New Uber/Lyft Web Series RideShare Launches First Season

"You're a stranger, so who are you going to tell?" Anyone who has drunkenly over-shared with an Uber driver will relate to this new web series from Space Camp Productions. RideShare follows the stories of one driver and the eclectic passengers he picks up.

RideShare was created by real-life driver Jeff Irlbeck and real-life frequent passenger Katie Hunter. The creative team conceived the characters and stories for each episode, and then trusted a cast of Chicago actors to improvise the dialogue.

"We were extremely lucky to work with such an amazing group of actors. They showed up to set with hilarious and heartbreaking backstories and brought heart to each episode far beyond what we put on paper," said write, Ian Michael Smith.

To film the show, Irlbeck and Hunter rigged a car with two GoPro cameras and then picked up each actor for a 20-minute drive.

"I had no idea what to expect or even who I was picking up," said Irlbeck. "I'm just a guy who drives people around all day. Both on the show and in real life it's incredible to see how people will share so much with a stranger."

Katie Hunter (co-creator, writer, and passenger) then edited the 20-minute improvised conversations down to 3-5 minute episodes.

"It was difficult because Chicago improvisers are so great at long form comedy - you just want to keep every joke. But I think each episode in season one is distilled down to it's purest, most comedic and most poignant moments," said Hunter.

From funny to disturbing, the diverse passengers in each of RideShare's episodes are sharing a lot more than a ride home. If you plan on hailing an Uber or Lyft this summer, this series is a must-watch. The first three episodes of RideShare are available now, with the season one finale to debut at the end of July. A second season is currently in pre-production. The show stars Frederick Ford Beckley, Matthew Gall, Katie Hunter, Jeff Irlbeck, Abby Pierce, and Alec Robbins.

Season One of RideShare is available on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ridesharewebseries), Youtube (https://goo.gl/sS1gop) and on www.spacecampproductions.com.

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