Parker Sheppard: Inside the World of FPV Drone Piloting
Parker Sheppard (@pshepfpv), an acclaimed First Person View (or FPV) drone pilot whose volcano footage has garnered tens of millions of views, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss the art and technology behind breathtaking aerial cinematography. In this episode, Parker shares his journey from building a media agency in West Virginia to capturing erupting volcanoes in Iceland, including how he once flew so close to molten lava that his GoPro started melting. Host Ross Borden explores Parker's evolution from real estate drone tours to adventure filmmaking, diving into the technical challenges of custom-building drones, the intensive training required (with thousands of flight hours), and the viral Faroe Islands shot that launched his career. Whether you're a filmmaker looking to elevate your aerial footage or simply fascinated by breathtaking drone videos that explore impossible places, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on following creative passion and the future of immersive cinematography.
To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com00:00 Introduction to Parker Sheppard
01:22 What is FPV Droning?
01:58 Origins of FPV Racing and Freestyle
02:46 Building Custom Drones
03:42 Flying Over Crowds and Legal Requirements
04:13 Parker's Production Company Origin Story
05:36 Learning FPV - The Challenge
06:52 Daily Practice Routine
07:42 Flight Hours and Experience
08:15 From Hobby to Business
08:48 Real Estate Breakthrough
09:45 Landing the First Big Contract
11:19 Business Growth and Expansion
12:07 First Trip to Iceland
13:23 Faroe Islands Viral Moment
14:54 Iceland Volcano Rush
16:32 The Million-View Volcano Shot
17:33 Becoming a Top FPV Pilot
18:57 Moving to Utah for Passion Projects
19:47 Hotel and Tourism Work
20:16 Future Bucket List Destinations
21:18 Three Countries Question
22:02 Where to Find Parker Online
CREATOR: The Podcast
Join Matador Network CEO Ross Borden as he uncovers how top content creators turned their passions into thriving businesses. Each episode delves into creators' origin stories and biggest obstacles—from early setbacks to breakthrough moments—while revealing their strategies for growing audiences, monetizing content, and building brands while traveling the world. Perfect for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs seeking actionable insights to launch their own creative careers.
Learn more at creatorthepodcast.com
- No. of episodes: 24
- Latest episode: 2025-07-08
- Business Entrepreneurship Marketing
Where can you listen?
