Page 1 of 2

Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:57 pm
by Gooey98
The AIO update has reported that after finishing writing and directing Album 59, and helping to plan upcoming episodes, Paul McCusker has left his position as Creative Director at Focus on the Family to take the position of Senior Director of Content Creation at the Augustine Institute. :(
Focus on the Family wrote:It was a very difficult decision for Paul to make, and although we aren’t sure whether he will have the time to write for Adventures in Odyssey or Radio Theatre as a freelancer (as he has done several times in the past), we'll always stay in contact with him as friends. Paul has said that he's not leaving Focus so much as moving on to the next thing the Lord is calling him to accomplish.

We're sorry to see him go, but also excited for the impact he'll make in his new venture. And you can rest assured, Adventures in Odyssey will continue into the future with the same quality and mission as always. In life, change is inevitable. But God's plans never change, and our future is one of hope and joy. As Whit says, The best is yet to come."
This makes me sad. Although I'm sure this is the right decision for Paul, he was definitely my favorite AIO staff member when it came to...pretty much everything. We all know what happened the last time Paul was gone for a while...*cough cough* Albums 33-34 *cough cough* We can only hope it doesn't happen again.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:01 pm
by ArnoldtheRubberDucky
Hmm... this is pretty big news. I too will be sad to see him go, but I have no doubt the rest of the team can manage without him. I wonder who will step up to take his place as the main writer for future albums...

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:08 pm
by SirWhit
I hope this doesn't turn into another era similar to albums 33-34 where all we had was split episodes. Not saying they'll do split episodes again, but the quality might decline of Paul leaves.

Not saying that'll happen, just saying its a risk.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:09 pm
by Gooey98
Mr. Whit's End wrote:I hope this doesn't turn into another era similar to albums 33-34 where all we had was split episodes. Not saying they'll do split episodes again, but the quality might decline of Paul leaves.
Lol yeah, that's pretty much what I was saying.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:18 pm
by AIOrocks101
I hope Phil Lollar takes over as lead of the team.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:39 pm
by truAIOfan
That's a pretty good idea^. They need to have someone in charge who truly knows AIO.

Maybe the split-episodes is a sort of tribute to him leaving, because that is the thing they did last time he left.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:08 pm
by SirWhit
Gooey98 wrote:
Mr. Whit's End wrote:I hope this doesn't turn into another era similar to albums 33-34 where all we had was split episodes. Not saying they'll do split episodes again, but the quality might decline of Paul leaves.
Lol yeah, that's pretty much what I was saying.
*Reminds himself to READ THE FIRST POST OF THE TOPIC*

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:49 pm
by TigerShadow
Gooey98 wrote:We all know what happened the last time Paul was gone for a while...*cough cough* Albums 33-34 *cough cough* We can only hope it doesn't happen again.
I think that in that regard, the team has an advantage that they didn't have back in 2000, and that's that Nathan Hoobler is on the writing staff. If you look at the reviews on the now-defunct AIOHQ, you'll find that Nathan wrote several negative reviews of the split episodes; I can't see a team with him on it being all gung-ho for splits again. On a more practical level, though, I think that they know exactly the level of negative response that they got to that era; they're probably not going to try that again anytime soon.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 5:46 pm
by Bren
While I don't think Phil will take the position Paul is leaving, I can totally see him being a head writer. He's one of the few people who really knows how to write for Whit.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:46 pm
by Gooey98
Bren wrote:Phil is one of the few people who really knows how to write for Whit.
Excellent point there. Hey, that would be awesome if the character of Whit became more like is old self again! Not that I think it'll happen, but it would be cool.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:19 pm
by Jamesobie
truAIOfan wrote:That's a pretty good idea^. They need to have someone in charge who truly knows AIO.

Maybe the split-episodes is a sort of tribute to him leaving, because that is the thing they did last time he left.
Actually, I don't see why Marshall Younger couldn't take over.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 4:32 pm
by Ashley
I don't think his moving on has fazed me as much as learning he was Catholic O.o

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:00 pm
by SirWhit
He converted quite a few years ago, I believe.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:04 pm
by TigerShadow
What's so weird about him being Catholic?

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 10:36 pm
by Gooey98
ClaraOswald wrote:I don't think his moving on has fazed me as much as learning he was Catholic O.o
That surprised me as well.
Mr. Whit's End wrote:He converted quite a few years ago, I believe.
2007, to be precise. http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/st ... the_church

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 1:37 pm
by Ashley
TigerShadow wrote:What's so weird about him being Catholic?
Nothing, it just surprised me, that's all. His writing in AIO never gave away the fact, but I guess FOTF didn't let him write anything that came across as Catholic.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:33 pm
by Packers
It is sad to see him go, but I had not a clue that he's a Catholic(to bad). :(
When ever I come into direct contact with a Catholic I always get in to theology debates.
And some of my Catholic friends their faith is NOT well built........

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:35 pm
by SirWhit
Why is it too bad?

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:38 pm
by Packers
Because Catholics rely too much on works and not on the saving grace of God.

-- Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:55 pm --

Paul McCusker is a great guy, Phil Lollar would be a great replacement though it will be a tad different without Paul.

Re: Paul McCusker "moving on" from Focus

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:12 pm
by TigerShadow
There are about a billion Catholics in the world; do you seriously think that they all adhere to a doctrine of works-based salvation any more than all Protestants adhere to sola fide? It is entirely possible to be a good Christian and a good Catholic, just as it is possible to be a bad Christian and a good Protestant.