to the writing community.

Don, I guess we should come up with a name for the GITS version of it. Something to ponder...

U N R E A L Over 1800...amazing. Webinar makes sense, but this is a true monster...Dr Frank-en-Steen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c

I love the idea of Do Your Own Quest. Please oh please let's do that!

Hi Scott, I have a question regarding the writing sample (should it come to that, of course!) If we've got a few specs and a few screenplays, would you prefer a screenplay greatly over a spec? Also, would you prefer we submit something that matches the genre/tone of the proposed logline? Or do you not particularly care at all whether the genre of the sample matches the genre of the logline, or whether it's a teleplay spec or a screenplay, so long as it's a damn fine piece of writing? :) And also, thank you. Whatever happens, my writing partner and I now have a boatload of new ideas to dive into.

I can only speak for myself, but I've learned so much already during the submission process - it feels like I've already had my free week. Thanx!

Oh Scott... everyday I check for an update and the suspense is K-I-L-L-I-N-G me. I read June 25th and audibly whined. (I know, I know my life's tough. Especially since you are the one reading all the loglines and being generous and such. Please forgive my tempestuousness. #aspiringwriterproblems) That being said... if I am not a successful candidate I would be absolutely humbled and thrilled to receive ANY training from you. I think the webinar is going to be the easiest to get the most information out to people and likely the cheapest for you. Again, Thank You. I have a logline that I love and a clear idea of where I want my script to go. Over the last year your blog and tweets (among others) has inspired many things inside me. The Quest is so very generous and incredible of you. Feeling grateful for the oppourtunity to even compete.

Do your own quest is a great idea. Everybody is going to be a winner like this. Finishing the first draft of his/her own story. I also have a crazy idea about how the lucky four should share the quest experience with the others. What if everyone of them is tasked to play a mentor for another ten writers. He will hand out what he learned from you to them. Give them assignments. And give them feedback. That seems to be an extra burden on the lucky four, but I believe teaching what you just have been taught is a wonderful why to master whatever you're learning. Sharing knowledge is the best way to preserve it. As the for the promise you're trying to keep; giving everyone who submitted a logline a core course. I think you can send them the courses as pdf, then meet with them using a website like www.wiziq.com, or a free desktop sharing service like join.me. Technically, you can handle up to 500 attendees per webinar. But it would be crazy if all of them want to ask a question at once. Maybe you should have a lottery machine with 500 balls in it. Whoever get picked can ask the question. You pick like 20 or something. That would be awesome. Another question: Is it okay for someone who makes the first cut to send a white page for a resume? It's not me. Someone...begged me to ask you...he wants to keep his identity a secret.

Producer Scott's Academy of Word Slingers

We already know the lucky four are going to get the experience of a lifetime. I sincerely hope this turns out to be more successful *for you* than you'd ever hoped, especially given how much more work it is for you at the beginning than you'd planned on. But if that isn't a sign of your seriousness and dedication, I don't know what is. I would love the option to simply receive the lecture via e-mail, especially if we had the opportunity to ask one or two follow-up questions via e-mail as well.

Wow. I can not believe the amount of effort you are putting into this event. Even if you are able to get all of the four projects produced, I can't imagine it being equivalent to the time you are putting in. You are the most selfless Hollywood-adjacent person I have never met.

Webinar would be best, I think. Pretty sure there are platforms that can accommodate thousands at a time. Ustream, for example: http://helpcenter.ustream.tv/content/limits-viewers-and-bandwidth-free-and-pro-accounts. I could see myself doing the Do Your Own Quest if the GITS community paired up for it, or even formed groups of 4-5 people. That way we can at least guide each other based on your guidelines, even if we won't have your guidance. Perhaps it can go further than that, now or in the future, with the 4 students guiding others who in turn guide others, so that your generosity gives and gives again. Your staying cool through all this is incredible. You started something that went full-speed ahead, no one has done anything like this, you're getting hit with bump after bump, and you're adjusting to it really reasonably. Looking forward to what this evolves into.

I think Yossi has a great idea. If the GITS community would group together and help each other develop their stories/screenplays through a "Self-Study Questing" it would be great. It would give us accountability partners and what not. Count me In...to MY story...

I second this. Thanks Scott!

Ditto to all of the above. We are not worthy. All hail Saint Scott Meyers. And the at-home version- your karma points are through the roof. I seriously think you must have clones getting all the work done that you do. And BTW, the second I read in previous posts that you would want a synopsis/treatment I got to work. You and the Quest are the best motivation this writer has ever had. Thank you!

Scott, I echo the many praises you have already recieved. Your continued willingness to give more is exceptional. After you annoucned The Quests, I thought to myself that you should have offered the free week to those who made the first cut. That would have been a much more managable number. I venture to say that some may have submitted any old logline only for the free week. But perhaps I'm just being cynical. Nonetheless, you are a man of your word and are to be commended. I think the webinar is a great idea. I've been on both sides of the presentation and it really works well if you need to reach a large group of people. I did mine on gotomeeting, but it was through work on a corportate account so I don't know any of the details. The webinar has an added benefit of being reuseable. You may want to consider a "Quest Only" section of the site where the 1808 can register for access. Put the webinars there initally. Then you can decided later if you want to share them with the rest of the GITS community. Also, even though the 1804 aren't getting one-on-one, they can review the webinar multiple times. The "do your own quest" is also a wonderful idea. I, like many others, have learn a lot in the past two weeks. Having quest material and a goal for the week would really help with focus and discipline, something I struggle with. As a means of boosting everybodies confidence, we should have shirts made up that say: GoInToTheStory.com "The Quest" 2012 I was #5

The best of all worlds would be a writing sample that supported the genre of the idea you pitched via logline. For example, let's say you sent me a comedy. I ask for a writing sample. You send me a period piece drama. Or science-fiction. How would I know if you were funny on the page or not [I could probably tell how funny you are from a phone call, translating onto the page is a different matter]. But if your best writing sample is a different genre, I can accept that, as long as it shows you have strong writing ability.

I just realized why "The Quest" is so helpful. I have spent many years working in bits and pieces on my writing, but I've not really gotten anywhere. I've been mostly wandering. Having someone that knows what their doing set out goals is so helpful. It provides a managable chunk to shoot for and it frees the mind of the rookie (i.e. me) from wondering questions like: Is this the right thing to do now? What's next? Would it be better to do X, instead of Y? Do I even know how to do X and Y? (Maybe there's a book on it.) Etc. You are providing not only the goal, but useful information on how to get there. Thanks Scott for doing this.

Love it!

For the writers who make the 1st cut, how long do they have to supply you with the requested items? Thanks!

Love it, haha.

Scribbler, I'll probably give folks a 72 hour turnaround.

Scott - You did it again! You "say" June 25th is how much time you think you need to get through thousands of loglines, but in reality, I think "teacher Scott" is taking over b/c now I have two weeks to get my "assets" in order (synopses, treatments, etc.)... In a number of cases for ideas that came to be in just the past two weeks... A ton of work, yes. Hitting multiple genres, yes. But when it's over, whether I get an email from you or not, I will have sifted through and explored some wide-ranging story ideas, which wouldn't haven't happened without your nudge, push and shove! As I'm almost ready to start on a new script, the timing could not have been better for me. Thank you. And as others have stated, an amazing amount of Karma is being showered on you... I suspect this quest that you have begun will be rewarding in ways that even you have not imagined... SB

Thanks, sounds good! Yeah, if there wasn't a whole lotta funny on the page I guess we'd have to scribble some witty shit in the margins...a little running commentary "Mystery Science Theater 3000" style. Especially if the sample is sci-fi...

Scott, seriously: you rock. I vote lecture content and Quest Lite. And THANK YOU!

Do Your Own Quest. Go On Your Own Quest. Yeah, I'm liking that. And the idea of having some sort of forum where participants can go to swap ideas, critique pages. That's interesting, too. It's great to see the GITS community come together to brainstorm possibilities. Exciting opportunities ahead!

For those of you who have never taken one of Scott's classes the lectures are invaluable. I'd take those any day over a webinar. Also, would be easier for Scott.

You are a prince of men. Truly.

Scott, you have been so fantastically generous with all of this. I hope we all wind up in a position to return the favour some day. (Wouldn't that be great?) Selection Process: You certainly don't want for blog topics these days, but would you consider if there's room in the next two weeks writing about how to put together a good writing resume and bio, and how to write a synopsis. We'd all benefit and it would boost the quality of your second cut submissions so you could evaluate based on actual content (vs presentation or mastery of form). (I'm guessing you've got this in the pipeline already...) In all your generosity, please heavily weigh any options that reduce the wear-and-tear on YOU. And let us know how we can help. Some tech observations: - Tracking all of this manually, by email, sounds like an absolute nightmare. I would think there should be some good, FREE, probably open-source ticket or coupon systems with a web interface, where you could dump all of the email addresses into a backend database, have it send out a redeemable code, and then keep track for you of who redeems their codes, without a lot of data entry and mess. The unique user ID would be the email addresses, so it's easy to track. If something like this sounds like it would help, I'm happy to look into it and make some recommendations. Others here may have recommendations for similar systems or better approaches, too. - If you go the webinar route, there are really good options there, particularly to archive the webinars so you can make them available again as a premium or free service again in the future. If you would like recommendations on webinar software or platforms, again, just let us know. - There may be a way to pick a webinar set-up that integrates with a coupon or redemption code system. > Does that sound like a good idea? I thought it was. I’d be curious to hear your reactions. Good? It sounds bloody marvelous! I wasn't able to send in a logline because I've got some obligations right now that would preclude me living up to the time commitment required (as much as I'm gnashing my teeth about the missed opportunity); being able to follow along at home would be...I lack an adequate superlative. (At that point, I wonder if it would be worthwhile to add a forum section to the website so participants can support each other, and the conversations can stand alone and not get lost on the site. May or may not be worth the hassle from your point of view.) I really, really hope this all comes back to you ten-fold. Thank you again very much.

Scott, seriously, this has been, like, a veritable Woodstock festival of peace and love...for screenwriters. (And best of all, no mud, smelly groupies, or malfunctioning port-a-john's... I was at Woodstock 94 and those are the most lingering memories...) As you know, I've been a long time GITSer and everything that's transpired regarding The Quest has been nothing short of inspirational...to a level, in myself, that I didn't think was possible. After finishing my short film last year, I felt more than a little drained by it all and took major steps back from everything script and film related. Started working on a YA Novel with another writer and immersed myself in that world. But still, creatively, something was missing - - I missed the screenwriting life but didn't really know how to get back to it. The Quest brought it all home for me, the daily blasts of immersion into concept, story, brevity of delivery, logline theory...but best of all? You made it FUN again. You brought back life where there was none. When you began this, I didn't think I'd submit anything... thought it was all in my rearview mirror. But those daily Quest posts stirred something in me...something that had been dormant for some time. By day five or so, I was tinkering with a logline... then two... then five. I hooked up with my ORIGINAL co-writer from my earliest days in this racket and we got to kick ideas around for a while...just like the good ol' days. In time, I not only had a few that tickled my fancy but I could actually cherry pick the most viable. By the following week, I was doing the "elevator pitch" test with family and friends, triggering fascinating conversations about what worked and what didn't. Anyway, I apologize for this bag of wind comment here when, ultimately, I merely wish to say thank you. GITS has always been a big part of my creative life but these past few weeks have been even more powerful and humbling. I come away from this feeling young, re-invigorated, and creatively reborn. Mission accomplished sir.

Scott, Vielen Dank! Merci beaucoup! Gracias! Grazie! Thank you! I could go on but you have enough to read. I would suggest asking the 1804 how many of them actually intend on taking the one week course. I know, I know. Most of are thinking anyone would be crazy to pass up a class from Scott but I think we would be surprised how many were shooting for the big prize or nothing. I will satisfied with my 'prize' however it comes and use it until it's worn out! And I third/fourth/nth the suggests for a forum and small groups for those of us following along with The Quest Four.

Just adding my vote to what people are already saying... Webinars would be great. Lectures would be fine, and presumably easier for you. Given the scale of this, and the generosity of the offer in the first place, we have to go for what's practical here. And I presume I'm not the only person who feels a bit mean for taking up the free course offer at all - after all, I probably could find the money to pay. Maybe those who feel they could afford to take the course at full cost should volunteer for the Webinars/ lectures, and leave the free course for those who can't? I dunno... And last, as ever, thank you!

Wouldn't mind a class with one of your split-personalities... maybe you can stop sleeping and conjure up a "Professor Scott" or "Guru Scott" to ease the burden? If Producer Scott could just stop with the Mai Tais in Palm Springs and lend a hand with the dirty work... kinda crummy that he left you to it all alone :\

Scott man, I don't know why and I don't know why, but I'm just glad you do this Blog and run these kind of initiatives. As Billy Beane says at the end of Moneyball, "You're a good egg." As a suggestion of other things you can offer people for submitting loglines, since you have your MATER CLASS series, what about offering an added discount for the value of the 1 week craft course if you enroll in a Master Class? Looking forward to participating in the adventure one way or another! ^_^

Is there an example of a writing resume somewhere? I hear resume and my heart clenches!

Marc, that's a good idea. Some sort of discount on any of the workshops [Prep, Pages I: First Draft, Pages II: Rewrite]. Even The Quest, too. So a fourth option: (1) Actual class [5 per class, first come first serve]; (2) Lectures [immediate]; (3) 2-hour webinar; (4) Discount on any workshop or The Quest. I'll float that idea, see if there is any interest in that. I appreciate any ideas as I'm trying to do my best to fulfill that commitment [free class for "The Quest" entrants] in a sensible way that offers people the biggest degree of flexibility.

Scott, if I found myself in your situation, waaay oversubscribed, I'd like to think I'd do what you're doing - do everything I could to give everyone what I had promised I'd give them. But, everyone I know would tell me I'm insane. And they'd be right. As to whether I'd accept that judgement is another matter. Billion-dollar companies have backed out of offers when this kind of thing has happened. (Some have been sued and lost.) Some would have shut the whole thing down early if they saw how many customers were showing up in the initial days. In both cases they would be wrong for doing it, but I mention this for context. All of us who submitted loglines see what happened and we're overwhelmed just thinking about it - just considering sitting where you are sitting. I suggest you send an e-mail to everyone who submitted and say something along there lines: "Because of the overwhelming response, I would like you to accept [enter something here that is truly time-manageable by you - i.e., something that is, frankly, not just a little bit less, but rather a LOT less than your original offer]. If that's OK with you, please click this link, enter your e-mail address at the webpage so I know. However, I am still willing to provide, as best as I can, what I did originally offer. If that is your preference, please click this link, enter your e-mail address so I'll know that. Thanks." Again, not that this is right, but I've seen situations akin to yours in which the sponsors say, "Since we have received SO many submissions, we have been forced [?] to establish a new process: We will pull out 500 submissions at random and review those only." If a friend invites me over for a small party - "Free beer and pizza" - and when I show up there are 500 people there but no more beer or pizza... Well, that happens sometimes. IMO, if you changed the deal to something that requires no individual time commitment by you, e.g., something with no interactive component, (or even if you simply canceled all the "free prizes" entirely) - just giving each of us a shot, working your way through all the loglines in the deliberate way that you've outlined, that works for me. Scott, I do commend you for your commitment to the offer you made and to us, but sometimes making an adjustment is the right thing to do.

I'm also interested in this.

Lisa, didn't mean to make your heart clench! I just mean what have you written? Published or not. Unproduced or not. If you've written two spec screenplays, great. List those. If you've written some short stories, started a novel, essays for college newspaper, whatever you've done in the way of writing, I'd like to know about it. If it's not that much in the way of writing, that's okay. I'll have to rely more on the writing I see in your writing sample.

I echo the sentiments expressed here Scott. It's a wonderfully generous idea and I'm sure everyone appreciates you're aim to bring us all in on the journey. I would be really interested in following along with the participants. The dialogue could be really interesting. I've done the Prep course and working with Tom on your Pages course at the moment and for anyone considering doing them, I really can't recommend them highly enough. Great motivation, fantastic content and deadlines! Good luck to all who entered too! sam

"INQUESTSITION"

Thanks Scott! Consider my heart unclenched now. =)

Synonyms: delving, disquisition, examen, examination, exploration, inquest, inquiry, investigation, probation, probe, probing, research, study

I vote for the doing Quest "at home" for those who have entered, but not "won" a slot in the course. However, ultimately, you need to do what you have the time and energy for. Don't overextend (may be a little too late for that comment :>) ) As many have pointed out above, this whole process that you started has been very educational. And, also helped me brainstorm three ideas that may be good enough to base screenplays on. Thanks!

I vote for DYO Quest.

Scott, no matter what you decide, it's a GREAT PRECIOUS GIFT whatever you'll put out, and I am very thankful for that. If people really want to be a screenwriter and are willing to put in all the hard work they can improve their craft with all the free information you provide. I like the idea of the webinar and posting weekly a post about the subject. I'm not a big fan of overfeeding because you need to digest the information, play with it, analyze it, etc.. In stead of an Q&A after the webinar you can arrange a weekly twitter chat with a theme and let the people interact with each other, talk about the lecture and how they used it in their process, exchange experience and learn from each other.