What better way to self deprecate than with Out Takes and Bloopers!

You know, sometimes when you're at a loss for creating content, especially free content, like my series Straight Shootin' with the Big Gun, you do one of two things. You create

1. A Best of Show...

or

2. Out Takes and Bloopers.

Well I chose to create the latter. Ten episodes worth of the funny behind the scenes stuff.

Oh my sides.

So enjoy at my expense.

A New Logo Idea. My identity crisis.

Recently, I started kicking around the notion that my marketing efforts just aren't working. God knows I've spent a fortune creating and promoting myself as the Big Gun. The notion that came from the fact that I've been doing advertising, marketing and voice work for over 20 years. I mean the logo was created by the same Hollywood design and movie poster company that created the graphics and movie posters for everything from Billy Elliot to Sideways to The Wrestler, not to mention the Raiders of the Lost Ark franchise. There was the photo shoot in LA, the travel, the website design, the business cards, letter head...on and on.

The logo was carefully designed with the Neuman 416 Shotgun microphone. Get it Shotgun Microphone. The actual gun I am holding is the real prop gun from the 1972 Dirty Harry Movie. The same one Clint Eastwood gripped oh so many years ago.

Then, because I'm not getting the work I think I should be getting, or the agents I believe I

should be working with, I start second guessing myself. Is it me? Is it my voice? Is it the economy? Hmmmmm it must be my logo. Yeah, that's gotta be it. I know, I'll start from scratch by pulling what I call a "Madonna". After all, she's the queen of reinvention and it works!

So, I started kicking around some new branding ideas. My last name is Victor, so I should go with

something based off the RCA Victor franchise? After all, that was the name I was called, or should I say relentlessly chided by in grade school.

Yeah great. I'll go with that. Besides, I can always use another law suit to give me something to do. So how do I make it my own...I know, I'll throw my trademark hair on the dog that should

change it up. Make it interesting and all. Yeah, that's the ticket and throw some sun glasses on the dog to show how really cool the dog is.

After I paid off the artist I realized what a stupid idea this was. So it was back to the drawing board. Then I thought, why not just go with my name - Ed Victor. Sounds like a great voice over name anyway.

Yeah let me try that.

But like all voice over people this new graphic designer threw the dreaded microphone in. The Microphone is the universal symbol of HE MUST BE A VOICE ACTOR! Right? The name looks fine but another microphone graphic...how pedestrian.

Now here's another idea speaking of microphones. Why not take my trademark hair. One of my most recognizable attributes and throw it on a microphone. I mean shit, it's the best of both worlds right? My hair on a microphone!!! Brilliant.

Yeah...until you see it. Looks like a Mr. Potato Head sort of thing, Or one of those M & M characters. Or a Weeble on a stick. It just doesn't work. Maybe I should change my name to Harry Mike. Yeah, Harold Harry Mike. Chances are Neuman will sue me for infringing on their fucking microphone design. And like I said earlier, just what I need another law suit to pass the time of day with.

So, after all is said and done, I think I'll stick with my original logo. The Big Gun. Unless someone else can come up with something better. This is my friends is my Identity Crisis.

The things we get to do in this whacky business

So, today was another good day. And it's always a good day when you're doing voice work. Interestingly enough, today's assignments were voices for an interactive ride - like you'd see at a fair, and a voice over for a machine that makes dog tags. "Soldier, insert your money now!" and "Be Brave! We're Counting on You Soldier!" Huh...who knew. But work is work right?

Beyond that an ISDN hook-up back to Detroit for Ford and now time to write the next webisode of Straight Shootin with the Big Gun...This week's webisode is about Branding Yourself - so until tomorrow. Shake your groove thing soldier!

Tell the world what you do! And help kids at the same time!

Well the good news is - we sold out of our first run of hats...so thanks to everyone for that. The better news is the new shipment arrived from the factory today! So, what are you waiting for???

Why not order yours today.

The proceeds of each hat sold goes directly to the Children's Health Fund. A charity set up by singer/songwriter Paul Simon to aid children and their families who can't afford proper medical care.

Voice Work hats are embroidered with the Voice Work Logo. 100% distressed cotton twill in Black or Stone. One size fits all.

Paypal and all credit cards welcome.

http://www.voiceworkhats.com

Straight Shootin' with the Big Gun Webisode #9 Recording Studio Etiquette

Just back from Deeeeeeeeetroit, Michigan, Ed Victor has just posted Webisode #9 of Straight Shootin' with the Big Gun on Recording Studio Etiquette.

These days, most voice actors are working from home. So, what happens when you get the call to head into the studio? Here's a refresher on getting back to basics in a recording session.

Thanks to RMS Studios, in Birmingham, Michigan, USA for letting us use their studios. RMS, now celebrating 20 years!

Check them out at www.rmsdetroit.com.

Thanks again to Randy for his hospitality and Miko for providing the engineering of our session.

Hey and don't forget to buy our Voice Work Hat, as seen in the webisode, now available at VoiceWorkHats.com