Interview of Cover Model/Actor Jason Aaron Baca!

Today it’s my pleasure to present an interview of multi-talented Jason Aaron Baca. His career encompasses many avenues: romance book cover model, ,magazine cover model, author, and actor! His resume lists a variety of items to include television, movie roles, and magazines.

Where to find information about Jason Aaron Baca:
http://www.hmmodels.com/model.asp?modelID=395 (management)
http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com (photo gallery)
http://www.amazon.com/Overexposed-Model-Journey-Male-II/dp/1425748287/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296683253&sr=8-8 (model book)

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Q: Baseball. At one point you thought about making that your career. How did you end up as a model and actor?
A: That is a excellent question. There was a time after baseball ended for me that I didn’t know what to do with my life. I was living at home and worked at a hotel as a bellboy. I was on the verge of a mental breakdown since I was positive that this was as good as it gets. Then one night at home I got to thinking that I could be a model. Relief came over me in an awesome way that day.

Q: With all the different career directions you could have taken, is there one job you’ve thought about trying but haven’t attempted?
A: Well actually I haven’t really moved on to the next career thought in my life. You see, when I set out to do something, I stay focused on it. When I wake in the morning, I’m thinking of what more I can do to improve what I have and do now. I cherish these moments right now and enjoy this current career path so much that I haven’t had time to think about other choices or what could have been.

Q: You’re an author! Tell us about your books, “Journey of a Male Model” and “Overexposed".
A: The first book was intended to be a groundbreaking book. I hoped to shock the modeling world by being the first model book to come out in a Barnes & Noble bookstore. It ended up being more of a biography once I was deeply involved in writing it.

But when the 2nd book came out (“Overexposed”)...that book I enjoyed writing. Sure there were some flaws in this book that I’m concerned about but I believe the message is very simple. This book is for a model that is just getting started in the business and is trying to make it big. This book teaches and inspires models to keep at it in the business and to not get frustrated when they aren’t getting booked.

If you can look past as few typos in the book and concentrate on my message, this book can save you a lot of time in getting far in your career in modeling.

Q: Are you writing another book?
A: I wrote a 3rd book called “Nicotine Rage”. It's about quitting chewing tobacco...which I gave up a few years ago. That was a habit I got into from playing baseball that I’ll never touch again.

Q: All the modeling work you’ve done includes the following magazines: YMLA Magazine, Industry, Men’s Workout, Men’s Fitness, Hong Kong Silk, Hoe Boxer International., For Women UK, InStyle Magazine, Playgirl, Passion. How would you describe the competition for these jobs?
A: The competition is very tough but that is why you have to stay at the top of your game at all times in this business if you want to be successful. Don’t ever feel sorry for yourself. If I’m working out hard, then my competition maybe working out even harder and dieting better then me. I can’t allow myself to let down my guard for a moment.

Each and every day I always give 100%. I’m not satisfied in myself unless I am absolutely drained before bedtime. Before falling asleep, I go over in my mind all the ideas and envision myself on the cover of the next big book. I picture myself in shape; my face is youthful , healthy, and I’m tan. If you have all things working for you and nothing is lacking (face, body, hair, teeth, tan,& attitude), then you have no one to fear. You should already prepare to win at the go-see or casting call.

Q: Tell us about posing for Playgirl. How different is it from posing for romance covers?
A: Playgirl was different because of certain reasons. It takes a lot longer to shoot for them. They also take a lot more photos of you in various poses, outfits, & colors. It can be very draining but you've got to stay fresh-looking at all times. Playgirl really does a lot of makeup and hairstyling whereas for romance covers, they just tell you to go look in the mirror and comb your hair. Regardless of what they do, I always go looking my best.

Q: Tell us what a “shoot” is like for a romance cover model.
A: It's really no different then any other shoot I do, but I mentally prepare myself because it's usually for a book cover where the character is this cool macho person. I have to get into this frame of mind well in advance before the shoot. During this time I get very cold to the outside world because it's all about me and my body. I concentrate on making my muscles more defined and staying fit.

The shoot takes usually 1-2 hours of me posing with a sword or standing there imagining that I’m the leader of the world. For romance books, I try to imagine that everyone will love the way I look and no one will think otherwise.

Q: As a cover model, do you have any say into the process? Can you ask for a pose to be changed or not used? Have you ever done this, and, if so, what happened?
A: Actually,  I’ve tried this method recently and it worked. Some of the art directors or photographers don’t know how to pose a model. Since I’ve been to a million and one shoots, I know what to do or what poses make me look good. Often times they end up liking my approach better then what they’d intended to do coming into the shoot.

Q: You started as an actor as a double for Freddie Prinze Jr. in the movie, “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. How did that lead to your becoming a model?
A: I was on location in Bodega Bay, CA and the photographer that does the stills/DVD cover for the movie approached me and asked if he could take some shots of me. I was young and felt very honored to be posing for him out there. I didn’t realize that this was a really huge deal. I sent the photos from there to a Graphics company to be duplicated. The guy at their lab saw those photos, contacted me, and wanted to use me for a shoot. One thing led to another.

Q: What kind of workout do you do each day to stay in shape?
A: Great question and I’m glad you asked! Well everyday before I enter the gym I go over in my mind what I’ll be doing when I workout for that day. When I’m in the gym I try to put as much effort into working one muscle as I do the other.

If I hear a good song (currently its Land Of Confusion by Genesis) I workout non-stop for the entire song. This really gives me a boost in the gym and raises my pulse so that I can have a sufficient workout. I also do my stomach crunches every day now. I’m up to 450 per day at the moment.

When I walk into the gym , I don’t just walk in, I go in like I mean it. I’m in a zone. I know that some of the people that at the gym are just working out to stay healthy whereas I’m lifting and running for modeling assignments. A lot of people go to the gym to socialize, look, or fool around. No, that’s not me. When people come up to me at the gym I keep the conversation brief, and if they keep standing there asking me questions I tell them, “Look, I’m really kind of busy right now, do you mind?" That usually gets them to take off.

Q: Do you tan?
A: Yes, Usually I follow up my workout session with a 15 minute tan at the local salon. I make sure to use plenty of moisturizer before because I want to prevent any signs of aging from the harmful booth bulbs. I like to tan before a shoot also but I have found that tanning can make my face a bit puffy. I use an ice pack for 15 minutes to combat the puffiness.

Q: I read that your goal is to do 100 romance covers. Do you have favorite cover that you’ve done?
A: My favorite cover so far is still "The Legend of Michael" by Lisa Renee Jones though I’m in better shape now then I was in that particular shot. If she does a sequel, I’ll be ready.

Q: Favorite food?
A: Grilled free range chicken with herbed French Fries. I also enjoy the occasional arugula caesar salad with pine nuts.

Q: Favorite drink?
A: Crystal Geyser, or any natural spring water. I don’t drink sodas and only have an occasional drink. I believe in taking care of myself and don’t believe in putting impurities in my body.

Q: What upcoming jobs are ahead for you?
A: Big things are always coming and I don’t like dull moments. But instead of me shamelessly promoting what’s coming, I’ll let people be surprised.

Q: What would you consider to be the most romantic place in the world…just so we might get some travel ideas?
A: I Loved Sandals in the Bahamas and their private island. It is quite tranquil and relaxing. I also enjoy Maui along the Kaanapali shores. It's very inviting. What I enjoy so much about the sea is it helps flush my mind of any negative thoughts.

Q: On the day of the shoot what do you do to prepare?
A: I have a regiment that I live by. Here are my secrets at staying healthy and at the top of my game at all times. I believe in taking care of myself everyday, but on a day that I have a shoot, here’s what I do.

I wake in the morning and immediately drink one 16 oz crystal geyser spring water. In the shower, I use Oil of Olay’s Deep Pore Scrub followed by Garnier’s Oil-free Microbead cream scrub. This washes away any dullness and  leaves my skin smooth & pure-looking.

I tend to get dry skin from time to time from the tanning booth. So,  for my face, I use Aveeno’s Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating cleanser. What I like about it is that it’s very mild on my face yet it still exfoliates which is the key to healthy looking skin on the day of the shoot. Then I use an extra gentle cleansing foam (currently I’m using one put out by St.Ives).

This usually gets me in the right frame of mind since I know that I’m cleaned and polished for the big shoot. The rest is simple. I get changed then apply Neutrogena “Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion", then an anti-aging eye balm, and finally, a facial moisturizer.

For my body, I use Dove’s "Pro-Age Moisturizing Lotion" as well as Origins "Moisture Recovery Cream". This leaves my skin feeling moisturized instead of hot and dry. I am now prepared for the shoot.