Interview with TRON’s Dan Shor

Dan Shor is known best for his role of Ram in 1982’s “Tron”.  He reprises his user role of Roy Kleinberg  in “TRON: The Next Day”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Dan about his role in the film and also what he has been up to since.

Mike Gencarelli: What did you originally think about “TRON” when you signed on to play Ram?
Dan Shor: When I first signed on to play RAM I was thrilled. It was a comic book fans fantasy come true. I finally had the opportunity to put on a Halloween super hero costume and live out that pretend reality.

MG: Tell us about what you recall about the costume?
DS: The costume itself was like wearing skin tight pajamas to work everyday. I can remember walking down Mickey Mouse street across from Donald Duck lane on the Disney lot, in my skintight body suit thinking ‘nothing could be better than this’….

MG: Any fun stories from the set and/or working with Jeff Bridges?
DS: Jeff Bridges is exactly as you would think him to be. He was funny, friendly, intensely obsessed with video game play, and like all of us on the set, completely committed to the act of creativity. The acting process often creates quick and intense relationships that parallel the relationships that exist within the film. Though I haven’t seen Jeff in 15 years? We have spoken on the phone and our relationship is exactly as it was while we were making the film. As a side note: when Bruce and I worked on Legacy last year, it was as if not one day had passed, and (except for the expanded waistlines) we saw each other exactly as the best friends we were in the film.

MG: How did you get involved to play Roy Kleinberg in the “TRON: The Next Day”?
DS: I got to do Roy Kleinberg in Tron The Next Day when the creators of the Blue Ray edition (42 Entertainment) contacted my ShodaVision website. Though I still have an actors agent, and never officially left the business, I had been living outside of the country for many years and perception was that I had disappeared through some sort of time space wormhole.Having been one of the original members of the TRON world, and being quite aware of the reality that programs can easily be recreated after being de-rezzed, I was pretty pissed off that the creators of Legacy seemed to have no interest in my existence. That made me even happier when the 42 Entertainment people took the time and effort to find me. They, with the people charged to create a possible Tron 3, decided to follow the original fan’s desires and bring RAM back into the fold.

MG: Any word about if they are going to be going forward with another “TRON” film?
DS: I still don’t know if Tron 3 is going forward. And I do not even know that I will be involved if they do. Of course I would like it if it were so….but I am, sadly, all to knowledgeable about how Hollywood works, and am fully aware that I simply may or may not be involved based on any number of criteria.

MG: Tell us about working on “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” as Billy the Kid?
DS: Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure is going ahead with another sequel and , once again, without me. I only have fond memories of the experience of making the film and wish all involved all best luck and love…..wish William the Man were involved, but whatthefuck?

MG: What are you currently working on?
DS: I am currently working with my production company; ShodaVision, producing and directing internet corporate web streams for North Eastern Electricity Company’s energy savings programs. ShodaVision has created short and long form documentaries, music videos, both narrative and reality television series, and television commercials for International markets.