AIEL Instructional
Tech Tips
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CUE TIPS
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There are More to Organising Cues and |
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Working out a cue sheet might appear simple and straight
forward, but there are methods that make it simpler and
more easily understood. This section of the AIEL website
will help to develop a workable technique that will foster
better understanding and intuitiveness of cues for a given
production or act. Use these techniques as a foundation upon
which to build your own style of cue making and implementation.
THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
- Use "Look" numbers instead of Cue Numbers when lighting console memory is limited. This is not a bad guideline to follow anyway, especially if looks have multiple repeats; meaning, when there are more than one cue with the exact same channel numbers and levels.
The idea here is to consider the number of looks used in a show or act. Commit each to a memory position and/or board fader. Now, as each cue progresses, every time `Look 1' comes up, instead of assigning it to an additional memory position, simply refer to Position `1' on the cue sheet or script.
This likely seems odd and awkward to those persons that are used to assigning the same look over and over to a memory (cue) position on a lighting console regardless of how many times it is used. Such persons prefer to assign repeated looks to separate cue positions so that they have a linear board setup and so that Looks and Cue Numbers match.
There is nothing wrong with this, but I prefer to be efficient and only commit each unique look to memory once. So if Look #24 is used for Cue Numbers 24, 29 and 45, Cue Numbers 29 and 45 will both reference Board Memory #24. This technique really works well when duplicate cues are added after other cues have been committed to their memory positions. It saves having to shuffle the other cue positions around or having to assign them `A', `B', `C', etc. suffixes
I must also reveal that efficiency is not my only reason for choosing this method; I do it mainly because I think in looks. As a stage lighting designer, I envision each scene and light that vision. For me, the cues are just points where I must trnsition to one of those looks. As such, my board is set up in looks.
Realise that this is not the norm. I have encountered few that use this technique, but I am discussing it up here in case some may consider adopting the technique for some, or all, of their shows or acts.
- Record dimmer channel numbers and levels on a paper cue sheet for reference during rehearsals and the show. This also serves as a non-electronic backup. In addition, the paper copy is handy for noting changes during rehearsals. At the end of the day, a new sheet can be printed out with the changes made.
- In keeping with the above, for theatre, have a cue sheet separate from the script. Things will always change before opening night and even afterward. Marking all those changes into a script makes for messy, hard-to-follow notes. Do mark the Cue and Look Numbers in the script, adding letter suffixes if cues are inserted. Should cues be removed, don't shuffle all the succeeding Cue Numbers down by one. This makes for confusion. Simply note which Cue Numbers are "dead". Be sure to okay this method with the director if it is important that lighting Cue Numbers match everyone else's.
- Print cue sheets on unlined paper. This is so the user can have each cue notes take as many rows as needed. When a cue is finished being written, draw a line across the page to make for easy-to-see cue boundaries. Leave some lines for spacing and to allow for additional notes, should they become needed.
- If there is a major break in the show, such as for an intermission, show the break on a separate page, and then start the next segment's cues on a new page. This allows easy insertion of cues both before and after an intermission.
- Consider adding stick-on tabs for fast location of certain portions of the show. There are a number available in different styles and colours. Tabbing becomes more desirable for productions with very large scripts and/or high numbers of segments. I also find tabs handy to designate in the script those long segments where there are no lighting changes. A tab allows me to skip quickly ahead to see what the next cue will be. Remember: A lighting board operator is always mentally at the next cue.
- For long-running shows, consider three-hole punched paper for cue sheets and a binder to store it all. This allows for insertion of revised script pages or cue notes. Have script pages on the right-hand side of the binder only. (That is, printed on one side only.) The left-hand page will be used for notes -- your notes. You are the lighting director. It is your script.
Some binders have pockets for accessories such as a ruler and pens, or even for holding a small script. Insertable pages of differing styles and for different purposes are available from stationery outlets. Employ these to make parts of the script unique as required. How you arrange your script is highly personal -- just be sure to have it completely organised and entireably understandable.
- Don't use short forms or abbreviations. Long-hand is better if someone else must interpret your notes.
- If the script sheets are to only exist in a hand-written form, print cue points and notes in a legible manner. Be concise so that in the future you will not have to decipher what it was you meant all that time before. Well written cue sheets are especially a must if your show is to be run by others. Their understanding of your notes must be flawless,
Production:
Cue Memory Reference Cue Notes
# # Point Transition
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The Cue Number column is for the script's cue points. These are places where a change of lighting will be noted as required. It will usually (and should) match every one else's cue number: director, music director, choreographer, actors, stage crew, props crew, audio, etc. Having Cue Numbers that match means everyone involved with a production is synchronised; that is, at the same place in the script, at the same time. So when any person is speaking of a given action or dialogue and has provided its Cue Number, everyone knows which point is being referenced.
This column may also be used to reference pre-performance or
pre-intermission introductions, advertisements or credits, instructions
to the audience, and so on. Intermission and post-performance cues
might appear here also. Most times, these will not have Cue Numbers of
the usual type. The might be shown as minus numbers, letters, "Cue Zero"
numbers (0-1, 0-2...), or have no actual numbers or letters at all.
Post-performance numbers might have a plus (+) sigN in front of them
(+1, +2...)
The Memory Number is the position on the lighting board where the look for that cue is stored. If there is no memory or matrix scene capability, the channel numbers and levels would be listed here. In the latter's case, before each cue, each channel number and level would have to be set manually.
If Cue and Memory Numbers match,
this column can be eliminated.
The Reference Point is an indicator in the script just before
where the cue is to occur. It might be a snippet of dialogue, a stage
direction, an entrance/exit point of an actor, or a voice-over or music
start/change/stop. Anything that informs you that a cue is imminent, can
be placed in this column.
The Cue Transition tells the lighting board operator how the cue is to be implemented. Is it a blackout, then the next look? Is it a crossfade? if so, how long is that fade to take? Is it an addition look? That is, one to be added to the current one? It might be a subtraction look - one to be removed from the current look.
Even if the cues are automated, one can use notes in this column to
assure the operator that the cue listed is the one actually happening
live on stage.
Finally, the Notes section is for points to remember about
the given cue or about a concurring action or dialogue.
You may wish to add a column for Cue Contents. It would show
the channel numbers and levels of each cue. This might be used as a
mechancical backup in case the board's memory failed, or simply as
yet another assurance to the operator as to what was coming up or
was active at a given moment.
Remember to draw lines between cues and to leave space
between them on the paper copy to place updates or changes.
Artist:
Song Song Song Memory Cue Notes
Name Tempo Layout # Transition
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The Song Name column is for the title of the number being
performed. This column may also be used to reference little interludes,
between-song dialogue, audience introductions, etc.
The Song Tempo is handy for a board operator that may be
unfamiliar with a given number. Knowing if a song is fast, medium, slow
is a help. As well, some will note the song genre here as an additional
clue: "Blues, Slow", "Jazz, Fast", etc.
The Song Layout lists each segment of the song. It can consist of divisions such as the ones following. Beside each might be a lighting cue.
Intro
Verse
Verse
Chorus
Keyboard Break
Verse
Guitar Break
Chorus
Outro
The Memory Number is the position on the lighting board where the look for a song's segment is stored. If there is no memory or matrix scene capability, the channel numbers and levels would be listed here. In the latter's case, before each cue is executed, the channel number and level would have to be set manually.
Also found here might be cues for chases or for a special effects
implementation such as flash pots, moving-light sweep, strobe lights,
and so on. These might be controlled from a board or switch
panel separate from the lighting console.
As with the Theatre Sheet, the Cue Transition tells the lighting
board operator how the cue is to be implemented. Is it a fast change to
the next look? Is it a slower crossfade? if so, how long is that fade
to take? Is it an addition look? That is, one to be added to the current
one? It might be a subtraction look - one to be removed from the current
look.
Finally, the Notes section is for points to remember about
the given cue. Some fill in a musician's name here if there are two or
more that might play a guitar break or provide lead vocals. Perhaps an
extended verse might occur before the last chorus, or other oddities
compared to earlier in the song.
You may wish to add a column for Cue Contents. This would
show the channel numbers and levels of each cue, if they are not already
shown in the Memory Number column.
Detailed cue sheets are valuable during a show's run and as
references at later dates. They are invaluable for a substitute
lighting person to quickly come up to speed for a given show
or act. Don't ignore their usefulness by skipping their creation.
Some of you may be interested in Roadie Corner in
the Purchase Guide
section of our website.
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