Tron-Sector Top News

VIDEO - Original 1982 Featurette: Making of TRON

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:02:05 GMT

The original TRON celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year!

Here's a 1982 featurette about the making of the original film -- heralding the breakthrough CGI (computer generated imagery) that TRON brought to cinema -- featuring Writer/Director Steven Lisberger and Co-Visual Effects Supervisor Richard Taylor.

- Jay West

- Jay West

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LEGO Styled Rendering of Flynn's Arcade

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:55:04 GMT

Kevin Flynn would be proud... check out this creative, fan made LEGO styled rendering of Flynn's Arcade.

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

New TRON: UPRISING Animated TV Series Footage

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:47:12 GMT

Here's new and exciting footage from the upcoming TRON: UPRISING TV animated series -- currently set to debut on Disney's X D channel in April 2012 -- featuring TRON (Bruce Boxleitner), Beck (Elijah Wood), and Mara (Mandy Moore).

The highly stylized animation looks incredible -- making for a perfect setting to explore the fantasy/sci-fi world of TRON in. It's ironic and fitting that TRON is finally getting the animated treatment -- as the original 1982 TRON movie was first conceived and planned as an animated feature film.

This footage comes to us from a new Disney X D "Coming in 2012" reel -- which showcases upcoming series that will soon be making their debut on the channel, as well as new episodes for previous series:

New series:

- TRON: UPRISING
- Ultimate Spiderman
- Motorcity
- Lab Rats

New episodes of:

- Kickin' it
- Pair of Kings
- Kick Buttowski

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

FLYNN LIVES! Actor Jeff Bridges Turns 62 Today!

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:13:02 GMT

Happy Birthday to the enormously talented actor, photographer, and artist: Jeff Bridges --
aka uber-cool "User" Kevin Flynn -- who turns 62 today!

Jeff Bridges is also an incredible humanitarian. Click here to learn more about his "End Hunger Network" charity which is working to end childhood hunger in the United States -- and how you can help.

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

Daft Punk Grammy Nomination for TRON: LEGACY

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:10:50 GMT

Congratulations to Daft Punk for their Grammy Nomination for Best Score in recognition of
their incredible TRON: LEGACY soundtrack!

Read more about the great news HERE!

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

- Jay West

TRON: LEGACY Styled Concept Car Debuts in Tokyo

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:56:51 GMT

Japanese car manufacturers Toyota have now unveiled the "Fun-Vii" -- a futuristic interactive concept car that features a touchscreen door -- with TRON like design and aesthetics: resembling an automobile version of the TRON: LEGACY styled light cycle coupled with TRON blue circuitry when in certain modes. The Fun-Vii -- which stands for "vehicle interactive internet" -- made its debut Monday at the Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

- Jay West

TRON: LEGACY Styled Concept Car Debuts in Tokyo

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:55:59 GMT

Japanese car manufacturers Toyota unveiled the 'Fun-Vii' -- a futuristic interactive concept car that features a ?touchscreen door -- with TRON like design and aesthetics: resembling an automobile version of the TRON: LEGACY styled light cycle coupled with TRON blue circuitry when in certain modes. The Fun-Vii -- which stands for "vehicle interactive internet" -- debuted Monday at the Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

- Jay West

TRON: LEGACY Styled Concept Car Debuts in Tokyo

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:54:31 GMT

RINZLER UD Replicas TRON: LEGACY Life Size Suit

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:00:26 GMT

The new RINZLER life-size suit is now available -- following Sam Flynn's and Quorra's suits that UD Replica also created. The RINZLER suit has a "white circuitry" appearance option so as to revert to its heroic TRON origin if the "User" so chooses…

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

- Jay West

The Making of TRON Book by William Kallay

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:01:49 GMT

I was contacted recently by a fellow TRON fan named William Killay -- who has now self-published a book of interviews with the incredibly talented actors and filmmakers who collaborated in the making of the original 1982 TRON movie -- including: Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn/CLU), Bruce Boxleitner (TRON/Alan Bradley), Cindy Morgan (Yori/Lora Baines), Dan Shor (Ram/"Popcorn Guy"), Steven Lisberger (Writer/Director), Donald Kushner (Producer), Harrison Ellenshaw (Visual Effects Supervisor), Richard Winn Taylor II (Visual Effects Supervisor), Wendy Carlos (Music Composer), Bruce Logan (Cinematographer), John Scheele (Technical Effects Supervisor) -- and the publicist for the movie, Mike Bonifer, who also authored "The Art of TRON". The book looks at the goings on during the making of the movie, and the many challenges faced in bringing this ground-breaking film to life. It's now for sale on Amazon.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West

"Saints Row: The Third" Video-Game - TRON Style

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:01:58 GMT

In the new "Saints Row: The Third" video-game, you can ride on blue/purple circuitry styled light cycles -- and in a yellow circuited, CLU styled car -- both in the virtual and real world aspects of the gaming.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West

VIDEO: TRON 3 Fan Made Teaser Trailer

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:28:58 GMT

Here's a recent fan made TRON 3 teaser trailer that incorporates scenes from a variety of film sources. The theme focuses on the Dillinger's (Actors David Warner and Cillian Murphy) revenge against Kevin and Sam Flynn (Actors Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund).

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West

VIDEO: TRON - HALLOWEEN 2011 - Outer Circle Crew

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:19:29 GMT

Happy Halloween Programs!

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West

Garrett Hedlund -- In Lead To Star In AKIRA Remake

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:44:27 GMT

Garrett Hedlund aka Sam Flynn from TRON: LEGACY -- is now in the lead to star in the live action version of AKIRA -- the classic '88 anime film.

Click here to read the Variety article which made the announcement.

Given the prospective Hedlund/AKIRA casting, it's fittingly ironic that AKIRA and TRON: LEGACY each has a lead, hero character that sports a high speed, futuristic cycle...

Here's a trailer for the original AKIRA anime film.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

- Jay West

VIDEO: TRON DAY @ 2011 D23 EXPO

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:05:43 GMT

Click on the costumes above to view the video!

Here's video highlights I shot of "TRON Day" -- an event held at the 2011 D23 Expo on August 20, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California -- right by Disneyland. Actor Bruce Boxleitner (TRON/Alan Bradley) and actress Cindy Morgan (Yori/Lora Bradley) were on hand to greet fans and sign autographs -- and they were joined by actors Jackson Bostwick (TRON - Head Guard) and Rob Daly (TRON: LEGACY - Lead Sentry). Original costumes from the 1982 TRON movie were also on display for the characters: TRON, Yori, RAM (Dan Shor), and Flynn (Jeff Bridges).

I brought some of my original 1982 TRON kodaliths -- which Bruce and Cindy signed, and action figures which Jackson and Rob signed. The kodaliths are actual production used elements that were filmed for TRON -- each measuring approximately 12" by 20". They were created from the 70mm film frame blow ups of "The Grid" (in the computer world) section of the movie -- which was shot in black and white. Matting masks were made to allow colors to show through in select places -- which created the color illumination effect of the circuitry. In essence, these are like original production cels that were created and filmed for an animated film. The kodaliths you will see in the video are from the iconic I/O Tower sequence with TRON and Yori.

And per my request, both Jackson and Rob kindly signed my action figures with quotes from their characters: "Vacate entry port program... I said move!" and "Rectify... Rectify... Games...!".

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

New Rinzler Sideshow Collectibles Statue

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:52:29 GMT

Rinzler -- the two disc wielding, gravity defying acrobatic right hand man to the evil CLU -- will soon be making his way off the grid and into our world in a brand new Sideshow Collectibles statue.

Pre-orders for Rinzler begins on September 29th.

- Jay West

* 9/27: Updated with these newly released images!

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON Inspired Duct Tape Commercial

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:10:16 GMT

"Roll Out!" Here's a funny and inventive commercial portraying duct tape as '82 TRON styled light cycles -- and there's a "bonus round" reveal at the end...

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON: UPRISING Comic-Con 2011 Footage Reel

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:06:57 GMT

Beck: "What are you looking for?"

Tron: "The next Tron…".

– Elijah Wood as Beck and Bruce Boxleitner as Tron in the upcoming 2012 “Tron: Uprising“ Animated TV Series

In December 2010, the long awaited sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic "Tron" movie -- "Tron: Legacy", transported theater audiences into a digital fantasy realm via its ground breaking visual effects and imaginings.

In early 2012, the world of "Tron" is set to be explored again in a highly stylized animated television series on Disney X D entitled "Tron: Uprising" -- with episodic stories that occur between both of the "Tron" movies. The series is being helmed by executive producer/director Charlie Bean ("Robotboy," "Samurai Jack," and "Powerpuff Girls"); and consulting producers Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz (both screenwriters of "Tron: Legacy", executive producers of "Lost" and the upcoming "Once Upon A Time") and Justin Springer (co-producer of TRON: Legacy).

Never-before-seen footage from "Tron: Uprising" was recently shown at Comic-Con -- with an introduction by Disney Television Animation's Senior Vice President of Original Series -- Eric Coleman: "We've worked in conjunction with our friends at the (movie) studio in developing a TV series that takes place in the "Tron" universe -- to make use of the amazing visual aesthetic, but then customize the storytelling for our X D audience. What you'll see here is a little bit of the images and test footage from the show. Our series takes place before the events of the ("Tron: Legacy") movie -- so this is after Clu has risen to power on The Grid. He believes he has killed Tron -- but what we find out in the series is that Tron is actually not dead, he's just very badly injured. He's been hiding, and is training a new mentee -- he has a protégé that he is raising to become the next Tron. That character is our new hero Beck -- who is played by Elijah Wood ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, etc.).

The footage: a series of concept artwork imagery, character and vehicle roundtables, and an extended version of a previously released trailer, were all set to a remix of Daft Punk's "End of Line" track from "Tron: Legacy" -- and evoked a creative synergy of the stylings and sensibilities of both "Tron" movies -- while providing its own unique imagining and design of the "Tron" world.

- Jay West

Here is the "Tron: Uprising" Comic-Con reel.

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON Styled Church in Oklahoma

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:58:43 GMT

From Newsok:

Step inside Flynn's Arcade and take the wildest ride of your dreams on a “light cycle” careening along a glow-in-the-dark video game grid.

It's not the fantasy world of the movie “Tron: Legacy” but rather the lobby of LifeChurch.tv's northwest campus, 5821 Northwest Expressway.

Read The Entire Article Here:
http://www.newsok.com/article/3585510

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West

IncepTRON Trailer - TRON & INCEPTION Mash-Up!

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:21:31 GMT

Here's a great mash-up featuring footage from the original 1982 TRON movie, and audio from the trailer for the 2010 movie INCEPTION!

- Jay

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

The Original TRON Movie Turns 29 Today!

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:07:43 GMT

On this day in 1982 -- the original TRON movie made its theatrical debut… forever making an indelible imprint on sci-fi cinematic history with its incredible artistry, designs, and visual effects. Pop culture delved into the World of TRON then, and never left -- with TRON's glow permeating everything from movies to television, and music to fashion -- generation after generation. Recently in 2010, TRON's long awaited sequel -- TRON: LEGACY -- unleashed an incredible new visceral experience and passage into this realm for audiences to experience via its ground breaking visual effects and imaginings.

The World of TRON is constantly growing and evolving -- and the next big entertainment entry into this saga is appropriately entitled TRON: UPRISING -- which is a highly stylized animated feature film and television series that will debut on Disney X D's TV channel in Spring 2012 -- and will showcase stories that occur between the original TRON movie and the LEGACY sequel. A third TRON live-action movie is also currently being written that picks up where LEGACY left off… rest assured, this "Journey" (TRON buffs will get it) is just beginning...

So on this anniversary, "rez up" the original TRON movie in your video format of choice: whether it be a Blu-Ray or DVD… or go "old school style" with a Laserdisc, CED Disc, VHS or Beta videocassette -- then kick back and enjoy the movie that started it all!

See you on "The Grid",

- Jay West

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON Filmmakers on Blu-Rays & Future of Saga

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Sat, 14 May 2011 03:20:42 GMT

I recently attended an event celebrating the release of the original 1982 TRON movie and its 2010 sequel TRON: LEGACY on DVD and Blu-ray at a Best Buy location in West Hollywood, California -- part of my ongoing LA Times coverage of the TRON saga -- and chatted with TRON director Steven Lisberger, TRON: LEGACY director Joseph Kosinski, and visual effects supervisor Eric Barba (who took home an Oscar for his work on the David Fincher drama “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button“).

We discussed many things, including: the vibrancy of viewing the movies on Blu-Ray, the new, interactive "second screen" function which allows access to a vast archive of LEGACY's behind the scenes material, new enhancements and changes to TRON: LEGACY for its home video release, the unique challenges of bringing CLU "to life", their favorite scenes -- and deleted scenes and concepts from the LEGACY movie, TRON "easter-eggs", and the future of the TRON Saga!

Click on the above photos to read on -- and to view exclusive video footage I shot of the event!

- Jay
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON: LEGACY Pinball - Video & Pictures

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Wed, 11 May 2011 10:02:04 GMT

The first ever TRON pinball machine has now been released, and a limited edition style of it with a few additional features will follow in June. These pinballs, which are officially licensed by Disney, are being produced by Stern Pinball, Inc. (“SPI”) -- who designs and manufactures arcade-quality pinball games, and are located just outside Chicago, Illinois.

Here is a teaser trailer for the pinball:

From Stern to Distributors -

“Dear Ladies & Gentlemen,

Stern Pinball will begin production of its next model pinball machine, TRON: Legacy, at the beginning of May.

We have licensed this title from Disney, the maker of the $400 million grossing holiday season movie TRON: Legacy. 60% of the gross was outside the United States. This movie is an extension of the 1982 movie TRON and the famous video game of that time. Another TRON movie is being planned. We have had requests from gamers, and pinball players in particular, to make a TRON pinball machine. There is a pent up demand for this game, and many of you have heard this from your customers.

With TRON, we continue the design philosophy that you have told us has been successful, that of Iron Man, Avatar and The Rolling Stones. Our games are playing shorter and have more randomness. The great designer Harry Williams used to say, “The ball is wild.” Great players are challenged and causal players have fun. Operators are making money.

Our TRON pinball puts the players in the middle of TRON movie and video game action battles. This is a fast moving game. TRON has 3 flippers, including an upper flipper to shot one of the two fabulous fast action ramps. We have not utilized a 3rd flipper in a while, and players will enjoy it. In the center of the playfield, near the top, there is a motorized 3 bank target assembly the player must hit and lower, to gain access to the illuminated, motorized spinning disc, representing TRON’s Identity Disc. The spinning disc shoots the ball randomly across and around the playfield. Ramp shots take the player to an exciting Light Cycle multiball. The player shoots at the miniature TRON video game to start exciting features and collect big points.

TRON: Legacy is a visually exquisite 3D movie, and our pinball has captured the same exquisite visual, including its 3D backglass. Music is from movie and perfect for pinball.

This game is brought to you by the design team that gave you Iron Man and Avatar.
We have been playing TRON, and we are really having fun.

Because this is truly a collectors and enthusiasts dream title, we will make a TRON Limited Edition version in late June."

- Jay
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON: LEGACY R3CONFIGUR3D - Music Video Remixes

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Wed, 11 May 2011 04:20:11 GMT

Here's three official videos from Disney featuring music from the recently released TRON: LEGACY R3CONFIGUR3D Album -- one which features samplings from the 15 remixes of Daft Punk's TRON: LEGACY score on the album by some of today's most popular DJ's -- and the others are two music videos for the R3CONFIGUR3D tracks: "The Grid" by The Crystal Method and "Fall" by M83 -- each featuring montages of footage and photographs from the TRON: LEGACY movie.

- Jay

You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

TRON team reflects on the film's LEGACY

worldoutwest@aol.com (WorldOutWest) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:38:49 GMT

In the month prior to its debut on Blu-ray, the original 1982 “Tron” movie was explored at two landmark Los Angeles events. First was a sold-out 70mm showing at the Aero Theatre where its filmmakers discussed the challenges of the film’s production and the development of its pioneering visual effects and techniques. That was followed by the Directors Guild of America — where the same group of filmmakers regrouped and further expounded upon the film, there joined by the filmmakers of its visually stunning 2010 sequel: “Tron: Legacy” — which also just premiered on Blu-Ray — and who also discussed their unique challenges in the sequel’s production, and the cutting-edge techniques they utilized to realize the movie’s state-of-the-art visual effects.

Here now is your “front row seat” via my exclusive LA Times Hero Complex video footage of the filmmakers’ panel at the Aero Theatre event — approximately 25 minutes of highlights from the discussion — with topics including: the inspiration for the story of TRON; the limitations of the technology the filmmakers had to deal with — including the use of only one computer on the Disney lot; the reaction by one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men” to a screening of the film; the spiritual components of the movie; and how the movie predicted much of the technology that is used today.

The DGA event “From TRON to TRON: LEGACY – Game Changing Moments in the Art of VFX” occurred the week after the Aero screening and featured a first-time synergy of both directors and filmmakers involved with each film being present for an event. While no video or audio recording was allowed, you'll see an exclusive Hero Complex photo that commemorates that pivotal gathering.

Click on the above photos of the TRON filmmakers to read on and watch the video...!

- Jay
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!

Click here to read more of my ongoing LA Times coverage of the TRON saga.