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Tina Contogenis | A Talent Agency Goes Vertical: The Vertical Buzz S2E1
This week on The Vertical Buzz, Season 2 kicks off with the person who helped legitimize the vertical space in Los Angeles. Host Buzz Leer sits down with Tina Contogenis, founder of Eris Talent Agency, to break down why vertical is no longer a trend, how the money and views proved the model, and what actors need to understand if they want to compete in the fastest-growing lane of entertainment.
Tina shares the moment she realized actors were earning real money, how Eris built the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, and what has changed as the space matures from Wild West chaos into a structured marketplace. They also get into what casting is actually prioritizing right now, why vertical is becoming a smarter path than traditional TV for many performers, and what the next wave looks like as AI, deepfakes, and new laws start to collide with talent rights.
The episode includes rapid fire takes, must-watch apps, Eris's strict “no assholes” policy, and a day-in-the-life look at what a modern talent agency is juggling with the vertical boom.
In this episode, you will learn:
• Why Season 2 is about defining the space, not just discovering it
• What the first vertical wakeup moment looked like from an agent’s perspective
• How views and money proved vertical is an industry, not an experiment
• What changed from the early Wild West days to today’s more structured ecosystem
• What casting looks for right now, including pace, looks, and versatility
• Why vertical wins for working actors, and how to build a real vertical strategy
• Must-watch vertical apps and where the best opportunities are heading
• The “no assholes” policy and why set culture matters more than ever
• AI threats, deepfakes, and what new law is trying to do about it
• The future of vertical economics, rates, and how the space may evolve next
Chapters
00:00 Season Two Begins
00:47 Vertical Revolution
01:48 Industry Gets Real
02:57 Meet Tina Aris
04:57 First Vertical Wakeup
06:57 Views Money Proof
08:59 From Wild West
21:18 Casting Looks Talent
26:04 Sponsor Break
27:05 Why Vertical Wins
37:32 Rapid Fire Takes
38:34 Must Watch Vertical Apps
39:50 No Assholes Policy
40:59 AI Threats Ahead
42:36 Deepfakes And New Law
45:09 Future Of Vertical Economics
51:00 Tina Agent Origin Story
52:51 Aris Entertainment Expansion
56:03 Boundaries Intimacy Negotiations
01:01:51 Day In The Life Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)
AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.
Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.
Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Tina Contogenis
Tina Contogenis is the founder and president of Eris Talent Agency, an international talent agency representing actors and creators across film, television, streaming, and the rapidly expanding vertical drama marketplace. Under her leadership, Eris Talent developed the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, representing both actors and production companies in the space. She also leads Aris Entertainment, the agency’s development arm, and serves on the board of the Association of Talent Agents. Tina is a voting member of the Television Academy, and Eris Talent is bi-coastal with additional offices in Mexico City and an affiliate in London.
Instagram: @tinacontogenis
Host: Buzz Leer
Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.
Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio Production
Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan
Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano
Instagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer
Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank you
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.
Host, Buzz Leer
View all episodes
By verticalbuzzdistroThis week on The Vertical Buzz, Season 2 kicks off with the person who helped legitimize the vertical space in Los Angeles. Host Buzz Leer sits down with Tina Contogenis, founder of Eris Talent Agency, to break down why vertical is no longer a trend, how the money and views proved the model, and what actors need to understand if they want to compete in the fastest-growing lane of entertainment.
Tina shares the moment she realized actors were earning real money, how Eris built the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, and what has changed as the space matures from Wild West chaos into a structured marketplace. They also get into what casting is actually prioritizing right now, why vertical is becoming a smarter path than traditional TV for many performers, and what the next wave looks like as AI, deepfakes, and new laws start to collide with talent rights.
The episode includes rapid fire takes, must-watch apps, Eris's strict “no assholes” policy, and a day-in-the-life look at what a modern talent agency is juggling with the vertical boom.
In this episode, you will learn:
• Why Season 2 is about defining the space, not just discovering it
• What the first vertical wakeup moment looked like from an agent’s perspective
• How views and money proved vertical is an industry, not an experiment
• What changed from the early Wild West days to today’s more structured ecosystem
• What casting looks for right now, including pace, looks, and versatility
• Why vertical wins for working actors, and how to build a real vertical strategy
• Must-watch vertical apps and where the best opportunities are heading
• The “no assholes” policy and why set culture matters more than ever
• AI threats, deepfakes, and what new law is trying to do about it
• The future of vertical economics, rates, and how the space may evolve next
Chapters
00:00 Season Two Begins
00:47 Vertical Revolution
01:48 Industry Gets Real
02:57 Meet Tina Aris
04:57 First Vertical Wakeup
06:57 Views Money Proof
08:59 From Wild West
21:18 Casting Looks Talent
26:04 Sponsor Break
27:05 Why Vertical Wins
37:32 Rapid Fire Takes
38:34 Must Watch Vertical Apps
39:50 No Assholes Policy
40:59 AI Threats Ahead
42:36 Deepfakes And New Law
45:09 Future Of Vertical Economics
51:00 Tina Agent Origin Story
52:51 Aris Entertainment Expansion
56:03 Boundaries Intimacy Negotiations
01:01:51 Day In The Life Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)
AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.
Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.
Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Tina Contogenis
Tina Contogenis is the founder and president of Eris Talent Agency, an international talent agency representing actors and creators across film, television, streaming, and the rapidly expanding vertical drama marketplace. Under her leadership, Eris Talent developed the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, representing both actors and production companies in the space. She also leads Aris Entertainment, the agency’s development arm, and serves on the board of the Association of Talent Agents. Tina is a voting member of the Television Academy, and Eris Talent is bi-coastal with additional offices in Mexico City and an affiliate in London.
Instagram: @tinacontogenis
Host: Buzz Leer
Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.
Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio Production
Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan
Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano
Instagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer
Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank you
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.
Host, Buzz Leer