Bohdan Tůma, a prominent figure in Czech dubbing, has lent his voice to some of the most iconic film stars and characters from advertisements. His career spans numerous Czech films and series, making him a household name in the industry. In a recent interview with Milos Pokorný on the Boomer Talk podcast, Tůma shared insights into his first role, his experiences with dubbing, and his thoughts on the future of the industry.

The Voice Behind the Stars

Tůma’s distinctive voice has brought life to characters like Android Data in Star Trek, Semir Gerkhan in Cobra 11, Eric Cartman in South Park, Peter Griffin in Family Guy, and Brandon Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210. His work has also extended to video games and commercials, making him a versatile and sought-after talent.

The King of Czech Dubbing

When asked if he feels like the king of Czech dubbing, Tůma modestly responds, “To tell the truth, as the king of Czech dubbing, I do not feel, they say it around me and they play that I am a king. It is the same as at the theater where the king will never be a king of himself, the colleagues around. Some do not like me, but it is in every job, we have our sympathizers and soul mates, as well as opponents and antisympars.”

Tůma’s contributions to the industry have been recognized with the František Filipovský Award, an annual honor presented in Přelouč. Reflecting on his career, he jokes, “I guess I’ll get it in memoriam. Or for a lifelong work.”

From Mosquitoes to Miners

Tůma’s first dubbing experience was a memorable one. At around 15 years old, he dubbed a Romanian film about miners. He recalls, “I was about fifteen, it was for mosquitoes and it was a film dubbing of the Romanian film about the miners. I can no longer remember the name, but there were three miners – one old, one older and one young. And I was the young one.”

Despite the challenges, Tůma’s early experiences laid the foundation for his successful career. He remembers standing quietly in the corner, observing the masters at work. “And when we did it for the third time and the loop ended, the director Wallo said and said, ‘When will Mr. Tůma work?’ And I have no text there. ‘And did you look at the picture, young men?’ I did not notice that the young man climbed behind them with the burner, the flame was blowing, so in my first dubbing I blinked the flame on the burner in the Romanian film about the miners.”

Meeting the Legends

Tůma’s journey in dubbing has also included encounters with legendary figures. He recalls, “Speaking of those legends, I saw at work Even Mr. Filipovsky, as the film gendarme and gendarme dubbed, because my dad had friends of dubbed, who went to the wine bar on two white, so they took me there. He was Mr. Zdenda Blažek and Mr. Milan Mach. They told me to sit there quietly, watch and listen.”

He describes the experience of watching František Filipovský work, noting how meticulous and precise the process was. “And he didn’t do it anyway, it went about three times, he looked at it once, he was looking for everything else, rejoicing, dosing, I don’t know what sound he could still do. At that time I just knew that they always had to choose the best loop, and then it was gradually cut one after another. The director had to be completely finished because every loop was perfect.”

The Evolution of Dubbing

Tůma reflects on the evolution of dubbing, noting that the quality of work has improved significantly over the years. “I think the worst dubbing quality was in the nineties. This was the fact stuck with a hot needle and sewn on the knee. But at that time I was incredibly learned, trained observation, intonation, listen to the other, hear the original, actually make plagiarism into the Czech.”

He also touches on the current challenges, such as the use of AI in dubbing. “Artificial intelligence, for example, makes audio books, but it’s still heard, it’s not completely cunning. It will certainly take a job and even heard that the artificial intelligence will take the voice of an original actor and normally transform it into German or French.”

The Future of Dubbing

Looking ahead, Tůma is optimistic about the future of dubbing. He believes that while AI will play a role, human creativity and intuition will remain essential. “It is already taking the job. Artificial intelligence, for example, makes audio books, but it’s still heard, it’s not completely cunning. It will certainly take a job and even heard that the artificial intelligence will take the voice of an original actor and normally transform it into German or French.”

Tůma also discusses the importance of adapting to new technologies and tools. “The time has accelerated, but The programs help us incredibly. I think the worst dubbing quality was in the nineties. This was the fact stuck with a hot needle and sewn on the knee. But at that time I was incredibly learned, trained observation, intonation, listen to the other, hear the original, actually make plagiarism into the Czech.”

Personal Insights

Beyond his professional achievements, Tůma shares personal insights about his life and interests. He admits, “I admit that I don’t know what it is at all.” when asked if he feels like a boomer. He also discusses his love for nature documentaries and his preference for spending time in the forest.

Tůma’s reflections on his career and the industry provide a unique perspective on the world of dubbing. His experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring voice actors and industry professionals alike.

Conclusion

Bohdan Tůma’s journey in the world of dubbing is a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for his craft. His contributions to the industry have left a lasting impact, and his insights offer a glimpse into the future of voice acting and dubbing. As the industry continues to evolve, Tůma’s legacy will inspire future generations of voice actors and industry professionals.