It's been a rough time these past few days... If you haven't heard, or weren't aware, Monty Oum, voice actor in and creator of RWBY, and the lead animator at Roosterteeth, passed away on February 1st. He was something else, a man that I aspired to be like. I would always joke with my friends, showing the last fantastic or wacky little thing he whipped up, and would preface them with the phrase, "I want to be a man like Monty Oum."
Those words have never had a stronger meaning than they do now.
Monty was one of my greatest idols. I won't lie, I was jealous of the guy. He was doing what I want to do, making his ideas real, and sharing them with people everywhere. He accomplished so much in the short, short time he was here, and it makes me feel like I'm nothing. But I know that isn't what he would want me to think. I never met him personally, but you could tell that he knew people were in the same position I was, and gave some of the wisest advice I've heard in my life. I want to be the creator he knew existed out there. So, I say again, and this time I say it with all of my heart.
I want to be a man like Monty Oum.
I want to be a man like him in the sense that I'm going to chase after my dream. I want to be able to create something entertaining, something worthwhile to people. I want to make this fictional world of mine something physical, with all the splendor I imagine it to have.
I want to be able to bring joy to someone who's in the dumps. I want to convey feelings that make people care about fictional characters. I want my silly little ideas and drawings to have the same impact that a real person would have on another's life.
So I want to be a man like Monty Oum. I'm gonna work my ass off with my drawing and animating for folk like him, because if I ever become rich, famous, or just successful from my work, it's because of people like him. The inspiration, the creativity, the devotion this man had, I only hope I could match him.
Rest in peace, Monty. It's up to us now to continue your dream.