Scott Marshutz grew up in New York and became interested in nonfiction film during high school. He was influenced by the ground-breaking documentaries of the Maysles brothers, Bruce Brown and D.A. Pennebaker.

He worked as a news and sports photographer for an NBC station in Indiana before joining the Marine Corps in 1978. During the Iranian Hostage Crisis, he served aboard the USS Tarawa and later in the public affairs office of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. After being discharged, Marshutz studied journalism and film at Chapman University where he served as editor of the student newspaper and completed his internship at the National Journal in Washington, D.C.

Since then, he has written for a variety of newspapers and magazines. As print media contracted in the early 2000s, Marshutz picked up a camera and started making short films and music videos.

A scuba diver for 20 years, he has traveled the world gaining insight into how nations are dealing with endangered species, pollution and global warming.

Marshutz volunteers for several organizations, including Omega Events, which produces the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point, California; the Orange County Rescue Mission and Ocean Defenders Alliance.