TomSka

1.1. Childhood and Family

Thomas James Ridgewell was born on 27 June 1990 in Suffolk, England. Tragically, his would-be twin sister, Amelia, died prenatally following a car accident that injured his mother. He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, initially in Essex until the age of four, and later in Cambridge. From a young age, Ridgewell showed an interest in filmmaking, creating short films using his parents' video camera.

1.2. Education

Ridgewell pursued his education with a focus on media. He studied at Long Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge before attending the University of Lincoln, where he majored in Media Production. During his time at the University of Lincoln, he created a series of unofficial advertisements for the university. These advertisements gained significant popularity, accumulating millions of views online and even being featured on the BBC.

2.1. Early YouTube Career

Shortly after the establishment of YouTube, Ridgewell created CakeBomb, a website where he hosted his early projects. This platform served as an initial showcase for his animated web series, including asdfmovie, and projects by his late friend Edd Gould, such as Eddsworld. As a professional YouTuber, Ridgewell began earning revenue from his videos, with reports indicating he made substantial income from his online content. Beyond his creative output, Ridgewell also uses his YouTube channel for social commentary, addressing topics such as mental health and personal relationships. From April 2016 to February 2018, he uploaded weekly vlogs to his second channel, DarkSquidge (now known as TomSka & Friends), in a series titled Last Week. This series later transitioned into Last Month which ran from 2018 to 2019, and again from 2023 to 2024.

2.2. Major Web Series and Works

Ridgewell is most recognized for his major web series, which have garnered widespread popularity and critical acclaim, establishing his unique comedic style.

2.3. Media Activities and Other Projects

Ridgewell's influence extends beyond his direct YouTube creations into broader media. In February 2013, he was featured on the cover of Wired UK as part of an article titled "How YouTube Reinvented the Entertainment Business." He was also a guest host for YouTube's first and only Comedy Week in May 2013 and for its Geek Week series in August of the same year. In 2016, Ridgewell filmed several sketches with the BBC, exploring the potential for a sketch show on BBC Three.

In addition to his video work, Ridgewell has ventured into publishing. A book titled Sam Kills Christmas, co-written with Eddie Bowley and illustrated by Dorina Herdewijn, was released on 8 November 2018. Although not primarily a musician, Ridgewell has demonstrated his musical talents by playing bass guitar in several of his videos, including "Guitar Warfare" and "Mine Turtle," the latter as a guest artist with LilDeuceDeuce. He has also participated in various video games, including voice roles in Frostpunk and a "Special thanks" credit in MADNESS: Project Nexus.

2.4. Business Activities

In 2012, Ridgewell founded TurboPunch Ltd., a media production company based in London. He currently works there alongside co-writer Eddie Bowley, overseeing the production of his various creative projects.

3.1. Religious Background and Beliefs

Ridgewell was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. However, he no longer practices this faith. Despite no longer adhering to the specific tenets of Jehovah's Witnesses, he has expressed a belief in a higher power.

3.2. Mental Health and Personal Struggles

Ridgewell has openly discussed his personal challenges and mental health journey. He has spoken about his struggles with grief following the death of his friend Edd Gould in 2012. In 2013, he was diagnosed with depression, and in 2021, he received a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He has shared these experiences with his audience, contributing to discussions around mental health awareness.

3.3. Social and Political Views

Ridgewell has publicly expressed his social and political views. He endorsed the Labour Party in the 2017 United Kingdom general election, stating that the party's leader, Jeremy Corbyn, had won him over. He has also been vocal in his opposition to both Brexit and the Conservative Party.

3.4. Relationships

On 26 December 2023, Ridgewell's long-term partner, Charlie Belle, announced their engagement via Instagram. Ridgewell later confirmed that he had proposed on Christmas.

4.1. Popularity and Recognition

Ridgewell's YouTube channel, TomSka, has experienced immense growth, boasting over 7.33 million subscribers and more than 2 billion video views as of July 2024. His prominence in the online entertainment industry was highlighted when he was featured on the cover of Wired UK in 2013, as part of an article exploring how YouTube has revolutionized the entertainment business. His participation in YouTube's official Comedy Week and Geek Week further cemented his status as a leading online content creator.

4.2. Influence of Creations

The impact of Ridgewell's creative works is evident in their widespread reach and successful adaptations. The asdfmovie series, in particular, has spawned successful spin-off projects, including the card game Muffin Time: The Random Card Game, which raised over 1.00 M GBP on Kickstarter. Its sequel, Don't Press That Mine Turtle, also saw significant crowdfunding success, raising over 300.00 K GBP. The inclusion of his song "Beep Beep I'm a Sheep" in the popular video game Just Dance 2018 demonstrates the cultural penetration of his work beyond traditional online platforms.

5.1. Web series

5.2. Short films

5.3. Feature films

5.4. Video games

5.5. Publications

• Asdfbook (2010)
• Zack Comic (2010-2011)
• Art Is Dead, the asdf book (2015)
• Sam Kills Christmas (2018)