Steven Lisberger

Steven Lisberger's career has been dominated by "TRON." Produced by Disney in 1982, it was the first feature to make extensive use of computer-generated imagery and proved a keystone in the digital revolution that transformed Hollywood movie-making. Yet this high-concept fantasy about a programmer who becomes trapped inside a game he is developing began with Lisberger's fascination with backlit animation and video games. Indeed, it was a huge leap for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts graduate. He had cut his teeth with the 1973 short "Cosmic Cartoon" (which was nominated for a Student Oscar), before launching Lisberger Studios to create animation for commercials and documentaries, as well as the ABC children's series "Make a Wish" and PBS shows like "Nova," "An Evening at the Pops" and "Rebop." In 1980, however, he made his feature debut with the musical special "Animalympics," which gave him the confidence to approach Disney with "TRON." Boasting designs by Syd Mead and Jean "Moebius" Giraud, the film was disqualified from the effects categories at the Academy Awards because the use of computers was deemed "cheating." Yet, despite its pioneering technology, the picture disappointed at the box office and Lisberger has directed only two movies since: the 1987 John Cusack romcom "Hot Pursuit" and the 1989 futuristic bounty hunter adventure, "Slipstream." However, Lisberger returned to features in 2010, as a producer on "TRON: Legacy," in which he also had a cameo as Shaddix.