Hey you! My name is Thomas 'TomSka' Ridgewell and I… Am an inspiration! To some people.
Hey you! My name is Thomas 'TomSka' Ridgewell and I… Am an inspiration! To some people.

For some strange reason.
For some strange reason.

The idea of creative inspiration fascinates me because it's not a simple case of person
The idea of creative inspiration fascinates me because it's not a simple case of person

one inspiring person two. No, if you are inspired by someone you are likely the ten thousandth
one inspiring person two. No, if you are inspired by someone you are likely the ten thousandth

person in an unending chain reaction of creative inspiration. An inspirational equation,
person in an unending chain reaction of creative inspiration. An inspirational equation,

which kinda rhymes. I guess. I don't know.
which kinda rhymes. I guess. I don't know.

It all would have started a very, very long time ago with person one. Who was probably
It all would have started a very, very long time ago with person one. Who was probably

a caveman and person one would have maybe made a little version of themselves out of
a caveman and person one would have maybe made a little version of themselves out of

sticks. A stickman if you will, which would have inspired person two to maybe paint that
sticks. A stickman if you will, which would have inspired person two to maybe paint that

person, that stickman, onto the wall of their cave and then person three was inspired to
person, that stickman, onto the wall of their cave and then person three was inspired to

paint a stickman and a stickwoman and so on and so forth. Then thousands on thousands
paint a stickman and a stickwoman and so on and so forth. Then thousands on thousands

of generations of inspiration later we get to you! And me! And the thing that inspire us.
of generations of inspiration later we get to you! And me! And the thing that inspire us.

It's a long equation.
It's a long equation.

Anyway, this train of thought inspired me to jump back a step in my own inspiration
Anyway, this train of thought inspired me to jump back a step in my own inspiration

equation and pay tribute to those who directly inspire me. Because they're awesome and I
equation and pay tribute to those who directly inspire me. Because they're awesome and I

love them and you should love them. Ahem... Let's go.
love them and you should love them. Ahem... Let's go.

Number one! The comic artist Gary Larson. I When I was 10 years old I discovered his
Number one! The comic artist Gary Larson. I When I was 10 years old I discovered his

comic The Far Side and it taught me the basics of subverting expectations - the foundation
comic The Far Side and it taught me the basics of subverting expectations - the foundation

of most comedy. I also ripped off the way he drew eyes to create my own original character...
of most comedy. I also ripped off the way he drew eyes to create my own original character...

Tom.
Tom.

Number Two! The artist and animator Tom DesLongchamp. A yearlater I stumbled across Tom's online
Number Two! The artist and animator Tom DesLongchamp. A yearlater I stumbled across Tom's online

videos and animations and knew that whatever that was, I wanted to do it for the rest of
videos and animations and knew that whatever that was, I wanted to do it for the rest of

my life. And that’s exactly what I did! YAY! I achieved my dreams! At a really young age...
my life. And that’s exactly what I did! YAY! I achieved my dreams! At a really young age...

Now I don't know what to do with myself.
Now I don't know what to do with myself.

Number Three! The late animator Edd Gould. Edd was a lot like Tom DesLongchamp but less
Number Three! The late animator Edd Gould. Edd was a lot like Tom DesLongchamp but less

annoyed by me. He actually let me work with him and through that I got invaluable experience
annoyed by me. He actually let me work with him and through that I got invaluable experience

writing and directing animation. I also ripped off his art style to create me own original
writing and directing animation. I also ripped off his art style to create me own original

character... Tom. Another way Edd inspired me was his unadulterated passion for creation.
character... Tom. Another way Edd inspired me was his unadulterated passion for creation.

He didn't care about money or status, he just wanted to make cartoons. Can't relate. I love money.
He didn't care about money or status, he just wanted to make cartoons. Can't relate. I love money.

Number Four! The comedian and musician Bo Burnham. Bo started out on YouTube at the
Number Four! The comedian and musician Bo Burnham. Bo started out on YouTube at the

same time as me but has since grown to be a internationally successful standup comedian.
same time as me but has since grown to be a internationally successful standup comedian.

His sense of humour, his darkness, his delivery, his struggles, his delivery. They all resonate
His sense of humour, his darkness, his delivery, his struggles, his delivery. They all resonate

pretty hard with me. Basically he's just a dude! Just a really cool dude!
pretty hard with me. Basically he's just a dude! Just a really cool dude!

Number Five. The multitalented filmmaker Dominic Fera. The only person on this list younger
Number Five. The multitalented filmmaker Dominic Fera. The only person on this list younger

than me (spit), Not only did Dom directly inspired asdfmovie with his Lazer Collection
than me (spit), Not only did Dom directly inspired asdfmovie with his Lazer Collection

series but has also since grown into one of the most talented filmmakers and storytellers
series but has also since grown into one of the most talented filmmakers and storytellers

of our generation. Basically I ship it real hard. Muah!
of our generation. Basically I ship it real hard. Muah!

Number Six. Writers and actors Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher. These two are the minds behind
Number Six. Writers and actors Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher. These two are the minds behind

the YouTube channel BriTANicK and lemme tell ya, for me, they wrote the playbook on sketch
the YouTube channel BriTANicK and lemme tell ya, for me, they wrote the playbook on sketch

comedy. Structuring, pacing, delivery. It's all just... Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! I love it so much.
comedy. Structuring, pacing, delivery. It's all just... Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! I love it so much.

Number Seven! Writer and director Joss Whedon. I mean, c'mon. Firefly, Avengers, Doctor Horrible's
Number Seven! Writer and director Joss Whedon. I mean, c'mon. Firefly, Avengers, Doctor Horrible's

Singalong Blog, Fucking Toy Story! I just... Aaah! AAAH!
Singalong Blog, Fucking Toy Story! I just... Aaah! AAAH!

Number Eight. Pendelton Ward. Pen is the mind behind both Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors.
Number Eight. Pendelton Ward. Pen is the mind behind both Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors.

He's a master of creating wonderfully insane worlds that are also incredibly dark and complex
He's a master of creating wonderfully insane worlds that are also incredibly dark and complex

below the surface. Also a shoutout to Adventure Time's show-runner Adam Muto who's leadership,
below the surface. Also a shoutout to Adventure Time's show-runner Adam Muto who's leadership,

in my opinion, has only served to make the show even better. Yeah!
in my opinion, has only served to make the show even better. Yeah!

Number Nine! Writer Dan Harmon, the creator of Community and co-creator of Rick 'n' Morty.
Number Nine! Writer Dan Harmon, the creator of Community and co-creator of Rick 'n' Morty.

Big up Justin Roiland. Dan's work doesn't just inspire me creatively, but also on a
Big up Justin Roiland. Dan's work doesn't just inspire me creatively, but also on a

personal level as a fello chunky, angry, drinker, he constantly reminds me that there's still
personal level as a fello chunky, angry, drinker, he constantly reminds me that there's still

a place in the world for people like me still. And that's a beautiful inspiration.
a place in the world for people like me still. And that's a beautiful inspiration.

Number Ten! Song-writer, word-writer, and picture-drawer  Rebecca Sugar. Not only is
Number Ten! Song-writer, word-writer, and picture-drawer  Rebecca Sugar. Not only is

Rebecca responsible for some of the best, most musical moments of Adventure Time
Rebecca responsible for some of the best, most musical moments of Adventure Time

but she also brought us Steven Universe, which is another show that is outwardly fun and vibrant, but with
but she also brought us Steven Universe, which is another show that is outwardly fun and vibrant, but with

a deep and dark undercurrent. I really like that show. I really do. I don't care what you think.
a deep and dark undercurrent. I really like that show. I really do. I don't care what you think.

Number Eleven. Alex Hirsch. Alex is the mind behind Gravity Falls which is a pretty huge
Number Eleven. Alex Hirsch. Alex is the mind behind Gravity Falls which is a pretty huge

inspiration to me in, once again, how it’s simultaneously the super goofy, fun show that
inspiration to me in, once again, how it’s simultaneously the super goofy, fun show that

takes an exceptionally dark turn. That’s exactly the kinda stuff I wanna make!
takes an exceptionally dark turn. That’s exactly the kinda stuff I wanna make!

Thank you for that show good sir.
Thank you for that show good sir.

Number Twelve. Writers and directors Chris Miller and Philip Lord. Clone High, Cloudy
Number Twelve. Writers and directors Chris Miller and Philip Lord. Clone High, Cloudy

with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 and 22 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, ugh! These guys are
with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 and 22 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, ugh! These guys are

an unstoppable comedic force and I just… I dunno how they do it. Teach me your ways.
an unstoppable comedic force and I just… I dunno how they do it. Teach me your ways.

PLEASE. PLEASE!!!
PLEASE. PLEASE!!!

Finally, the honourable mentions. The people who have inspired or influenced me in one
Finally, the honourable mentions. The people who have inspired or influenced me in one

way or another but… I don’t really have enough to say about… They are!
way or another but… I don’t really have enough to say about… They are!

Rob Denbleyker Seth MacFarlane
Rob Denbleyker Seth MacFarlane

Don Hertzfeldt Matthew Perry
Don Hertzfeldt Matthew Perry

Matt Groening Matt Wilson
Matt Groening Matt Wilson

Chris Kendall Fred Siebert
Chris Kendall Fred Siebert

Garth Ennis Dylan Moran
Garth Ennis Dylan Moran

Edgar Wright and Louis C.K.
Edgar Wright and Louis C.K.

So, those are people who have had a pretty sizeable impact on the way I go about doing
So, those are people who have had a pretty sizeable impact on the way I go about doing

the things that I do. At least, those are the ones I can remember… I drink a lot.
the things that I do. At least, those are the ones I can remember… I drink a lot.

Now, the question I have for you is, who are you inspirations and influences? Leave a comment,
Now, the question I have for you is, who are you inspirations and influences? Leave a comment,

make your own video, and spread the love or spread the lurve. How ever you want to say
make your own video, and spread the love or spread the lurve. How ever you want to say

it. If you wanna say words wrong. Whats wrong with me. Whatever! I'll see you next time.
it. If you wanna say words wrong. Whats wrong with me. Whatever! I'll see you next time.

TomSka out.
TomSka out.