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!

Straight Shootin with The Big Gun Webisode #5 How to Get More Work

In Webisode #5, Ed Victor, the Big Gun, explains ways to get more work in the voice over business. Things you can do if you're not already doing them. Networking, Groups, Ad Clubs and more!

And don't forget to order your Voice Work Hat at Voiceworkhats.com! Only $28.95 - Paypal and most major credit cards!

www.voiceworkhats.com

Over Exposure

The other day I was pretty much bitch slapped by my Manager. I was hoping for some good news, perhaps that my LA Agent had finally gotten my a gig after 145 consecutive auditions. Nope. In fact they wanted to drop me??? Yes. It's true! Something about my overexposure. Huh, I thought in this age of free digital speech and marketing, especially in the voice business, this is exactly what you're supposed to do.
Boy was I wrong! They feared I was too out there and was devaluing myself as one of their clients.
What with my Voice Actor Group on Linkedin, my Straight Shootin' webisodes on Itunes, the Reality TV show I've been writing, The accompanying book, The Facebook groups. The Youtube posts, The Twittering...the Voice Work TV Show Hats I've been selling, promoting and donating proceeds from. My monthly newsletter blasts. My networking, traveling, mentoring, tutoring, demo producing.
So, that being said, I have pulled myself from just about everything to see if my stock goes up. I am for all intents and purposes. Dead in the Water.
I'm betting no one really cared then, and no one will care as I slowly fade into digital oblivion. I am certain it won't make a difference.
So, that being said we shall see.