ADETOKUMBOH M'CORMACK is an award winning actor and film maker from Sierra Leone, who has had leading roles in movies such as Captain America: Winter Soldier and TV Shows like NCIS, and his own short films, Irish Goodbye and German King (qualifying him for a 2020 Oscars Awards Nomination & Best Short Film at the Independent Shorts Awards, amongst other accolades), as well as Voice acting roles. He currently voices the character 'Isaac' in the hit Netflix animated series, Castlevania, for which he received a SOVAS nomination, for the BEST Voice Over Performance. He also voices the character, Kofi, on the Netflix animated series, Blood of Zeus.
We discussed with the 2020 Oscar Awards Qualified Filmmaker, about the life, his career, curious things about himself and his character roles, with a special segment devoted to Castlevania for the fans, and those experiences and hurdles unique to him as an afro in a super competitive industry.
The two chambers are divided between original purpose and the desire to leave order as it is.
BREAKING THE ICE
Firstly, Thank you for accepting to be one of our 'Creatives Continental' Faces for the Month.
Thanks so much. It’s an honor.
So, do tell, these recent times have been... unsettling, at best, for everyone, how have you been holding up?
Between the pandemic, and the protests, it’s been a very intense several months! My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by the pandemic and to all the heroic frontline workers risking their lives each day. This past year taught me the importance of self care. I have spent the last few months away from Los Angeles, staying with family. I’m really enjoying hanging out with my little nephew and taking care of my mental health.
Now, we bet we aren’t the only one who wants to know the history behind your Nigerian-American combo name, tell us will you?
I’m originally Sierra Leonean but was conceived in Nigeria, where my parents were working at the time. They wanted me to be born in Sierra Leone, so my mother flew back to have me. Hence the name, Adetokumboh which means “the crown came from over the sea.” The name “M’Cormack” comes from the fact many Krio are descendants of formerly enslaved people who returned to Africa. Many of our ancestors kept their western last names which they passed on to future generations.
What was childhood like for you? Give us a quick mental montage.
I think I had a pretty typical childhood. Did a bunch of theatre. Hung out with friends. I have African parents so I couldn’t get up to much trouble (laughs). I grew up mostly in Nairobi, Kenya and went to an international school. It was a melting pot of different people from around the world. We had things like International Night, where each country would do a presentation in front of the whole school and everyone got to learn about each other’s cultures, and celebrate each other’s heritage. It was awesome.
What led you into entertainment?
I’ve loved acting, ever since I was a kid. One of my earliest memories is being on stage as a Bee in a kindergarten play when I was four. When I was twelve, a casting director came to my school and asked me to audition for an American film that was shooting in Kenya. It was called The Great Elephant Escape and starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the late Leo Burmester. After I booked the job, I remember being on set and thinking I wanted to be an actor for the rest of my life. I’m just thankful my African parents were very supportive!
Before the breakthrough, what were your greatest challenges; everyone likes to get inspired, what’s your ‘main character back story’?
One of my biggest challenges was not letting setbacks or other people’s opinions, define me. Early in my career I was so insecure. I would listen to casting directors who said things like, “you are too dark”, or “your nose is too African to play a doctor or lawyer role.” So I think on a certain level I started to believe that was true. But the truth of the matter is, you can’t let other people define you. When you are proud of who you are, and where you’re from, and live in your truth, that’s all that matters. I think when you embrace yourself fully and live authentically, it makes a big difference.
Relationship wise, I’m sure many want to know what your love status is right now?
(Laughs) I am single at the moment.
We all have those moments when we lay back and relive our memories, what memories are you most fond of?
My fondest memories are vacationing with my family back in Africa. We would take trips to Mombasa, which is on the Kenyan coast. I would spend a lot of time on the beach. We would eat all this incredible sea food. It was amazing.
Are you a gamer, or are you for the movies? Or perhaps, something entirely different, what’s your favorite past time?
I am not a Gamer at all (laughs). Because I voice so many video game characters, people assume that I play video games, but I don’t. I enjoy watching films or bingeing a really good tv show. My idea of a perfect night is laying in bed, watching a good movie. If I find a good show on Netflix, you’re probably not going to see me for a couple of days. I won’t leave the house until I’ve finished the entire season (laughs).
Aside from the things you’ve got going on, what else would you have considered going into if you found the chance?
I secretly always wanted to be a professional tennis player! Except I’m terrible at it (laughs). I definitely want to get more involved in trying to get more young people to understand the power of their vote. It was incredible to see all these people turn out this past election in America and truly make a difference with their vote.
Tell us something most people just assume about you that is actually true or isn't.
I play a lot of villains so people are absolutely terrified of me! They think I am this super serious guy. I remember a couple of years ago this kid was literally shaking when he walked up to me to get my autograph. But in reality I am one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I love to laugh.
FOR THE ANIMATION FANS
What led to your joining the Castlevania team?
My voiceover agent told me about this amazing project. To be honest with you, I wasn’t familiar with the video games. But I started reading up on it and realized that it had this huge fan following. But what struck me was how different the character Isaac in the show was from the one in the game. He was so multifaceted, and nuanced and really well written. You seldom get see black characters like that in films or tv. So I jumped at the chance to audition for it. Thankfully it went my way.
Tell us anything that comes to mind when you think about Castlevania’s Isaac?
Isaac is a really smart devil forge master who was a loyal friend to Dracula. He is a deep thinker. He can be cold and ruthless but also gentle and kind. He’s a complex guy that you can’t help but root for.
Can you relate to Isaac’s perspective of humanity? Or do you disagree with it?
Blood of Zeus’ Kofi or Isaac: Who do you think is more like you?
I think it depends on my mood (laughs). I definitely related to Isaac a lot during 2020. I think many people did. There were times over the last several months I found myself very disappointed in humanity. Especially when it came to racism and police brutality. But l was encouraged to see so many hundreds of thousands of people around the world speak up and speak out against injustice. I am an optimist and I think things will get better.
How do you hope Isaac’s story plays out?
Well, there’s this line that stuck with me from last season. It was from his conversation with the Captain who tells Isaac, “If you don't have your own story, you become part of someone else's.” My hope is that Isaac’s faith in humanity is restored and he starts his own chapter. But humanity may still disappoint, so you never know!
What character you’ve voiced would you say is your favorite, and what aspect of that character bridged that connection?
That’s a tough question. Every time I start a new project, I’m like “oh this is my favorite character! (Laughs). The thing about voice over and acting in general, is that I can bring different parts of me to each new character I play. I’m working on a new show right now that requires me to use a voice that people have never heard me do. I’m really excited for people to check it out. It will be surprising for sure.
What are the things you found about Voice Acting when you first got started, that you had no idea about before?
I didn’t realize how technical it can be! You have to make sure your “p’s” aren’t too plosive otherwise they make this annoying pop sound, when you’re speaking into a mic. You also have to make sure you are breathing correctly and have enough stamina to deliver pages upon pages of dialogue. It can be a lot of hard work.
THE MAN, ADETOKUMBOH
You’ve done it all, acting, directing, producing, and even writing! What would say was your most fulfilling career moment?
Bringing The German King to fruition was pretty fulfilling because I was involved in every aspect of the production. It was an incredible feeling getting to see the whole thing come to life from inception to exhibition.
Your film, The German King was absolutely beautiful and an ode to everything a better Africa stands for, what moment did you decide “this story in particular has to be told. What was making the movie like, for you?
I was just tired of seeing negative stereotypes of African in films. I wanted to show the world how we saw ourselves - smart, powerful, dignified people who are proud of our heritage.
Making the film was really challenging. It’s a big budget short film that takes place in two different countries at the start of World War It was a lot of work. I wrote, directed, produced, starred in it and sang on the soundtrack, so I had to wear multiple hats all the time. I had a phenomenal cast and crew who honestly made my job easier. Could not have done it without them.
Do you feel everything you set out to achieve through that movie was fulfilled?
There is so much about Rudolf Douala Manga Bell’s incredible life that I couldn’t fit in a twenty minute film. The short was a proof of concept for the feature length version of the film. I completed the script and now just working on getting it financed.
Do you have some kind of routine or prep fetish for your creative process or recording sessions?
I have to do a full voice warm up before I record. Voice over can be very physically demanding. Some scenes require you to literally use every part of your vocal register. You’re literally shouting and screaming at the top of your lungs sometimes for hours. It’s very taxing so you have to make sure you’re properly warmed up and breathing correctly, so that your voice can last a full recording session.
For you, what’s the best thing about getting to do the things you do?
The best thing about what I do is that it’s so much fun. I am an adult who literally gets to play for a living. I spend hours coming up with new voices and characters when playing with my nephew. Kids are brutally honest so you get to see what works and what doesn’t (laughs). Then I bring those voices that I worked on into the recording studio.
If you could get to be cast to play, or voice any existing character, what character would it be?
I really enjoy playing historical figures. There are so many African heroes we didn’t learn about in school. During black history month you will read a little blurb about an African man who made important contributions to society and then never hear about him or her again. I think it’s important that their stories are told and their lives are celebrated.
As a black person, are there any characters voiced or acted whose experiences you most identify with and understand intimately?
I remember there was a line in Castlevania toward the end of season one, where my character meets a group of white bandits who harass him and try to kill him. Isaac asks “you don’t think I’m human?” And the bandit responds, “I just don’t care.” The bandit says something along the lines of “only my life matters.” I literally get chills every time I watch that scene because when I recorded the scene, I recalled being attacked by a group of white guys, in Los Angeles and being called a “Fu*ing n**er. The fact that was something that really happened to me, allowed me to bring so much of my own experience, to my character. And I find it so crazy how relevant the scene is to everything going on in the world today.
Can you envision yourself in collaboration with any entertainment studio on the continent?
Of course! The entertainment industry is booming in Africa and I can’t wait to start working with some of the super talented people on the continent.
What future plans do you have in the industry? What can we expect from The Man, Adetokumboh.
I have a movie coming out called “Los Angeles” later this year, as well as season 4 of Castlevania. The new season is phenomenal and I am stoked for everyone to see it. I also have some other things in the works that I can’t talk about just yet. But follow me on Instagram and Twitter @adetokumboh and stay tuned for updates.
INTERVIEW BY THE AFRO-COLLECTIVE
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