Love the One You’re With

After wrapping principal photography on his latest movie, Love the One You’re With, at the end of 2020, D.C. comedian Sampson McCormick sat down with his editor. Then he realized disaster had struck. “All of the files we had recorded had completely disappeared,” explains McCormick. “We had to film the entire movie all over again.” What some might obviously view as a fiasco, McCormick, who also starred in, wrote, and executive produced the film, saw as an opportunity. “It actually worked, I think, because we were only rehearsing on Zoom. So the first time that we did it, I think it served as a dress rehearsal,” he says. The result of the second shoot is a 60-minute comedy-slash-drama about a Black gay monogamous couple who are experiencing the six-year itch. For McCormick, who has previously written, acted in, and executive produced other projects, having creative control is essential. “You absolutely have to maintain that control of what you got going on,” McCormick advises. “If you are an artist or a business owner, and you value a certain degree of integrity, running your own business means you get to make sure things are done the right way. You’re able to do work that you feel good about.” Next up for the Los Angeles-based comedian are homecoming shows at the D.C. Comedy Loft on June 11 and 12. “As long as everything continues to improve, I will be there,” says McCormick. “I need to get to work on that show so I can come back and wow everybody.” The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Free with subscription.