How many writers typically make the first cut? Or is that too unpredictable to "ballpark"?

Erica, as I've only done The Quest Initiative once, the only reference point I have is last year. Out of 3,500+ loglines, I pulled out about 40 or so, and really mulled those over. Then I made a first cut of 21 writers, interviewing each of them, eventually going with 6 Questers in the public group and 2 others with whom I worked privately because both of them had pretty significant ties to Hollywood. Since the point of The Quest Initiative is to open doors for outsiders, I expanded the public group to make room for an equivalent number of people with no Hollywood connections. I have NO idea what will happen this time. I intend to cap the group at 4. And yet what if I find 6 or more great stories and great writers with great potential? My default mode is to say 'yes' and do 'more' because I'm passionate about what I do, and I really DO want to see people succeed as writers. And yet time is a finite thing, and even as many hours as I put into everything I do, it's a daily challenge to meet all my responsibilities. So my answer: I simply don't know. I may end up working with some officially through The Quest Initiative, then in other special cases work with writers privately on a longer term basis. Or it's possible there may be NO stories that resonate with me. We'll just have to see. As with almost everything I do, this is very much in the 'spirit of the spec.' And I admire every single person who has the courage to pursue their creativity and submit loglines because they are acting in that same spirit. As the man says in Shakespeare in Love when asked how things turn out: "I don't know... it's a mystery."

Thank you, Scott. I appreciate the response. The unknown certainly is thrilling ...

"Thrilling" is the word Erica....not sure when I have been this excited about something since my kids were born! Will you be GOYOQing at the BlackBoard if The Quest doesn't quite work out?

"Will you be GOYOQing at the BlackBoard if The Quest doesn’t quite work out?" Abso-freakin'-lutely. ;) My plan is to stack all 3 ... I know. I am trying not to let myself get too excited about it all, but I am seriously on the cusp of bursting ... I can't wait to dive in. ;)

"I will bear in mind the gender and race of writers..." So, uh... white guys need not apply, huh?

Assuming you have virtual tongue planted in virtual cheek, let me respond in all seriousness. White guys apply to the Initiative in droves. That doesn't seem to be an issue. I'm simply encouraging others to submit loglines as well.