Hollywood took a trip to the country this weekend to attend the first 5D: The Future of Immersive Design, the latest conference on technology, design, and entertainment. Held at California State University in Long Beach, California, the two-day event offered panels and workshops ranging from ‘new television’ to world building.

Sponsored by Autodesk and presented by the University Art Museum (UAM) and the Art Directors Guild (ADG), a two-day pass was priced at $225 and entitled the bearer to choose from 14 classes running one to two hours each. An estimated 700 people came along to the opening day. Saturday evening boasted a networking party with an open bar, buffet, and DJ. Unlike many other conferences in the industry where old friends meet and new ones are made, 5D sports an air that is unmistakably Hollywood FX. Those considered the elite in the industry were found in tight groups in which to share confidentials and choose new alliances.

According to 5D producer Rick Markovitz, “The 5D conference was founded on the basis that we need to get a dialogue between the highly creative people and the highly technology based people that are driving the entertainment world today. We are navigating that middle zone where the two meet and driving the conversation between them, so we can get better experiences in the future, more entertainment and more people back in the theater, back online, back to television, wherever they need to go. We feel we’ve been very successful with the diversity representing both worlds here today."

A panel on previs provided a clear definition on the various terms evolved from the development, along with the pros and pitfalls of the process. Awareness of developing technologies was shown in panels discussing the future of screen based entertainment and interactivity of the consumer in areas as advertising based on the style of Minority Report, a technology currently being tested in some Wal-Marts. Another panel explored various real-world and virtual environments and what made them successful and unique. A DreamWorks workshop on developing the engaging CG characters in Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens was filled to standing room only.

The location for the conference was an easy commute from LA. There were lunchpacks given out for five dollars during the conference and the location was within blocks of several restaurants and the Long Beach marina.