Are CUE sheets really neccessary?

[Mark Anthony Larmand]

Hi guys.

Just wondering if CUE sheets are ever used by anyone else other than the composer? In other words... are they really needed if the composer doesn't feel he needs to construct/create them?

Also... if they are read by anyone other than the composer (and his trusty crew), how much room is there for personal customization beyond the standard CUE sheet formatting?


Thanks in advance for your time and experience in this topic.

Have a good one.

Mark...

[Joel Douek]

Absolutely necessary. There are currency and they are how you will get paid and track what is owed to you. Apart from the composer team and music editor, they are used by the music supervisor, the broadcast and distribution people, and ultimately the PRO's (ASCAP etc)... and the latter pay you based on what the cuesheet contains.

Even though they are a pain in the rear to do, it's worth becoming good at it. Know the difference between Background Vocal and Backgound Instrumental etc (the former pays 4 times as much by the way, which is which we composers are always sticking vocals on everything :) , and all the other specifics. Use a standardized format or you'll end up being asked to redo it or fit it into some TV station's format down the line.

OK. There you have it!
Best,
Joel

[Mark Anthony Larmand]

Wow OK, very good information Joel, thank you very much. Especially the info about using vocals... i'll be using a fair bit of those myself LOL.

Does anyone have a good/trusted link to a site whereby someone can learn about creating a standardized CUE sheet?

Joel Douek said:

Absolutely necessary. There are currency and they are how you will get paid and track what is owed to you. Apart from the composer team and music editor, they are used by the music supervisor, the broadcast and distribution people, and ultimately the PRO's (ASCAP etc)... and the latter pay you based on what the cuesheet contains.

Even though they are a pain in the rear to do, it's worth becoming good at it. Know the difference between Background Vocal and Backgound Instrumental etc (the former pays 4 times as much by the way, which is which we composers are always sticking vocals on everything :) , and all the other specifics. Use a standardized format or you'll end up being asked to redo it or fit it into some TV station's format down the line.

OK. There you have it!
Best,
Joel

[Joel Douek]

Probably not completely. This is more for songs & such. The key terms for composers' cuesheets are T,BV, BI VV VI. I could upload an example of a typical PBS or Discovery cuesheet if that would be helpful.


Ray Kemp said:

http://digitalx.org/cuesheetsyntax.php

Is this it?

[Joel Douek]

Here is an example of a basic cuesheet.

[Mark Anthony Larmand]

Excellent thanks Joel. I'll have a look at this and see if i can understand what i'm seeing before asking any questions on it.

I appreciate everyone's help, thank you very much folks.

Mark...

Joel Douek said:

Here is an example of a basic cuesheet.