Quarantines imposed by the global pandemic led people to look for new forms of entertainment, if not only to subdue the anxiety of being cooped up and isolated. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu had already set a precedent for how people were watching films and television programs. But in the wake of COVID19, the already existing streaming platforms saw a huge jump in subscriptions. Added to these established options was the introduction of countless other streaming platforms. All of these streaming options provided people around the world, regardless of their interests, with a way of connecting with the world outside of quarantine through novel entertainment programs.

For many of the newer streaming platforms, they needed to find ways to compete with the big names like Netflix. Unfortunately, these platforms don’t have access to the budgets of large production studios. However, with new emerging technology like drones, many of these up and coming streaming platforms have found ways to provide original, engaging entertainment at a fraction of the cost. One such platform is Outside+, a subsidiary of the outdoor multimedia firm based out of Boulder, CO, Outside.

Founded in 2017 by the avid skier, cyclist, and lover of the great outdoors Robin Thurston, Outside has become a premier membership program providing media on outdoor sport and living lifestyles. Following the entertainment streaming trend, Robin expanded Outside’s reach to a streaming program featuring original content of people around the world adventuring in the outdoors. The key to creating such content, sending the adventurers out into the world with a drone.

Drone technology has made it possible for anyone to become a filmmaker. In fact, many Hollywood productions would not be of the quality they are without the use of drones. But for an independent film like one of Outside’s most recent projects, Sugar Mountain, a drone means that there is no need for complicated, expensive equipment and an additional camera crew. Produced by Norwegian outdoor gear company, Helly Hansen, and directed by Richard James, Sugar Mountain, is a bare-bones production with the highest quality footage thanks to simple drones.

As stated in the film description, Sugar Mountain is “An Alaskan ski adventure epic about the quest to find the mythical Sugar Mountain. 8 friends leave behind their urban latte-lives to exist – alone and unassisted – for a month on this magical remote glacier.” Richard, world renowned skiers Chris Booth, Watkin McLennan, Tim Myers, and Miles Clark, and 3 other crew members all trained with the drone to contribute to a film that encapsulates what it is like to live not isolated in quarantine, but on a massive glacier.

Robin Thurston’s Outside has become the go-to place for outdoor athletes to have access to everything from gear to the lifestyle needs for appreciating the great outdoors. With drones, Outside has broadened its horizons by providing unparalleled content of activities like skiing, bouldering, kayaking, cycling, surfing, basically any outdoor sport imaginable. “At Outside,” states the company website, “we believe life is best spent outside experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives.” Outside’s drone footage has given people, whether confined to quarantine or not, an outlet to experience the outdoors in an up close and personal way

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