Why Creatives Have to Make Their Own Opportunities | Walter L. Krochmal

What happens when the career you imagined evolves into something much bigger? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff reconnects with longtime friend and fellow Brandeis alum Walter L. Krochmal, whose creative life has taken him from classical theatre and international performance to voice acting, translation, interpreting, and championing independent cinema. Walter reflects on the versatility that has allowed him to keep creating through decades of change. He shares why he believes artists need to create their own opportunities, how his experiences at Cannes inspired him to build Bronx World Film, and why preserving independent and international cinema matters far beyond entertainment. The conversation also explores mentorship, creative resilience, and the importance of human networks. For Walter, mentorship isn't about one generation teaching another—it's a two-way exchange where both sides listen, learn, and evolve. At the heart of Walter's work is a simple belief about art: you shouldn't leave the same person who walked in. It’s a conversation about staying flexible, protecting your creative spark, and finding new ways to do the work that matters to you.