User reviews

From his early years as an odd man out to his drug fueled years in the swinging seventies and eighties, all the way up to the pivotal marches, Covid-19 and social upheaval of the polarizing 2020s; this doc covers Scooter LaForge's undeniable impact. A contemporary of the likes of Kieth Haring and Gail Thacker. His influence is timelessly infused within the fabric of LGBT culture during the highly romanticized days of old New York. He painted everything: Canvases, Sculptures, and even people! His artwork appears on a remarkably unique clothing line, worn by the socialites and punk rockers alike, including Debbie Harry. This is a great doc. It's the story of an artistic icon you might not realize you need to know.

This movie about Scooter LaForge is super rad if you're into artsy stuff and activism. Scooter's, like, this cool New York dude who's totally grabbed the art world's attention with his wild creativity. The movie's okay, I guess. Scooter talks a lot and he's pretty interesting but there are too many people talking, and it's kinda overwhelming. I mean, it's cool to hear about his life, especially his struggles growing up, but sometimes it's like, too much. His art is influenced by, like, all over the U. S. and it's all about social issues, like AIDS, BLM and stuff, and he talks about it a lot. His art's like a time capsule, showing all these important events. Overall, it's a bit all over the place, but it's still kinda cool to learn about this edgy artist.

I had no idea what to expect when selecting this wonderful gem of a film. The trailer captured my interest so I thought, why not. Boy am I glad I took a flyer on this film. This an area of art world I know very little about. That's what really captured my interest. I found myself wanting to learn about this and I wanted to learn about Scooter and his art. I quickly realized this was a whole thing. I mean a culture of its own. A culture very foreign yet intriguing to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the humanity of this film. The reflecting on Scooters career and how so many can relate to similar career struggles. I appreciated how writer/director Ethan H. Minsker presented this documentary. Meaning, it didn't drag. I didn't find my mind wondering off. It moved along at a very nice pace. I believe myself to be a hard critic and there were no flat spots in this terrific documentary for me. I soundly give this gem of a film two thumbs up!!

A refreshingly stylized documentary on an incredible artist. Minsker injects his visual style and a "wall of sound" that drives the storytelling in a compelling and entertaining way. Many documentaries can rely too much on talking heads, but Minsker uses them in a balanced way along with interviews with LaForge and captures the artist as he rises in prominence in the New York art world.

It doesn't linger long on LaForge's early days growing up or time in San Francisco, but gives you enough to understand where he came from.

I was fortunate to see the documentary in an old opera house at the 7th annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival in Pennsylvania.

"Scooter La Forge, a Life of Art" is a visually stunning glimpse into the New York City downtown art scene and the fascinating life of the popular neo expressionistic artist. The main attraction is director/producer/writer Ethan Minsker's use of visual effects and compelling animation. Minsker employs his own creative use of electrifying images, such as Scooter's mother talking about her son through a cardboard TV set, to enhance our understanding of the artist's journey, from his humble beginnings as a bullied gay youth, to San Francisco's 90's club scene, to becoming the darling of the New York art world.

Intertwined are interviews with Patricia Field and Michael Musto. Scooter offers valuable advice to young artists, mostly by teaching them to be adaptable with their environment. Scooter paints his message of love on just about anything - using found objects such as clothing, sculpture and murals. The main thrust of this movie is love. This movie is a work of art itself.

Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art is a fantastic doc about a punk-rock artist that's immersive, engaging, and full of life. Taking a deep dive into Scooter's work is made possible by the stylistic way in which talented filmmaker Ethan Minsker has created his doc, and we are all lucky to have these 2 artists come together.

It's clear that Scooter LaForge has a passion for what he does, and lives his life by taking his fun & art seriously. The relentless energy he has to create art and his unique vision makes him the perfect subject for a documentary, and Ethan Minsker did justice to the legacy of this great artist.

"Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" is a fascinating and colorful dive into the world of contemporary artist Scooter LaForge. This documentary, directed with a lot of heart, takes viewers on a journey through the life and work of an artist whose creations are anything but ordinary.

Visually, the documentary is a treat. The cinematography captures the energy and colors of LaForge's art, making each piece pop on screen. The editing keeps things moving smoothly, blending interviews, studio scenes, and shots of his artwork in a way that keeps you engaged.

"Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" is a captivating and visually stunning documentary that celebrates the life and work of a unique artist. It's an inspiring watch for anyone, whether you're a fan of contemporary art or just curious about the life of an artist. This film is definitely worth your time.

Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art is an incredible documentary. I saw the trailer for this and knew I was going to have to watch this. I was not disappointed.

It was great listening him talk about his life and his art.

I loved hearing him talk about some of his different art pieces. His work is absolutely incredible. I hope to see an art show of his sometime.

There isn't a single part of this documentary that isn't enjoyable. I love the way they shot this, especially the stop motion they added in, it was very creative.

This documentary is very inspiring to any artist, but can also inspire anyone. Be sure to watch this one, you will not be disappointed.

I knew some about the artist before watching this doc, but knew more about the director (had seen other art docs by him). I came away with a new appreciation for the art Scooter does and for the way a director can match the energy of a subject. Both are vibrant, colorful and fun - in the same way that Scooter's art is playful (but with a point), the doc techniques were the perfect mirror to it. No interviews felt like throwaways, the bright animation used to illustrate talking points gave it added interest and I could see myself wanting to watch docs on a few of the side characters in this too.

"Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" is a captivating and inspiring documentary that showcases the artist's remarkable journey of perseverance and creativity. Despite facing a challenging upbringing and the unprecedented obstacle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Scooter LaForge's passion for art shines through in this film.

The documentary's music and visual effects are particularly noteworthy, perfectly capturing the essence of LaForge's artistic style and spirit. The film's narrative is engaging, and LaForge's story is both heartwarming and relatable.

The fashion collaborations featured in the film are absolutely amazing! Fashion lovers will be delighted to see the stunning pieces created in collaboration with the iconic designer, Patricia Fields. The way LaForge's art translates into fashion is truly breathtaking, and these collaborations are a testament to the artist's versatility and creativity.

What's truly impressive is how Scooter LaForge adapted and continued to create art despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak. His determination and resilience in the face of adversity are a testament to his dedication to his craft.

Overall, "Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" is a must-watch for art enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and anyone looking for a story of triumph over adversity. LaForge's talent, determination, and perseverance make this film a true masterpiece.

Recommendation: If you're a fan of art, music, fashion, or inspirational stories, this film is a must-see!

I genuinely enjoyed this film. Ethan Minsker has created a documentary for the ages. Artist Scooter LaForge is the fascinating subject of the film, a man who essentially created an entirely new style of artistic expression. The documentary is populated with the esoteric, exotic, fiercely creative denizens of the modern New York City art scene, adding an air of inclusion to the narrative. Mr. Minsker wore every production hat in this film - writer, director, cinematographer, and most importantly, editor. Carefully selected special effects add to more to an already compelling narrative, and perfectly complement the visual feast that LaForge embodies in every facet of his life. Editing a film is tough, but Mr. Minsker's skill made the entire film move cleanly and organically. Most docs I see these days have to do with the true crime genre, but this one is a welcome change that I very much appreciated. There is so much to recommend about this film, and it's one of the better docs I've seen. Spend your evening with Ethan and Scooter. Totally worth your time!

I watched this documentary knowing absolutely nothing of scooter LaForge and his art. The filmmaker and his subject have similar visual styles which intertwine to make for an interesting film. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion and introduces the viewers to the quirky, colorful style of the artist before introducing us to the artist himself. When we finally get to hear the personal story behind the works, we are brought into the inner workings of a mind, sometimes tortured, sometimes wistful and sometimes so absurd that the perspective shone on the various works. The only thing left to say is, "Of COURSE!" Of course a mind like this can produce things like that! Of course they're scary and fun at the same time and OF COURSE this is the filmmaker qualified to tell the story of this particular subject. Should you see it? If you like art and want to understand the creative process... OF COURSE!!

This one of the most brilliantly executed documentary about an artist work life and philosophy @scooter_laforge_a_life_of_art @scooterlaforge Scooter LaForge I'm not saying that because he is my mate but because its rawness and authenticities shine through.

The director and producer @ethanminsker Ethan Minsker is just as phenomenal in his direction lighting and his abilities to conceptualize an artist inner voice while putting his artistic style into it without taking away from the subject. BRILLIANT.

I SAW IT ON THE BIG SCREEN Now you can see at your leisure. Must experience and own it forever.

BRAVOS.

When I started watching "Scooter Laforge" I realized that this was a culture I knew very little about. But as I let go of my preconceived ideas about this world that was completely foreign to me, I started to engage with Ethan's vision for Scooter. It was very compelling. For me, coming out of a my upbeat, more traditional paintings that speak to my soul, I realized that Scooter's art speaks to the souls of people I haven't engaged with in the past. I got a glimpse into a world where life is perceived in a very different way than the way I see it.

The early days of Scooter's upbringing were very similar to my own. His mom being an artist, his father's more traditional job and how Scooter navigated that dynamic. But somehow there was a turn for him that I didn't experience in my own life. I found that thought-provoking. What causes our fellow humans to venture down a particular path? Where does this journey really come from?

My own daughter was savagely bullied in grammar school and her experience was much like Scooters'. She too took that anguish and used it to create music. And, interestingly enough, she too was an excellent student in school, especially science, like Scooter. It made me wonder if there's some sort of a through line with bullying and success? Or what type of personality can take desperation and parley that into art? Into success? Not just give up. Like Scooter's younger days living in his little room away from his parents house. How he would turn the gas on in an effort to commit suicide, but then be happy in the morning to still be alive, to have a chance at life. What compelled him to push forward?

When Ethan entered this documentary I was fascinated. To have the film maker now the talent was like breaking the fourth wall on stage. In this case, Life became Art...compelling. He shared his style of art with which I resonated. Then to watch him let go of his creation and allow Scooter to take it in another direction, creating something each individual alone would not have produced. To me, that was a glimpse of what God intended when He created us. Helping each other, loving each other, giving of ourselves to uplift one another.

I would be remiss to not mention how much I loved the cinema photography. The mix between the 'real' and the art that enhanced the camera moves took me on another journey altogether. I felt as though I was in a bubble moving through the city, the art studio, etc. But completely hidden from anyone's view....just an observer. I liked that. This is a world I am not a part of. But, the camera work allowed me to be the fly on the wall and learn about other ways to live, to experience life. That was fascinating.

Ethan Minsker, in his latest documentary film Scooter LaForge: A Life Of Art, takes up the implicit challenge posed by his own subject's work by constructing this film in such a way that it brings together all possible elements, ingredients, and additives to transform itself into an object of art in and of itself. The film does so, very cleverly and very entertainingly, by treating each scene, each shot, each segment itself, as a piece of art, whether by 'painting' directly on the image, animating an imaginary scenario to illustrate a point, playing with sound, or by simply depicting the creation of the artist's work in new and inventive ways.

In the same sort of style that the artist attacks his pieces by painting on oddball existing items, connecting seemingly unrelated found items, or deconstructing familiar items. It's quite a challenge to properly execute those techniques or evoke those approaches within the medium of filmmaking, but Minsker, along with his many deviously clever collaborators, manages to do just that. And he makes it look easy, while still making the film experience fun and always surprising.

If you're at all fascinated with the current art world and with those who still manage to live a life of art in this increasingly commodified world, this film is for you.

Scooter LaForge is an artist, raised in by artist parents in New Mexico, who survived the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, relocated to New York City where the artist's struggle to survive and thrive was further challenged by the Covid crisis. His openly gay sexuality was a target of bullying, and the compassion and empathy he has for others is beautifully displayed in this film by fellow artist Ethan Minsker.

Scooter has a unique voice, influenced by classical masters, ancient history, and modern day social issues. His paintings inspired by Pompeii were particularly moving, graphically sexual with sudden annihilation from Mount Vesuvius, Scooter draws parallels to his days in San Francisco with its sexual freedom and AIDS devastation. Scooter experiences life very passionately, and his performance fellow artists who wear his clothing and collaborate with him obviously have great reverence for his vision.

Many different filmmakers could have made a film about Scooter. But Ethan Minsker brings his own artistry to the endeavor. They are personal friends, and Minkser uses this knowledge to paint a very intimate portrait of Scooter. Minsker infuses his film with stop motion, visual graphics, and other artistry of his own making which I found extremely effective. Other viewers might find these added elements distracting, but to me it is what made the film such a fascinating portrait.

This is a movie that other artists are likely to find very inspirational. I watched the film twice.

I did not know anything about Scooter LaForge before viewing this documentary and now I want to learn even more! I had a great time watching this well paced documentary about Scooter. The way Ethan Minsker presented it was very unique and kept my attention to the screen. I was really invested in Scooters upbringing and how it led to him becoming a professional artist, that sort of passion can be quite infectious for people around Scooter and for the ones who take the time to view this documentary. I thought Ethan kept only the vital pieces with allowing no fluff like a lot of documentaries tend to do, this told a nice concise story about an artist wanting to make his mark on the world. I hope this film does just that for Scooter, its definitely the best way to get his name out there. I recommend this brisk documentary, you will not regret checking it out! I cannot wait to see more of Ethan's work, this has made me quite the fan.

Never have I seen an art documentary so immediately arresting and disarming than Ethan Minsker's new masterpiece "Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art".

The film begins with a few frames of what look like humble handheld footage shot in Manhattan's Lower East Side, with the filmmaker trekking forward into a teeming art gallery. But then the experience begins: hand drawn animations start sneaking their way in, worming their way around and through the art works, before growing and proliferating in colors.

It's hard to review this film without getting carried away with a discussion of its formal qualities. Yes, Minsker has packed every single millisecond of this film with something unexpectedly artistic: hand drawn animation, text, digital 2d animation, stop motion, claymation, cutouts, and I honestly don't even know what else; this thing is just teeming with artistic abundance.

As these formal qualities are exploding on the screen, we meet our subject: the artist Scooter LaForge who immediately treats us to an explanation of their surrealist philosophy. They profess to practice psychic automatism, in which they deliberately shirk logical deliberation in favor of pure flow state (as he rides his elevator to his expensive Tribeca art studio, he tells himself to "get dumb and stupid.") What makes all of this work is the equal parts dazzling and dizzying editing Minsker has performed on the film. Minsker gleefully acquaints us with Scooter's art, which is dirty, random, beautiful, aggressive, deep, and pulsing with some kind of socio-cultural consciousness. Minkser lets the art rip, and doesn't hold back on the visual overload that results. Maybe it's this marriage of Scooter LaForge's bold and brash revival of neo-expressionism with Minsker's equally creative editing style that gives us no choice but to believe that Scooter is the real deal. Or maybe it's seeing Beyoncé wear his work on the red carpet. Perhaps it's both.

The most interesting aspect of any artist who labels themselves as engaging in "psychic automatism" is that even if their psychic process is automatic, it's still psychic. Scooter's art may defy and even satirize a fine art reading, but it can't escape art history; none of us can. But more interestingly, Scooter can't escape his own history. Something made this beautiful, wild man, and there's a culture and society that raised him. Though Scooter's art feels abstract, it's actually constantly representational. He seems equal parts inspired by cartoons as he is Rembrandt and the erotic murals of Pompeii. His work is arguably a formal improvement on Basquiat, adding more play and identification to the semiological vomit that made neo-Expressionism so exciting.

Scooter tells us his reading material of choice in elementary school were the journals of Andy Warhol, and we aren't surprised. We are amazed though when his journey takes us from his cartoon-filled childhood to holding a bona-fide place in art history.

I read the film as a portrait of the forces that undergird Scooter's automatism. We're taken through the critical life experiences that nudged them one way or the other, towards one idea or another. The details of their life are important and exciting, but it's the whole picture that Minsker renders that's so powerful. Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art leaves us staggered and in a state of wanting to cry. Only we're too intrigued by its playfulness to do so.

Scooter doesn't profess to know what his place in art history will be, because he isn't an art historian. Well, luckily Ethan Minsker is, and the gift he has given us here is formidable. A must-see.

Ethan pinged me the other day to see if I would watch his new documentary about artist, Scooter LaForge.

"Sure, I'd be happy to!" As always.

It took several days to finish my current project and finally get around to viewing his latest film.

A few minutes into the film I remembered why Ethan's one of my favorite documentary filmmakers, realizing I should have put it on sooner.

A "creative" documenting another "creative", an artist making a film about another artist, doesn't have to be the best art documentary you've seen. But in Ethan's case for some reason, it always is. As I've lived in both places, Scooter's life in New York City and his connections to the southwest, resonated with me. His time in San Francisco are also quite interesting, as is his personal history at large.

With Scooter LaForge as his subject, you discover he's one of the greatest artists you've never heard of. Although many have. Especially other artists.

Huffington Post: "I BRAKE FOR SCOOTER LAFORGE." For good reason and I thank them for that.

Here's the esteem I hold Ethan in as a filmmaker. In 2022 I produced a WWI documentary/art film that won a lot of awards around the world.

I can't help now but watch Ethan's film and imagine how much better my film would be, had he also worked on it.

If you like Art, or are striving to be an Artist, one thing you always learn from Ethan's films is there's a lot going on out there you just don't know about.

So if you love Art, if you love Unique Characters, if you love stories told about them in creative and engaging ways? Definitely check out Ethan Minsker's.

"Scooter LaForge, a life of art"!

This is a compelling portrait of a very intriguing artist. Scooter LaForge has influences that range from Andre Breton and Jackson Pollack, to cartoon animation. The resulting mix of the sublime and fun makes for distinctive and quite wonderful work. Scooter is an LGBTQ artist whose work is probably not for the prudish, but is for the open-minded and adventurous. I know after watching this I consider myself a Scooter LaForge fan. The documentary mirrors its subject in being both interesting and alive. Cool touches like animation and stop motion bring the work to life in ways that are fun and reflect a little of Scooter's sensibility. Docs are usually good either because the subject or filmmaking are good. In this movie, both the subject and the filmmaking are fascinating. This is one doc I can thoroughly recommend!

This film is culturally relevant especially in these troubled times. It's a heartfelt portrait of a working / living artist who has faced extreme obstacles to pursue his art. The artwork is not just beautiful, but the documentary itself is stylized and wonderfully filled with important face-paced information and close personal stories of Mr. LaForge and his surrounding network of friends, family, and fellow collaborators. The director Ethan Minsker has made very interesting cinematic choices that lead us on a journey as I found myself not just loving the art but appreciating and respecting the artist. I am so gland I now know the work and life of Scooter LaForge. Don't wait. Give this one a watch.

Absolutely loved this brilliant film about artist Scooter LaForge, whose surrealism art is Dali meets Jackson Pollock. From his childhood growing up as an alienated gay kid when his parents moved him to Arizona, surviving high school to becoming a major artist in San Francisco and NYC. This is an inspiring story for every kid who feels they are different, and reminds all of us your uniqueness makes you special. This movie's portrayal of artists Scooter LaForge and Ethan Minsker provides an insider's look into their creative process which is fascinating. The use of graphics effects are very effective. Hopefully this movie will be one step towards preserving Scooter LaForge's legacy in the history of art, similar what Van Gogh's sister in law did to preserve his legacy.

In a whirlwind of 80 captivating minutes, "Scooter LaForge: A Life Of Art" wastes nary a breath. The subject matter alone is a symphony of intrigue, intertwined with the breathtaking canvas of his incredible artistry. Minsker, the maestro behind the lens, conducts this narrative with a precision that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, orchestrating a symphony of engaging interviewees that dance across the screen with finesse. Yet, what elevates this cinematic masterpiece to a realm of its own is the intimate portrayal of LaForge's symbiotic relationship with those within his inner sanctum. In this captivating ode to creativity, LaForge emerges as a beacon of insight, a harbinger of the profound connection between artist and art. Through Minsker's lens, we are not mere spectators but participants in a grand narrative that celebrates the indelible mark of one man and his ever-evolving opus.