Kareem Rahma's SubwayTakes: From Viral Trailers to Emmy Nominations

Kareem Rahma, the co-creator and host of the Emmy-nominated series "SubwayTakes," has taken the internet by storm, achieving viral success even before the show officially premiered. During a recent Zoom interview with IndieWire, Rahma reflected on the astonishing moment when a trailer for the series garnered over a million views. He admitted, "Trailers don’t get a million views, because they’re trailers," expressing both surprise and a hint of nervousness about the early reception.

The concept for "SubwayTakes" was born out of necessity. Rahma's previous show, "Keep the Meter Running," involved paying taxi drivers to share their city insights, which became financially burdensome. With his new project, all he needed were cameras, microphones, and a subway fare card, allowing for a more cost-effective production.

What sets "SubwayTakes" apart from similar webseries is its commitment to short-form content from the outset. Rahma explained, "The short form unscripted vertical video asset is the episode. It’s not a lift. It’s not a clip. There’s no other episode. This is the episode." This approach means he could focus on crafting high-quality content without the distractions of longer edits or multiple platforms for distribution.

However, expanding the format posed significant challenges. The first long-form episodes, dubbed "SubwayTakes Uncut," kicked off with singer Halsey as the inaugural guest. Rahma recalled the chaos of filming, saying, "The production was a mess because we didn’t know what we were doing for long form." The unpredictability of shooting on the subway added to the complexity.

Initially, the show struggled to find its footing, with a costly production model that made it hard to sustain. Rahma considered shutting down the "Uncut" series after several episodes. A turning point came with comedian Bill Burr, whose episode unexpectedly attracted a million views. This success taught Rahma that audiences are drawn to the takes themselves, regardless of the celebrity status of the guests.

Rahma emphasizes that the majority of his guests are unknowns, stating that 95 percent of those featured on "SubwayTakes" are not widely recognized. He describes his role as akin to an editor-in-chief of a magazine, carefully curating a diverse lineup of guests. He prioritizes variety in terms of gender, religion, and industry representation, aiming to create a melting pot of perspectives.

While he doesn't identify as a journalist, Rahma adheres to certain ethical standards when booking guests. He is deliberate in avoiding individuals he deems harmful, saying, "I try to give the platform to people making the world a better place." This commitment to social consciousness is evident in the show’s collaborations with non-profits, raising over $30,000 for organizations like Teach for America.

Interestingly, many celebrities who appear on the show are fans of "SubwayTakes," arriving prepared with their own takes. Rahma has welcomed a range of high-profile guests, including Matt Damon and Jennifer Lopez. He noted that the conversations often navigate complex topics, balancing humor with depth.

As "SubwayTakes" continues to evolve, Rahma remains dedicated to maintaining the integrity and quality of his content, ensuring that it resonates with audiences while remaining true to its innovative roots.

Source: www.indiewire.com