Sign up for free semi-monthly modeling and acting information and receive Aaron's Getting Started Guide!


State:

We respect your privacy. Your email address is never sold or given out.

Visit the forum and join in on these discussions...

Media Information

Aaron Marcus Aaron Marcus
Want to interview Aaron Marcus? Contact him by:
  • E-mail - aaron@howtomodel.com
  • Phone -(410) 764-8270
  • Pager - (410) 797-5963 (especially good for reaching Aaron immediately)
Chicago Tribune
Interview By Cheryl Lavin
Short segment of article

Commercial Success — You don't need great looks or a perfect body to get into ads - ask Aaron Marcus

The auditorium is packed. Seventy people are here for Aaron Marcus' commercial modeling seminar. They're young, old, male, female, white bread, ethnic. "The No. 1 asset in this business is the ability to act," says Aaron Marcus, who has been a commercial model since 1984, full time since 1986. "You have to be able to portray emotions in a believable way." He has been a grunge guitarist and a construction worker, a mad scientist and a sleazy salesman. "I'm a chameleon," he says.
Baltimore Magazine
Interview by Jeremy Magruder
Short segment of article

"There are a lot of beautiful women and handsome men with sculpted bodies in commercial modeling - but you don't have to be one to make it in the industry." So says Aaron Marcus, a local commercial model, author of the book "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model", and frankly, a pretty ordinary-looking guy. "This book will teach you everything you need to know to get started, how to practice in front of a still camera, how to put together the right kinds of photos, how to make contacts with legitimate agents... it is a cookbook for commercial modeling."
“How to Become a Successful Commercial Model takes the reader throughout the commercial model process, from creation of the composite sheet to getting an agent to developing effective work habits. Marcus also provides a helpful glossary at the back, defining a variety of terms peculiar to this industry. Aaron Marcus clearly loves his chosen field, and it is evident on every page of this very meticulous work.
“I think "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model" is one of the best and most complete books on pursuing a career field that I have ever seen.”
“I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much help your book has been to me while I embarked on a new career, acting and modeling. I bought it a year ago and read it cover to cover. I have continuously used the information as my guide to developing and refining all aspects of my marketing efforts, from P/R to personal contacts with agencies. It has been very valuable and directly responsible for providing me with a professional presentation from the very start. I am happy to say that I have been working steadily in independent films and TV, as well as my first love, theatre. Thank you for putting out such a high quality product.”
“The models I hire over and over again are the ones who know how to give me a wide range of looks, expressions, project the appropriate feelings on demand, and know exactly what to do on the set. I have never seen a book that gives such insights, behind the scenes and practical information, and written in such an honest way, with integrity and passion. Give yourself your greatest chance for success. Read this book.”
“Anyone who reads Aaron Marcus' book "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model" and REALLY pays attention will succeed! I learned a great deal from the book, but the best advice is to "sell yourself". I sent out my composite cards then called back after 10 days and got a response from one who immediately set me up for 3 castings. Also, Aaron stressed the importance to have good thoughts when being photographed since the "eyes are the windows of the soul". I never thought about that but saw the difference when I had my comp card made. I read a chapter and then considered how I can go about accomplishing a goal. Aaron Marcus really knows what he is talking about, and his book is a great help for the serious model. Thanks, Aaron for all your help.”
“After using the information from your book I got cast in two print jobs: one for the U.S. Army, and one for Target Department Stores. Thanks so much for writing this great book.”
“One of the best ways to get signed with an agent is to create a great composite sheet. This book will give you that information, and everything else you need to know to succeed as a commercial model. The author is one of the most experienced and talented commercial models working today.

You Don't Have To Be Young, Tall, Beautiful and Anorexic to be a Successful Model

"I Can Teach Anyone How To Avoid Scams, Find Legitimate Agents/Photographers, Properly Get Started and Work As an Actor/Commercial Model"

Open any non-fashion magazine, and look at the models in the ads. Who do you see?

You will find that the majority of the models do not look like fashion models, but instead are beautiful and "real" looking people portraying moms, dads, patients, doctors, mechanics, infants, students, lawyers, bankers, and many other professions and roles in society.

Commercial models are seen on everything from packaging for hair coloring products to cell phone ads. Unlike the fashion which has very strict physical expectations, commercial modeling has no age, height, weight, or size restrictions; all types of people are needed. Also, commercial modeling work is available virtually everywhere, even in small cities. Throughout North America, commercial models earn between $25-$250 an hour.

My name is Aaron Marcus, and I can teach people the best way to:

  • get started in the acting/commercial modeling field
  • find great agents - even in small markets - and avoid scams
  • create the necessary photos that can get them work, and how to get photos taken for free
  • market themselves and even get modeling and acting jobs on their own

How can I do this? Well, I look like everybody's next door neighbor, and have been making my living as an actor and commercial model since 1986. As of today, I have been booked {number of bookings} times. Perhaps you have seen me as Dr. Barnes on "Law & Order: CI", on "The West Wing", "The Wire", or even as the rock grunge guitarist for Molson Beer.

Not only have I written what many consider the "Bible" for commercial modeling, "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model", I also publish the Tear Sheet acting/commercial modeling newsletter. On weekends, I offer my Acting/Commercial Modeling Boot Camp throughout North America.

Here on my site, you can see my acting video, my commercial modeling jobs, my full acting resume, and hear my voice over and narration jobs.

10 Sample Interview Questions

for Aaron Marcus Actor, Model, Lecturer and Author of "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model"

  • What is the biggest mistake people make that prevents them from becoming a successful model?
  • What questions can you ask an agent to see if the agent is legitimate or running a scam?
  • Can a model or actor find work on his or her own, without an agent?
  • Is it possible to get commercial modeling work in small markets?
  • If a person is not very tall, or is between the ages of 30 - 50 or older, can he or she still work as a model?
  • How can someone find an agent in their area?
  • How can people get photographs taken at a reasonable price?
  • Is it possible to have a full-time job or be a student and still work as a model?
  • Are there any age, height or weight restrictions for modeling?
  • How much do commercial models earn?

Printable Photos

Click on a photo to download a high resolution version suitable for print. Find more photos of Aaron on the Commercial Modeling Photos page under About Aaron Marcus.

Bio

Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor and commercial model since 1986. He has been cast in 1100 (to date) TV/network/cable programs, TV/radio commercials, narrations, corporate/feature films and print ads. You have seen Aaron in projects such as: Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Wire, Homicide, Life on the Street, The West Wing, The Prosecutors, Broadcast News, Cry Baby, Korea Gate, Stage Fright, General Lee and America's Most Wanted. He has been hired as a stand-in on projects such as: Silence of the Lambs, Guarding Tess, The Pelican Brief, Twelve Monkeys, Runaway Bride and Syriana. Aaron Marcus has appeared in print ads throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and has appeared in magazines such as Time, Newsweek, Reader's Digest, Parents, TV Guide, Sports Illustrated, Details, New York Times, Money, Maxim, Forbes, Mirabella, Wall Street Journal and People.

"How to Become a Successful Commercial Model"

Aaron Marcus has written what many consider the most important book for commercial modeling entitled, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model. He also writes and publishes The Tear Sheet newsletter, a quarterly acting/commercial modeling newsletter.

The Acting/Modeling Boot Camp

Aaron Marcus has offered his Boot Camp over 400 times throughout the US and Canada. Students will learn from a full-time actor the strategies to having real success in this industry. They will also understand the reality of working either part or full - time in this complicated business.

Newspaper and Magazine Interviews
Arkansas Times Newspaper Arkansas
Baltimore Magazine Magazine Baltimore
Baltimore Sun Newspaper Baltimore
Buffalo News Newspaper Buffalo
Chicago Tribune Newspaper Illinois
Corpus Christi Caller Times Newspaper Corpus Christi
Jewish Times Magazine Baltimore
Mount Olive Herald Newspaper Illinois
New Era Newspaper Pennsylvania
N.W. Arkansas Times Newspaper Fayetteville
Northwest Times Newspaper Maryland
Owings Mills Times Newspaper Maryland
Reel Carolina - Film & Video Magazine North Carolina
Richmold Times - Dispatch Newspaper Virginia
Standard-Freeholder Newspaper Ontario
Syracuse New Times Newspaper New York
Tampa Tribune Newspaper Tampa
The Montgomery Advocate Magazine Maryland
The Towerlight (Towson University) Magazine Maryland

Radio, Television, & Web Interviews
Westwood 1 Jim Bohannon Show Radio USA
ABC 33/40 Pam Huff TV Alabama
WZZK Don Dailey Radio Alabama
NBC Wendy Garner TV Alabama
WZZR Mason & Dixon Radio Alabama
WBRC Janice Rogers TV Alabama
WIAT Holly TV Alabama
KASH Fritz Pettyjohn Show Radio Anchorage
KMXS Mark and Selina Radio Anchorage
WBAL Elaine Stein TV Baltimore
WCBM Arts & Entertainment Radio Baltimore
WJZ Evening News TV Baltimore
WJFK Your Moneys Worth Radio Baltimore
WQSR Steve Rouse (Rouse & Co) Radio Batimore
WLIF Merrie Street Radio Baltimore
WJZ The Morning Show TV Baltimore
WLIF Steve Rouse Radio Baltimore
WMAR Baltimore2Night TV Baltimore
WHFS Ed Norris Show Radio Baltimore
WITH Captive Audiences Radio Baltimore
WHMP The Ted Baker Show Radio Boston
WGRF Larry Norton Radio Buffalo
StudioLighting.net LightSource Podcast Web
World Talk Radio Annie Arman Show Web California
WGN The Joe Show Radio Chicago
WERE The Mary Kay Show Radio Cleveland
KEYS Jim Lago Radio Corpus Christi
WMAL Chip Franklin Show Radio Washington D.C.
WXGV Rob Harleston (Consumer Show) Radio Florida
WJXX ABC Angela Spears TV Florida
Mix 96.5 Larry & shelby Radio Houston
WDBR Max McCartney Radio Illinois
KICT Jeff Shaw Radio Kansas
WHYN Fred King (Morning Show) Radio Massachusetts
KSMB Bobby Novassad Radio New Orleans
WTVF CBS Merryl Rose (Talk of the Town) TV Nashville
WKD Dave and the Duke Radio Nashville
WOR Joan Hamburg Radio New York
KSDO Money in the Morning - George Chamberlin Radio San Diego
KKNW Chat with Women Radio Seattle
Y94 Mike Fiss/Kathy Rowe Radio Syracuse
WSYR Bill Baker Show Radio Syracuse
CKNW Carolyn Haarer Radio Vancouver, BC
VTV Paul Mennier TV Vancouver, BC
CKNW Bill Good Radio Vancouver, BC