Marcks received an MFA in directing from the Film Conservatory at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. His film “Lector” won a student Academy Award®, bringing him notice.

Relocating to Los Angeles, Marcks worked briefly as an assistant while outlining “11:14.” Having saved enough rent money for one month, he quit his job and wrote a draft in four weeks. Script in hand, he attached himself as director and secured representation. LionsGate offered to buy the script if he would detach as director but Marcks refused, believing the script would attract top talent. Soon thereafter Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank agreed to star and executive produce. One year to the day after he quit his job, principal photography of “11:14” began in Los Angeles. The film premiered a year later at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Marcks spent the next few years performing writing and rewriting services for such studios and networks as LionsGate, DreamWorks, Summit Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Television. His latest directorial effort, “Echelon Conspiracy,” an international thriller, was released in 2009.