As drivers from ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft become more common on the world’s highways, an otherwise inconsequential drive can occasionally become quite eventful for driver and passenger alike. As shown in the new series RIDE SESH, that journey can also be eye-opening for both sides.
Created by Kim Noonan and John Salcido, RIDE SESH is strongly rooted in unbelievable yet true incidents that all took place in the unpredictable world of ride sharing. “All our episodes are inspired by true ride sharing stories we’ve stumbled upon or experienced ourselves,” they say. Those episodes are viewable on the show’s YouTube channel and web page (additional links below).
The first episode stars Catherine Parker as Katie, a new driver who prepares for her first client by documenting the moment through that time-honored photographic tradition: the selfie. Episode 2 features David Tenenbaum as ex-rocker turned ride sharing driver Dave, who seeks to help a distraught customer (Susan, played by Dana Powell) deal with an unexpected tragedy.
RIDE SESH’s third episode, “Mustafa and Abe”, mixes humor with emotion as a young man (Abe, portrayed by Scott Beehner) finds his ride to a neighborhood flag football contest detoured when his driver (Mustafa, played by Maz Siam) is devastated after a bird flies into the path of his car’s windshield.
The passengers and drivers of RIDE SESH. Top row, L-R: Catherine Parker (as driver Katie in episode 1, “Katie”), and Dana Powell (Susan in episode 2, “Dave and Susan”). L-R, bottom row: Maz Siam (Mustafa in episode 3, “Mustafa and Abe”) and David Tenenbaum (driver Dave in episodes 2 and 4).
For the season finale of RIDE SESH, Dave returns in what may be the show’s wackiest story thus far: “Dave and Caro”. Presenting a situation that’s relatable to anyone who’s been forced to put up with an annoying passenger (or two), this episode sees Dave get stuck driving an obnoxious woman (Caro, played by Cyrina Fiallo) who complains of stomach pains.
Despite Dave’s attempts to get Caro to the nearest hospital, she insists on getting to her destination post-haste. On top of that, Dave learns he’s lost his band gig, and that he might be on the hook for a blown amplifier. Will Dave’s day get any better? Will Caro finally be convinced that she needs to see a doctor? Only by watching this episode will you find out.
While some of the moments dramatized in RIDE SESH’s first four episodes are loosely based on Noonan and Salcido’s past experiences with ride sharing – Noonan formerly drove for Uber, Salcido was one of many passengers – others came directly from the show’s viewers.
Gratified by the praise they’ve received from RIDE SESH’s fans, Noonan and Salcido are planning to produce a second season of the show. “The response to the series has been great, so we plan on doing season 2 of RIDE SESH as we grow our audience,” they report.
In 2019, Noonan and Salcido will also pitch to networks a TV version of RIDE SESH, which will co-star Efren Ramirez (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE). Johnny Derango (EVERYBODY’S DOING GREAT, SMALL TOWN CRIME) will co-produce with Noonan and Salcido.
As part of the pre-production for season 2 of RIDE SESH, Noonan and Salcido are presently accepting story ideas from real life consumers and employees of ride sharing services. “We’re getting great submissions now, and it’s just a matter of settling on the best stories,” the show’s creators add. Viewers can submit those ideas through the show’s website or by email (address also located below) and it’s possible that some of their stories could get adapted by Noonan and Salcido for future episodes.
New stories notwithstanding, Noonan and Salcido also note that some familiar faces will return for RIDE SESH’s next ride. “We will also be bringing back some of the characters from season 1, such as Katie and Dave. We’ll finally find out if Dave actually did blow the amp at the Kibitz Room.”
Having lost his job before becoming an Uber driver in 2015, Noonan understood that he wasn’t the only person who struggled with rebuilding the professional part of his life. “I drove for Uber after I got laid off, and sometimes the passengers I drove that day or night would be the only human beings I would have contact with after spending the entire day looking for a job,” he says.
L-R: Episode 2 of RIDE SESH, “Dave and Susan” co-stars Dana Powell as a distraught passenger whom Ride Sesh driver Dave (Dave Tenenbaum) tries to comfort.
The conversations that Noonan had with his passengers showed him how incredibly common their struggles were. “That (having contact with his passengers) was helpful because once you start engaging with individuals, hearing their stories, or what’s going on in their lives, you realize, we’re all fighting the same battles, despite the fact that we may come from different social and economic backgrounds.”
For Noonan, some rides were memorable for the bonds that grew between him and the passengers he drove. Those bonds, and the stories he heard while in the driver’s seat, would be influential to Noonan as he cultivated RIDE SESH’s concept. “On the other hand, sometimes you would really connect with someone in a unique way, and you didn’t want the ride to end,” he notes.
Though he’s solely a passenger nowadays, Noonan continues to reach out to the people who now take him for a ride. “I don’t drive anymore, but I usually try to make conversation with my driver, and I’m still fascinated by some of the stories I’ve come across.”
While Noonan has some interesting stories of the passengers he’s transported during his time as a Uber driver, the second episode of RIDE SESH (“Dave and Susan”) dramatizes a day when Noonan suddenly had to comfort a grieving passenger on her way home. “Episode 2, ‘Dave & Susan’, is based on a ride I had during that time,” Noonan remembers. “It was the strangest ride I ever had because this woman shared this personal tragedy with me, and I felt utterly helpless to console her.”
One of Salcido’s most unexpectedly poignant moments in ride sharing was adapted for RIDE SESH’s third episode. “I was headed to a local bar to watch a morning football game,” recalls Salcido. “When I left my house, I saw the driver out front, burying something in my yard. He was also crying. I asked what was wrong, and he explained that he’d just killed a bird while turning the corner.”
Abe (Scott Beehner) learns an unexpected lesson about the fleeting nature of life from his driver Mustafa (Maz Siam) in episode 3 of RIDE SESH, “Mustafa and Abe”.
Salcido’s ride to the bar would become much more than a transitory journey. It became a profound dialogue between him and his driver on human – and animal – mortality. “He (John’s driver) cried during the entire drive, and we had an existential discussion about life and death. Then (he) dropped me off at the bar. I did say, ‘I hope your day gets better.”
Even though RIDE SESH’s vignettes are inspired by true life, Noonan and Salcido describe how it took some creative thinking to make their stories connect to viewers. “As with ‘Mustafa and Abe’, there was no satisfying conclusion to a story of a guy being dropped off at a bar. However, with a simple tweak, two strangers playing football together was what the story needed to work emotionally.”
Noonan and Salcido also heightened the connections and conflicts of RIDE SESH’s characters. “…While they’re based on real people, we pretty much needed to raise the stakes to dramatize the relationship they have with a passenger or driver,” Noonan replies.
To tell a complete story in every episode, RIDE SESH’s creators engage in a comprehensive process that involves the use of traditional storytelling techniques. “In short, we try to figure the essence of the story, build the characters and more conflict around it, then we essentially have to bring a three act structure to it.”
While Maz Siam’s depiction of Mustafa in “Mustafa and Abe” was the closest comparison to the heartbroken man who brought Salcido to his bar date, Salcido strengthened the backstory of Siam’s character by researching the personal background of Siam himself. “I’d say the most ‘real’ of all the characters was Mustafa. My driver in reality was very much that guy,” adds Salcido. “However, I used elements of the actor (Siam)’s real life to fill out his character – like his family life for example.”
Noonan and Salcido would frequently use that form of character construction when writing RIDE SESH. “Often, these rides are so short, you can only get so much about the real life person,” they comment. That’s the challenge with this process – taking the kernels of truth and fleshing them out with our own details.”
With its cast made up of past collaborators and new partners, RIDE SESH started production after being in the preparatory stages for over two years. Fascinated by the creative possibilities of telling stories set inside a car, Noonan and Salcido were also eager to film a series that would be economical in the amount of production resources it required.
Episode 4 of RIDE SESH (“Dave and Caro”) sees Dave having to deal with an obnoxious passenger who’s in the grips of horrific stomach pain. However, she insists on getting to her destination, and not to the hospital! L-R: Tesiana Elie (as Tina), Cyrina Fiallo (as Caro), and David Tenenbaum (as Dave).
“…The main reasons I wanted to do this series was because all you needed was a car and a couple of actors. That meant the crew didn’t need to be large and you didn’t need to ask your friends for their house or to be extras on set – which is the worst,” Noonan says.
“After doing two films where we had a decent budget, I wanted to get back to basics and do something fast and inspired,” Salcido adds. “These four episodes (of RIDE SESH) were shot mostly in one day, so it was satisfying to keep turning out material and chasing story, especially when they were turning out so well. But it’s very uncomfortable to shoot in a Prius, especially in July.”
Noonan and Salcido explain that RIDE SESH appeals both to people who’ve gotten from one place to another through ride sharing, and to those who seek something more than just a convenient trip along the way. “I’d say (any) individual that uses Uber/Lyft for sure, from young adults to people now in their fifties, (would like to watch RIDE SESH)”, replies Noonan. “They’ll definitely relate to the awkward need that both passengers and drivers feel to engage and connect with one another.”
Even if you’ve never been on either side of an Uber or Lyft ride, you’re bound to be touched by the humanity of RIDE SESH’s stories and characters. “The ride share is simply the artifice of these stories,” says Salcido. “It’s the characters that are so relatable. And that’s actually the best compliment we’ve been receiving thus far – people are really enjoying the universality of these moments.”
While RIDE SESH shows the potential for ride sharing to result in unforgettable interactions between drivers and passengers, Noonan and Salcido want viewers of their series to experience how ride sharing can ultimately unite people that are otherwise separated by their differences. “I really hope they (the viewers) see a bit of themselves, but also (that they are) able to relate to the diversity of individuals that are much different from who they are,” says Noonan.
“Without making this political, we’re obviously in a troubling time in this country,” Salcido adds. “I do think it’s important that we emphasize connections between people – whether they be funny, or awkward or even a bit sad. These are all genuine bonds. We need to turn off the phones sometimes and just talk to a stranger. You may be surprised by what you learn.”
(NOTE: Regarding closed-captioning of RIDE SESH, Noonan and Salcido credit one of the show’s devoted viewers for making it available to the deaf and hard-of-hearing: “Thanks to one of our hearing-impaired fans of the series, the show is now closed-captioned on Youtube and on our Facebook page. However, we haven’t subtitled it yet.”)
To contribute your ride sharing story idea for possible dramatization in a future episode of RIDE SESH, contact Noonan and Salcido at:
Story ideas are also being accepted via the show’s web site:
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6oLWq2rU_Yk3EQ1ESJ-4-g
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rideseshseries/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/rideseshseries
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rideseshseries/
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