We recently had the chance to connect with Tom Sys and have shared our conversation below.
Tom, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
The answer to this question has been the same for many years. The things that inspired me to pursue a career in the arts are the same things that make me lose track of time and help me find myself. Since I was a child, when my aunt would take me to see live theatre or when I would go to the movies after school exams, I would forget everything that existed outside the world unfolding in front of me. In those moments, I lost track of time, and afterward, things always felt different. Live theatre and films have always had a profound impact on me; they could change the rest of my day, sometimes my week, and some experiences even changed my life. All those small changes have taught me more about myself and shaped the path to who I am today. Even now, when I immerse myself in this art, it continues to do that. It reminds me of who I am and of the path I’m on. That, to me, is the beauty of art and the place it holds in my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
At 17, I traded my small village in Belgium for the biggest city of them all, New York City, in pursuit of my dream to become a professional actor. While in school, I took the advice to “go make your own shit” quite literally and began creating my own work. Five years, countless culture shocks, and a ton of content later, I’m now 23, based in Los Angeles, and have carved out a place in the film industry by crafting compelling stories on a budget.
As an actor, I recently appeared in the Paramount+ series “Mafia Spies”, starred in the world premiere of “A Froggy Becomes” at the Open Fist Theater Company, and continue to perform with Ratmilk, LA’s fastest-growing improv group, which I’ve been part of since its early days.
On the filmmaking side, I co-founded a production company through which I produced, wrote, and directed a wide range of projects, starting with small branded content and short films, and culminating in the documentary hit “A Queen’s Runway”, where I served as a director, executive producer, and editor. The film is now streaming globally on Netflix and is available for pay-per-view on Amazon Prime and iWantTFC. Recently, I chose to leave that company to refocus on my own path as an actor and filmmaker. These days, I’m collaborating with incredible artists across Los Angeles in both capacities, and I’m excited to share more work with the world soon.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The first example that comes to mind isn’t a single moment but an experience. Growing up in Belgium, I was fortunate to travel widely and see many parts of the world. Each trip taught me something new, but the experience that truly reshaped my perspective was moving to the United States, first for school, then for work. Because this chapter of my life has been fairly long-term, it’s gone far beyond a fleeting glimpse or a short-lived lesson. It has allowed the culture of this country to become part of my growth as an adult.
In the past, my view of the world was always filtered through comparisons to Belgium, but that’s no longer the case. Now I’m able to maintain a more consistent perspective and appreciate each new thing I learn on its own terms, because I deeply understand how different life can be around the world.
This shift has enhanced my work as well. For instance, when I am in the US or in Belgium, acting or producing films or theatre, I know the workflow, the communication standards, and the expectations. But when I traveled to the Philippines for months, filming “A Queen’s Runway”, things were different. But my previous experiences of moving away and getting to work paid off here. I immersed myself in a new culture and was able to adapt, collaborate, and progress much faster than before. This allowed me to deliver stronger work, which paid off in the long run.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Over the years I’ve spent professionally pursuing a career in the arts, I’ve learned that mistakes aren’t just inevitable, they’re essential. Looking back, some of my hardest failures came from poor business decisions, unhealthy attitudes, and toxic relationships. At the time, each felt devastating. But without those missteps, I wouldn’t have developed the resilience, insight, and discipline that now define my work.
Most of us carry a natural fear of failure because, frankly, it hurts, especially when we care deeply about what we do. Yet, after stumbling and recovering repeatedly, I’ve come to see mistakes as powerful teachers rather than setbacks.
One piece of advice that stuck with me came from Woody Harrelson, who, when asked by Matthew McConaughey how he handles mistakes, replied simply: “I just forget about it.” That perspective has shaped me. I’ve learned to acknowledge the lesson, let go of the destructive feelings, and turn my focus toward the next step.
That mindset, moving forward rather than dwelling on what went wrong, has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve gained on this journey.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
It’s funny this question comes up, because the person who immediately comes to mind is the man I just mentioned, Matthew McConaughey. People close to me know he’s a hero of mine, not just for his acting, but for the way he carries himself at the top of one of the toughest industries in the world. He clearly defines his values and stands by them without compromise.
Many of us who aren’t yet at his level feel pressure to trade our principles for success. McConaughey proves there’s another way. He’s built his career on values like leading with kindness and prioritizing family, principles I try to follow closely. In contrast, I’ve seen peers lean on harshness to get ahead or neglect their families entirely. McConaughey shows you don’t have to sacrifice your morals to achieve greatness; in fact, living by them can be your greatest advantage. That lesson has shaped the way I approach both my work and my life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
I think I’d build whatever it takes to make immortality impossible. I believe life’s beauty comes from its finiteness. Knowing our time is limited pushes us to strive, create, and cherish the present. If everyone were immortal, urgency would vanish, and with it, much of what makes our lives meaningful.
Of course, I often wish each day were twice as long. But it’s the very pressure of time that drives me to work hard, create, and savor every moment. At 23, I’m deeply aware that this is a unique season of life, full of possibility and energy, and I refuse to let a day pass without making progress in my work and finding joy in it. Without the boundaries of time, I don’t think any of us would feel the same drive to live fully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vimeo.com/tomsys
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_sys/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sys-633a11233/
- Other: https://www.netflix.com/title/82010178
Image Credits
Kobe Gerousse, Wout Gerousse, Yancy Perez, Jai Murcillo
