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Celebrating Two Decades: The One Foot Productions Journey
As we approach our 20th anniversary, One Foot Productions continues to evolve at the intersection of technology, creative storytelling, and flawless event execution. From humble beginnings to industry innovation, here's the story of how a joke about a "one-foot grand piano" grew into a creative force reshaping live events and entertainment.
Who We Are Today
One Foot Productions thrives where technology meets human creativity. We're the invisible hands that make the Tony Awards run smoothly, the minds crafting original content for NBA All-Star Week, the problem-solvers behind Apollo Theater's virtual galas, and the dreamers who launched an intimate music festival in the California wilderness.
Our guiding principle remains refreshingly clear: let computers handle the monotonous tasks they excel at, freeing humans to do what makes us irreplaceable – creating genuine connections, solving unexpected challenges, and transforming ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences.
The Origin Story
The name "One Foot Productions" wasn't conceived in a boardroom but born from laughter in a recording studio. While musicians typically boasted about nine-foot or twelve-foot grand pianos, someone joked about a mythical "one-foot grand piano." When our founder Kevin playfully credited an album as being "produced by One Foot Productions," the name stuck – even though the company didn't yet exist.
In 2005, a contract with the Tribeca Film Festival prompted Kevin to formally establish the LLC, transforming what began as a freelancer's side project into a legitimate business. Like many entrepreneurs, Kevin initially battled "imposter syndrome," feeling like he was merely pretending to run a real company. Two decades later, that small step has covered remarkable ground.
Our Three-Dimensional Evolution
Our journey has unfolded across three core dimensions that still anchor our work today:
Technology: While other companies focused on front-of-house systems for ticketing and marketing, we built dBocl (Database Organizing Chaotic Logistics) to solve the behind-the-scenes challenges that traditional software ignored. This platform transformed how major events operate backstage, bringing order to the inherent chaos of live production.
Logistics: We revolutionized talent management at high-profile shows. Inspired by New York City's bus tracking system, we developed a simple text-based method that allowed production teams to monitor celebrity locations in real-time. No more frantic radio chatter asking "Does anyone know where our next presenter is?" – just clear, instant information when seconds count.
Creative Development: As clients witnessed our execution capabilities, they gradually entrusted us with increasing creative responsibilities. What began with managing schedules evolved into writing show segments, directing performances, and eventually developing entirely original productions.
Unlike the industry norm of assembling independent contractors for each show, we built a cohesive company with proprietary technology. This allowed our team members to work across multiple shows simultaneously, bringing specialized expertise and proven systems to each new challenge.
The Pandemic Transformation
In March 2020, the pandemic struck with devastating speed. "Within two weeks, every single show just canceled," Kevin recalls. "It went from full speed to zero overnight."
This crisis became our most profound catalyst for creative growth. Within a month, we pivoted to virtual production – designing intimate house concerts for artists who had lost their tours, developing techniques to optimize sound on platforms like Zoom, and reimagining how to create meaningful connections through screens.
When George Floyd was murdered about a week before a scheduled virtual gala for the Apollo Theater, our team worked around the clock for four days to completely transform the event's format and tone. Despite performers "recording from their living rooms," the result became one of our most meaningful productions – a testament to how technology can facilitate genuine human connection even in the most challenging circumstances.
For Dova Dance, we crafted an immersive digital experience weaving remotely filmed performances into a narrative about family separation during lockdown. For the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, we designed a virtual adventure using Zoom breakout rooms as portals to different performances within an imaginary Victorian mansion.
Where We Stand Today
The pandemic accelerated our evolution from logistics experts to creative partners. Today, we're pursuing projects that blend our technical expertise with our passion for meaningful storytelling:
Looking Forward
As we enter our third decade, we're focused on deepening rather than just expanding – building our existing creative properties to their full potential while continuing to refine our technology platforms. For Bear Music Fest, we're pursuing sustainability and considering an east coast edition that maintains the intimate, discovery-focused approach that makes the original special.
Kevin's dream project – filming bands performing in every national park – represents our ideal fusion of music, nature, and documentary storytelling. It's a vision connecting to his father's legacy as a forest ranger and embodying our belief that the most powerful entertainment illuminates what already exists rather than manufacturing artificial experiences.
Join Us for the Next Chapter
Twenty years in, we remain guided by the philosophy that served us from the beginning: say yes to interesting challenges, create elegant solutions to complex problems, and always remember that technology should enhance human connection, never replace it.
As we celebrate this milestone, we'd love to connect with collaborators, clients, and creative minds who share our passion for meaningful experiences. Reach out to learn how we can help bring your next creative vision to life.
After all, in an industry often obsessed with scale, our name reminds us that sometimes the most distinctive perspective comes from standing just one foot tall.
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