ESPY's 2012

The night before the awards, Tuesday, July 10, ESPN held court at the Belasco Theater, combining the celebration of its annual Body Issue with the ESPYs pre-party. DNA Events used 3-D mapping to project athletic images onto a four-story exterior wall. The dramatic visual was complemented by 10- by 12-foot living wall of succulents, which had the event's logo embedded and served as the backdrop for the patio bar.

As the event combined what had in past years been two separate affairs, there were more sponsors to incorporate into the visuals. In the area for GNC, the producers applied adhesive wallpaper, commissioned a custom rug marked with the brand's slogans, and installed two 10- by 10-foot backdrops for interviews using GNC supplement bottles.

In the Belasco's theater, DNA linked five separate screens together by having content transition from one screen to the next, creating what felt like one projection surface with moving video images. The stage was used for performances by R&B singer Miguel and rapper Big K.R.I.T.; former N.F.L. player Eddie George also provided music as the DJ.

Using every corner of the 40,000-square-foot venue, ESPN placed enlarged images of the Body issue covers on the walls in the upstairs ballroom, which served as a lounge for sponsors.

Following the award ceremony at the Nokia Theatre, ESPN held its after-party at JW Marriott L.A. Live. To give the hotel's ballroom a different look, Precision Event Group installed custom chandeliers and used lighting and a variety of flooring to break up the patterned carpet.

Building on the campaign for this year's ESPY Awards that highlighted the 20 "most memorable moments," the producers used video and still imagery as part of the event's decor.

Other elements used by the production and design team to give the ballroom a new look included modern furnishings in gold, white, black, and red. An outdoor space was turned into a beer garden.

One of the central scenic elements was a trilevel bar structure, which was marked with the logos for the awards and post-party sponsor, Miller 64.

A stage was used for the performance by Lauryn Hill. Other musical entertainment was provided by DJ Biz Markie.