Karl Koelling, Managing Partner Kairos Productions

When Karl Koelling (08) relocated his family and fledgling video production company from a small, touristy town in Northern Michigan to Grand Rapids, on almost all accounts his timing was horrible.

Not only was he early into starting his business, he was nearing 40, married with kids, and—if that’s not enough—going back to school.

“Everything external told me it wasn’t the right time,” Karl admits with an air of disbelief in his voice.  Then he smiles,

“Internal motivation said, ‘No. It is the right time.’”

Koelling is the managing partner of Kairos Productions, a company that offers full production services from creative through post and anywhere in between. The word “Kairos” (pronounced kahee-ros’) has Greek origins and means “the right or opportune moment.”

Before moving to Grand Rapids, Koelling’s company developed an extensive client base with local non-profits and businesses, still he felt called to something more.

“I had heard about Compass while on a shoot and knew I needed to learn more about narrative film and story, and expand my network. So, I came down for a tour.”

That’s when things got weird.

When Karl showed up at the school, he met with instructor and producer Cort Langeland. As it turns out, the two graduated from the same college, in the same year, with same major. Somehow their paths never crossed.

After leaving the meeting, Koelling then got a phone call from his old college roommate who happened to live in Grand Rapids. The two hadn’t talked in at least six months.

“We were in the parking lot,” Karl remembered, “and it was at that moment I felt was being led into something, and that I should probably listen to it. I turned and looked at my wife and she said, ‘We’re moving to Grand Rapids, aren’t we.’”

Since going through the year-long course, Karl has become a Resident Artist at Compass and continues to grow his business.

“In some ways I think I’m operating more like an ad agency. I do homework up front for the clients. By identifying their audience and establishing their voice, I’m working with the client to build solid platforms for some really creative strategies that work.”

Recently, Kairos Productions has been working as the lead production company for congressman Pete Hoekstra’s campaign for Governor, The Buzzy Company, Sing-Song Yoga, and Mentor One—a non-profit organization working to recruit 2000 mentors for at-risk youth by 2010. Along with the corporate work, Kairos is tackling more creative endeavors.

“We’re constantly throwing stuff in the hopper. We’ve secured the funding to produce the first film of a five-part series that coincides with a popular Zondervan book. I’m also developing a documentary about learning disabilities and vision development.”

In addition, Koelling works with his camera as much as possible. Equipped with a Panasonic HVX-200 and a Brevis 35mm adapter with lenses, he hopes to hone his skill as a Director of Photography and soon be working on longer-form projects.

When it comes to filmmaking, Koelling believes he has a great responsibility to his the audience. “Truth is hard to find and communicate,” he said, “Emotions can be easily manipulated in film. And I have to be aware of that so that I’m not distorting the message to meet my own end.”

To learn more about Karl and Kairos Productions, visit www.kairosonline.com.