Sunday, February 22, 2009

Muriels: An Announcement

Good evening, everyone. I hope you’re all enjoying this countdown to tonight’s announcement of the winner of this year’s final Muriel Award, the Golden Muriel for Best Picture. But before we announce the 2008 “nominees,” I’ve got an announcement.

Effective tonight, following the final awards announcement, I will be stepping down as the administrator of the Muriel Awards, because of personal reasons.

Now, before you get worried, let me assure you that everything is fine with me. I’m happy in my personal relationships (especially with my lovely girlfriend), and I consider myself fortunate to be in a relatively stable job.

The issue is one of time. Namely, I don’t have a whole lot of it. At the beginning of January, I began taking college courses again, in the hope of getting a better education in business. I suppose the idealist in me hopes to be part of the solution to our current economic crisis rather than part of the problem. So now, between my current full-time job, the paid writing I do for Screengrab, my studies, the occasional trip to the movies, and of course Angela, my schedule is tight enough. But the demands required to run the Muriels are time-consuming, and I just don’t have the time to continue to do it.

But have no fear- I’ve been grooming a successor all lined up. Beginning this upcoming year, the Muriels head honcho will be none other than my old pal Steven Carlson. Ever since we ruminated on the idea of starting up some online movie awards over dinner between sections of Out 1 back in December 2006, I’ve considered Steven to be a valuable member of the Muriels voting body. This year, Steven has graciously volunteered his time and efforts to help with the official site, and next year he’ll be running the show. I’m confident that in his hands the Muriels will continue to be a force for good in the sometimes dicey world of online film criticism.

So to all you Muriels voters, whether it’s your first year or you’ve been with us from the beginning, I’d like to thank you for your participation in the Muriels. Without each of you, none of this would have been possible. Whether you’ve contributed written pieces, designed images, plugged the Muriels on your sites, or simply voted, your participation has allowed this to become what it is today. I appreciate everything you’ve done for the Muriels and for me, and I hope you will extend Steven the same courtesy next year.

Next year, I’ll continue to be involved in the Muriels, but as a voter and, as needed, an advisor to Steven and the others in charge. Until then, I hope you all will stay in touch with me, whether it’s here, on Screengrab, on Twitter, or via e-Mail. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for the Muriels, and I’m proud I could have played some part in it.

4 comments:

Lucas said...

Paul, you're the best. Image saddened, but confident things will be fine

Steve C. said...

Very graceful passing of the reins, Mr. Clark. Well done indeed. I'll try to keep things as they were, I promise.

And the official site will be totally operational within a day or two -- just gotta get the front page all finished 'n' stuff...

Jason_alley2 said...

All I can say is that you're leaving some big shoes to fill!

Excellent job, dude.

Bryan Whitefield said...

You've done a really good job with this. I'm glad it will continue. There has been some really good writing compiled and it's satisfying to see an alternative to the mainstream awards and sites devoted to trying to handicap how they will turn out. Thanks for your hard work.