#LoveMyRoomie Five Years Later: An Open Letter from Yhá Mourhia Wright

When I reflect on the five years it took to take #LoveMyRoomie from its original, digital sketch form to this final iteration - a short film tying a bow on a tremendous gift, I cannot truly get down to the bottom of how I feel. December 2nd, 2016, was the day we wrapped the first YouTube iteration of the series, and we would go on to remake the series into the episodic you can now watch on Amazon Prime today. In 2017, 2018, 2019…and 2021 (yes, 2021), the series continued to go back into principal photography, like a workshop. Fine-tuning, sanding away the rough edges, smoothing out the wrinkles, and mixing in new ingredients. Alchemy. 

Each time new cast and crew would join and lend their talents, gifts, and irreplaceable time for the sake of storytelling. For the sake of telling this story. In February 2021, a small crew in Brooklyn safely filmed a portion of this short while I directed remotely via Zoom. Martha (SALIMA) and Daytona (KYLE) participated in rehearsals and coaching with me via Zoom so that we could hunker down their portion of the story. Fast forward to April 2021, my 9-year-old (now ten years old) niece assumed the role of Director of Photography to film parts of the film in Georgia, and finally, two weeks later - my sister and I shot for three days in California. It was my sister’s first time as a Director of Photography, my first time co-assuming the role as well - but collectively. We did it. 

The distance, confusion, frustration, and discouragement we feel as a society can fester in our gut—seething, hot, fire in our souls. Yet, I hope this short film is a testament to you that distance cannot stop art from taking its form. Instead, we adapt. Instead, we become like water. Instead, we become malleable. Less rigid in our ideals and ideas. We move out of our own way. 

Finally, a special thank you to the post-production crew - Rui, Dom, Sky - thank you for the months that we did not anticipate working on this short. For the time we spent miles apart and sometimes face to face deliberating and collaborating on how to tell our best captivating story. 

Thank you to the cast members of #LoveMyRoomie for returning time and time again. Year after year after year…for your dedication to the craft, and your truth. For the long nights, early mornings, and longer days. 

To all, I present the series finale of #LoveMyRoomie…, and I hope that as we move forward into a new year, we will take the time to pause and ask ourselves, “What’s Behind Your Mask?” 

With All My Love, 

Yhá Mourhia Wright 

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#LoveMyRoomie Short Film “Recovered Pieces” 

Director: Yhá Mourhia Wright 

Directors of Photography: Jamil Gooding, Cece Wright, Ava-Leigh Wright 

Assistant Director/Production Manager: Javana Mundy

1st Assistant Camera: Stephen Cofield Jr. 

about #LOVEMYROOMIE

#LoveMyRoomie is a reboot of the digital sketch show, “#LoveMyRoomie Digital Sketches” (2016-2017).

The eight-episode reboot follows Giselle, U’Moriah, and Yasmine - three roommates on the cusp of self-discovery within the first 36 hours of being catapulted into the realities of adulthood. As the women find themselves under pressure to navigate the wild roller coaster of life, they grapple with attempts to maintain their evolution.

With “one month to get back on [their] feet,” unspoken struggles with sexual exploration, familial obligations, and mental health come to the surface, challenging the women’s bond.

WATCH MORE ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Behind The Mask: #LoveMyRoomie Interviews feature the cast of #LoveMyRoomie detailing their journey with the series, what's next for their role, and revealing more about who they are and how they identify beyond acting.