I Agree With You
I Agree With You
Starring Ross Compton and Stevie Shale
Written by Ross Compton
Directed by Jake VanKersen
Produced by Ross Compton, Tyler Core, Scott Cupper, and Jake VanKersen
Runtime: 76 Minutes
Production Year: 2025
Language: English
Genre: Comedy, Relationship Comedy
After canceling plans with friends, Hector and Penny begin a game of role-play that threatens to undo their relationship.
A 30-something couple has a rare day off together at home. As the day goes on it’s clear that there are deep-seated problems within their relationship that neither of them possess the emotional intelligence to tackle head-on. Instead, they engage in their usual routine of jokes and games and it devolves into a role play that gradually consumes their entire existence. However, it is through this experience that they are finally able to genuinely communicate with each other and determine whether or not they should even be a couple at all.
For Immediate Release:
Teaser for I Agree With You
The first film from Fortified Films has arrived, and will soon be available to see!
For a taste of our film, enjoy the teaser trailer.
I Agree With You is honored to be included in the following 2025 film festivals:
Our Creative Team
Jake directed our first feature. Sebastian shot it. Scott & Tyler produced it. John coordinated our dream team. IFA helped coordinate funding.
Daniel edited it, while Jamie ran the ship, with Garrett running sound. Anna pulled our focus, and Joe kept continuity.
Stevie acted her guts out &
Ross wrote and acted in it!
The Producers
Ross Compton
// Writer + Producer
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Ross has been a Chicago-based writer, actor, and producer for over a decade, WHICH IS NUTS. Formally a member of the iO, CIC, and Under The Gun Theaters, he is currently an ensemble member at Theatre Above the Law in Rogers Park, which produced both of his full length plays: Amicable in the summer of 2019 and Henchpeople in the summer of 2021.
In addition to writing plays, he’s written several film sketches and short films. He has also appeared on stage in plays like Constellations with TATL and Upon This Shore with Idle Muse, and on camera in projects such as the viral independent horror film Rorschach and the upcoming independent sitcom Camp Lake. And, of course, a commercial for Buddig lunch meat.
He’d like to thank Bob Zemecksis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit for giving him his first taste of magical realism, Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead for solidifying for him the importance of music in film and that nothing needs to be just one genre, Miranda July’s The Future for showing him that relationship stories can be unconventional, and most recently the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All At Once for encapsulating all the facets he’s just written about.
Tyler Core
// Producer
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Actor, photographer, cinematographer, web design, and more! There is quite sim- ply nothing that Tyler Core can’t do. The heights of his creativity is only matched by his kindness and enthusiasm for supporting other artists. If you know an actor in Chicago there is a good chance that Tyler has done their headshot. For over a decade Tyler has been taking headshots. You can take a look at his work here: https://www.tylercoreshoots.com/
Scott Cupper
// Producer
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A veteran of Chicago storefront theater since 2004, he was a company mem- ber with Strange Tree Group. His time with them comprises his most proud accomplishments including The Dastardly Ficus, the dual role of Cristroff/ Capt. Mandy in The Mysterious Elephant, Semyon Semyonovich in Goodbye Cruel World, Shakespeare’s King Phycus and two successful runs of The Three Faces of Dr. Crippen as part of both Steppenwolf Garage Rep and the New York Fringe Fest. He credits his love of movies with E.T. being his first theater-going experience in its original run.
Jake VanKersen
// Director + Producer
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The day after he turned 16 Jake got into the movie business...as an usher at Cinema Carousel in Muskegon, MI. Getting this job was his first professional goal as he spent a solid year dreaming about it. He shot his first short film, “Refund” at the age of 18 with his friends on a camcorder and edited it with two VCRs. It screened at the inaugural Muskegon Film Festival.
Later, Jake went to film school at Columbia College Chicago and profession- ally, he has been a video producer for over a decade working on interviews, short documentaries, webinars, and more.
Like many kids that grew up in the 1980’s Jake’s love for cinema was ignited by the films of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
Latest Screening:
Broad St. Film Festival
March 7th-9th, 2025
Sugar Hill, GA
I Agree With You played
Friday, March 7th at 4pm
COME SEE IT!
COME SEE IT!
Our Story
Stemming from the realization that nobody would grant them permission to make a feature film, these filmmakers set about producing a film within their way. They aimed to make a film shot in one location, with two actors, and to do it over a one-week period. Through a combination of a Seed & Spark campaign and partnering with the Independent Film Alliance Chicago, they were able to raise $22,000 to realize the dream of independently producing a feature film.
Set Photos
There are stories about the beginning of relationships
and stories about the end of relationships
This is a story about the weird it takes
to make a relationship work.
Help Us Today!
We are wrapping up the post-production costs on our feature I Agree With You, and every little bit helps! Contribute today, and you can help to get I Agree With You in as many places as we can! We can offer a tax-free donation and our eternal gratitude.
