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frederator-studios · 6 years

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Adetokumboh M’Cormack: The Frederator Interview

Adetokumboh M’Cormack is an actor and producer who also (coolly neglected to mention to me that he) directs and writes. He just directed a live action, period-set short, The German King. You might recognize Ade from Lost, Heroes, 24, Captain America: The Winter Soldier or your pick of syndicated crime dramas - pick one, he’s probably appeared in it. We are very lucky to work with Ade on Castlevania, in which he plays Isaac, an ally of Dracula’s, Devil Forgemaster and new character in season 2. Read on for Ade’s perspective on acting, favorite vampire film (a surprisingly gooby pick for this serious Actor), and discussion of Isaac - including a clip of him in character!

Why did you choose to be an actor?

Gosh, I don’t think I really had much of choice to be honest (laughs). It’s always been something that I just knew I had to do. I grew up in Kenya and went to this school in Nairobi called Braeburn. It had a state of the art theatre where we performed all these plays. I made sure I was in every one - I just loved performing. My dad's story is that when I was around ten, I got cast in a musical called Rats - based on The Pied Piper of Hamelin. I played this awesome lead role as the Rat Leader! (laughs). But my dad took me out of the play because he wanted me to focus more on my studies. I just remember being super bummed about the whole thing. After a few days, the school’s Headmaster called my dad in for a meeting and said “Your son is sad. For goodness sake, you have to put him back in the play!” He did, and I immediately cheered up. My dad later told me that it was at this point that he knew this wasn’t just a hobby to me. I was actually serious about Acting. My parents were super supportive ever since.

What do you love about Acting? So many things! I love studying people. Humans are such wonderfully complex, nuanced creatures. So to get to walk in someone else’s shoes and become a different person, and discover who they are and what makes them tick and convey how they feel - it’s just fascinating. As people, we have so many layers. And I love putting those layers onto my characters. Why do they make certain choices? What secrets are they hiding? I have a lot of fun creating characters. Do you enjoy any aspect of voice acting in particular? I really enjoy doing different things with my voice and vocal register to create different characters, and I enjoy putting on different accents. But I really just love words. And languages. And how things like alliteration can convey a certain feeling. Take Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, or Shakespeare for example. When Macbeth says to Banquo, “To-night we hold a solemn supper sir,” there’s something very serpent-like and ominous because of the “s” sounds. So when the actor says it, the audience feels that. When I read a script, I look for how I can employ the rhythm of the words, the vowels, the use of consonance, to effectively set the picture for the scene. And Warren Ellis is such a talented writer, he uses a lot of these devices. Voice Acting in some ways is harder, because you cannot rely on anything else. People aren’t seeing your facial expressions or gestures. All you have is your voice and that microphone that picks up EVERYTHING. You cannot have one false moment because it’s amplified. So everything boils down to being truthful under imaginary circumstances. You put every ounce of your being into being truthful, and making it come through in your voice. Whenever I’m in the studio, I’m super animated. I fully act out the scene and try to make the situation as real for myself as possible. Only then can it be real for your audience/listener. I’m usually a sweaty mess by the end of it. But when you see it all put together with the animation, it’s awesome!

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How were you introduced to Castlevania as a potential project?

I really enjoy period pieces, and who doesn’t love a good Dracula story? So when my agent first told me about the project I was intrigued. And then when I started reading the script, I was blown away. I really liked the story and characters. And of course with Adi Shankar at the helm, you know you’re going to have something awesome. I remember after I watched his Power Rangers short a couple of years back I was like “whatever this guy does next, sign me up!” (laughs). Needless to say, I was really impressed by the finished product. What do you look for in a project? Do you gravitate toward certain genres? I definitely gravitate toward drama. And I’m a big fan of historical pieces. I’m getting ready to shoot a film called The German King about an African leader who rises up against German colonial rule in World War I. But the most important thing that draws me to a script is the writing. I love a well written piece with interesting, fleshed out characters. What about Isaac’s character compelled you to take the role? When you first meet Isaac in season 2, he’s having this intense, philosophical conversation with a dead creature. You start getting an insight into his intellect. Isaac is super smart. And you start understanding more about who he is, and what drives him. Villains are so often portrayed without much depth - everything’s black or white. But over the course of the season, you gain insight into Isaac’s complex mind, and you find that his motivation is seeded very, very deep. And the fact that it is written into the script that he is an African man. That made me jump at the chance to play this role. You don’t often get to see black people, or people of color portrayed in this way in period pieces, nor with the opportunity to have such rich dialogue. What more can you tell us about Isaac?

Isaac is a really interesting fellow. He has the outward appearance and quiet, peaceful demeanor of a Sufi ascetic. But there’s a lot going on within him. He had a very difficult childhood. He was severely abused. He traveled across much of Africa and the Middle East as a kid. He learned magic from a renegade occultist’s books. And when we meet him in season 2, he’s a Devil Forgemaster, and fiercely loyal to Dracula.

Did his traumatic past present a challenge as you got in touch with his character? Isaac has lived a horrific life. I did a lot of research and read literally everything I could about him. Then I created his backstory, chronicling a timeline of when and where certain things happened to him. I made the people who hurt and abused him very specific. How old was he when this happened? How did that make him feel? When did he commit his first murder? What were the major turning points in his life that contributed to him becoming the man we meet in Castlevania season 2? I needed to make him as specific as possible, in order to make him real. As an actor, you have to go there, even if it’s very uncomfortable. What is your favorite media representation of Dracula / Vampires-at-large? I watched this film called What We Do In the Shadows recently. That has to be one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen about vampires. You’ve got these male vampires knitting and being very uncool and unsexy and it’s just hysterical. It definitely puts a different spin on the whole vampire genre. What do you think Castlevania brings to the canon that is unique or new? Well, Dracula and co. are certainly not the funny, awkward vampires we see in WWDITS, that’s for sure (laughs). Dracula is powerful. I mean, super powerful. And terrifying. The vampires in Castlevania can take on these massive beast like forms. They are next level. But at the same time, there is a very human side to this Dracula as well. You’re seeing someone who fell in love, and suffered loss. And over the course of seasons one and two, you get a better understanding of who he is and why he’s filled with so much hate for humanity.

What TV shows are you a fan of? Do you regularly watch animation? Right now Ozark and Wentworth are my favorite shows. Pamela Rabe is probably my new favorite villain. I'm still catching up so don’t tell me what happens! (laughs) I don’t normally watch animation, but I started to see what else was out there, especially in anime, after working on Castlevania. Right now I’m watching Last Hope which is really cool.

How has the experience of working on Castlevania been overall?

It’s been amazing. The team is really great. Our Director Sam Deats and Voice Director Meredith Layne, and Warren, Adi, and Kevin - they have all been so incredible to work with. And I’ve had the chance to work with some brilliant actors whose work I’ve come to respect over the years. I’m a huge fan of Graham McTavish so getting to play off of him in the studio has been a really awesome experience. What do you like best about playing Isaac?

The fact that he’s a badass with supernatural powers (laughs). He’s got these superhuman fighting skills and uses all these cool weapons in combat. He’s like a superhero. And he’s got all this dialogue that’s just fantastic. It’s fun to play this compelling, layered character who has an awesome character arc over the course of season 2. And I love the fact that he’s a black man. We never really see black characters portrayed like this in the media, especially during that time period: the 1400’s. I hope this opens doors to casting more people of color in interesting, robust roles that play against stereotypes.

Do you relate to any aspects of Isaac’s character?

Definitely his loyalty. I’m a loyal friend. And I like to think that I’m the type of person who would sacrifice a lot for someone I love. And also if there’s a cause that I believe in, then I throw myself into it 110 percent (laughs). I like to see things through.

Have anything to say to fans of the series, in advance of season 2?

Season 1 was amazing. But season 2 takes it to a whole new level. Get ready.

Follow Ade on Twitter and Instagram.

Thank you for the interview Ade, and your incredible work as Isaac this season! Can’t wait to see what you do next - in Wallachia and otherwise.

- Cooper ❀

(ANOTHER!? Before you smash a mug on the floor, hit these links to Graham McTavish’s and Richard Armitage’s interviews)

#castlevania #season 2 #netflix #The Frederator Interview #castlevania netflix #isaac #ade mccormack #adetokumboh #the german king #actor #interview #dracula #director #lost #24 #captain america

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wits-writing · 6 years

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Castlevania Season 2 (TV Review)

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[Season 1 Review Here]

Netflix’s animated series Castlevania comes back to round out the story of Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha Belnades ( Alejandra Reynoso) and Alucard (James Callis) work together to find a way to bring down Dracula (Graham McTavish) in his mission to wipe out humanity.

Series writer Warren Ellis and director Sam Deats return to deliver paralleling narratives between the heroes and villains as the self-destructive nature of Dracula’s vengeance on the world becomes evermore clear. The technical compliments I gave to the series in its first season, stellar fight animation and overall design reminiscent of the most iconic entries in the game series, remain consistent here and are even further improved on. Outside of covering where I feel those technical improvements helped the most, this review will mainly cover the character journeys from throughout the season in as spoiler-free a manner as possible.

[Full Review Under the Cut]

Back when I covered season 1, I discussed how I was disappointed in the lack of varied monster designs. Season 2 rectifies that by pulling more monsters in from the games to fill out Dracula’s hordes. Monster variety feeds into variety within the monster fights. Trevor defending the Belmont Hold shows a lot to how this works to the fight scenes’ advantage. Each monster has different sizes, strengths and abilities that he needs to account for in addition to shifting circumstances of what items he can use. I took greater notice on my second viewing of the season how the visuals communicated Trevor taking notice and working around the defenses of each monster in succession during this sequence, whether he used the Morningstar, his sword or a stick. The design work also adds to the vampire generals working for Dracula. Each design calls upon different cultures and their folklore about vampires, showing how far Dracula’s influence reaches in the world of monsters. On principle of design alone, the monsters and vampires are clear mark ups from the previous season.

A minor note where it could be said they fall flatter than last time, the monsters are more purely bestial this time around. No moments like the church scene from season 1 this time around, where a monster will stop to taunt its victim before tearing into them. It also applies to most of the vampire generals not backing up their dynamic designs with powerful personality. Why this element lacks in these examples comes down to this season having more characters in antagonistic roles, so there’s less need for some random creature to go through a speech like the church scene.

Among the notable villains this season is the boorish Viking vampire, Godbrand (Peter Stormare). He’s the first example we’re shown of dissent within Dracula’s court. Stormare gives Godbrand a boisterous thrill from hunting for humans on its own, shown off in a flashback where he shouts out his own name in triumph during a slaughter. Keeping that side of the character’s personality from becoming too one-note comes back to how he’s quick to call out the holes in the pretense of Dracula’s plan to wipe out their “livestock.” His presence adds humor to what could otherwise be sullen moments in Castle Dracula. Godbrand’s role in the grand scheme of the season is minor, but he’s memorable for the time he’s given.

Operating less in dissent than subterfuge among Dracula’s court, Carmilla (Jaime Murray) arrives in the season’s second episode with her own plans in mind to seize control of the vampire community for herself. It all begins with a simple but cutting question for Dracula asked in front of the entire court, why he never turned Lisa into a vampire. She continues prodding the Lord of Vampires by questioning how much he truly loved Lisa, referring to her as his “pet” and “prize breeder” at different points. Her machinations provide the narrative thrust for the vampiric half of the season’s story. She knows the right way to get under the skin of everyone she needs to manipulate. As she works to get all the pieces where she needs them, there’s an underlying anger to her. It’s an attitude driven by how smallminded she finds everyone else’s motives, seeing the other’s in Castle Dracula as overgrown children rather than peers.

Central to Carmilla’s manipulations is one of Dracula’s human servants, Hector (Theo James.) He works in the castle as one of two Devil Forgemasters, bringing the dead back to life and transforming them through alchemy to add to monsters of the night hordes. Hector’s skill at forging comes from the art of the act itself, seen in how he keeps a large array of revived animals for himself outside of the tasks set for him. There’s a bizarre semi-detached outlook to how he views living creatures. While he sees no problem with the desecration of innocent victims’ corpses to create monsters, he still believes in the inherent value of life. His abilities as a Forgemaster letting him make life from death adding to his view that he has a deeper understanding of the true nature of life. Others seeing through this outlook to the man who simply wants to put his skills to use can manipulate him by playing on his beliefs. Dracula convinces him to go along with the crusade to wipe out humanity by lying about it’s true nature, saying the end goal is to cull humanity into a manageable size then “mercifully” treat them as livestock. Carmilla gets him on her side by saying she needs someone Dracula will hear out. She even gives him a surface level amount of respect until the moment she already has what she needs from him.

Less open to manipulation is Dracula’s other Forgemaster, Isaac (Adetokumboh M’Cormack), as his loyalty to the Vampire Lord runs deep in his soul. He’s the one person in the castle who was given the full truth of the war against humanity before it began and still dedicate himself to it. There’s no affection left in his heart for humanity after years of suffering at the hands of others, even those who should have protected him. While he denounces even the idea of love and ponders the futility of loyalty, his dedication to Dracula is unrivaled by any other alliance in this show. He doesn’t exempt himself from the “plague” of humanity, as we see him self-flagellate in order to “purify” his body and focus his mind. In contrast to Hector, Isaac’s cynicism about other people makes it near impossible to manipulate him. When he begins to see the likes of Godbrand and Carmilla question or scheme against Dracula’s goals, he sees his worldview proven correct as even vampires are susceptible to the “corruption” that plagues humanity.

Dracula values that perspective on both vampires and humanity from his Forgemasters. He values their loyalty above others as the only members of his court “not driven by thirst.” The vampire generals in the castle don’t see any values in humanity, not even the negative ones Dracula focuses on. He needs Isaac and Hector to confer with, so he has their understanding of humanity as thinking creatures, rather than as prey, livestock or pets. Graham McTavish’s performance this time around focuses in on how Dracula is past the rage that spurred his quest to get vengeance on humanity for what happened to Lisa. He’s softer spoken and sullen. His overall demeanor communicates how above everything, he’s just waiting for the end. Dracula has quick reassurances ready for those like Godbrand, worried about what the food supply will be like once the war is done, saying that they will be looked after. While Carmilla’s remarks about how never turning his wife into a vampire proves he didn’t truly love her brings out his fury. His crusade is referred to on multiple occasions as a prolonged suicide, one where he intends to take everyone else down with him. How much love and loss have changed the Vampire Lord’s outlook is shown as his present self gets contrasted with a flashback as Dracula remembers how he used to savor the detail of destruction and death. In the present, he’s willing to play right into Carmilla’s treacherous hands “as long as it brings silence.”

The other half of season 2’s story details how Trevor, Sypha and Alucard begin to grow into more of an alliance as they go to what remains of the Belmont estate to find a way to track and entrap the evermoving Castle Dracula. Alucard easily gets the most expansion in characterization this season, since he didn’t fully appear until the end of season 1’s last episode. He’s set on what he must do, even if the notion, “Honoring my mother by killing my father” as he puts it, leaves him uneasy. Carrying the weight of this mission is likely part of why he constantly goes at Trevor in their back and forth of snarky remarks. Another part of his unease around Trevor comes from how the Belmonts are vampire hunters and he’s half-vampire. When the trio makes it to the Belmont Hold, Alucard mainly sees it as a museum dedicated to the extermination of his species. By the end, his relationship with his father is what gets put up front and center during the climactic battle in Castle Dracula. Some of his angst may also be a product of him being “an angry teenager in an adult’s body”, as Sypha puts it when she learns Alucard aged rapidly growing up.

Among the trio of heroes, Sypha’s characterization this season is more of a mixed bag in terms of what I liked about it. A lot of what doesn’t work about her character this time comes down to her being placed in the role of rolling her eyes as Trevor and Alucard go through their back and forth of verbal jabs. Her getting some jabs of her own in on them both and vice versa provides some good material, on average I’d say the banter between the three of them is one of the best parts of the show, but she’s usually stuck playing the straight-man for jokes to bounce off. Sypha’s best material this season comes from her reacting to the experiences life outside of the Speakers has provided her in such a short period of time. She marvels at the Belmont family’s collection of ancient recorded knowledge, impressed enough to denounce her people’s dedication to only obtaining and passing down knowledge through memorization and oral history. Her magic makes her the main player in the plan to ensnare Castle Dracula and she finds exhilaration in her ability to accomplish that. Her more intimate, personal moments with Trevor and Alucard provide some further insights into their characters, as she tends to see right through them.

While I found Sypha’s material this season to be a mixed bag, the problem with Trevor’s characterization is that he doesn’t grow much beyond where we ended with him in season 1. There he ended with a new resolve to carry on the Belmont family legacy as monster hunters protecting the innocent from the terrors lurking in the night. He’s still dedicated to that cause now, but the way it manifests this time is the story using him as a delivery system for exposition about the history of the Belmonts as the trio spends most of the season within his family’s underground library. He’s not totally informed on everything about his family’s history, since they were driven out of their home when he was twelve, a bit of his nostalgia for happier days shines through as they approach the estate. If there are major developments for Trevor this time, one of them comes in the form of him stepping up to determine strategy during combat and other moments of peril. Another comes from his relationship with Sypha starting to show the potential to become something more, as the man with no family and the woman with no home become closer over the nights leading up to the attack on the castle. His interactions with Alucard are very action-adventure story style guys who piss each other off but ultimately earn each other’s respect in the end.

In case this amount of analysis on each major player in Castlevania season 2 wasn’t enough of an indication, this season has a lot more going on in it than season 1 did. If I wasn’t pausing to take notes as often as I did upon my second go through of the season, I know there would’ve been plenty I had missed and not all of it gets the screen time to fully develop. There are plenty of paralleling moments, themes and character beats between the stories in Castle Dracula and the Belmont Hold. The importance and power of collected knowledge is a major one and ends up tying back into an overall theme of family legacy that ties together Trevor, Sypha and Alucard as they become more of a team. The way these themes resolve in the final battle with Dracula managed to get me emotional on both watches. Castlevania on Netflix has firmly placed itself as my favorite original animated show on the platform with this season and I look forward to seeing how the threads left at the end of this one lead into season 3.

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