Cues
Encyclopedia
A theatrical cue is the trigger for an action to be carried out at a specific time. It is generally associated with theatre
and the film
industry. They can be necessary for a lighting change or effect, a sound effect
, or some sort of stage
or set movement/change.
, by a signal with a 'cue light' or by a show control
system. There are 3 types of cues given. Warning, Standby, and Go.
The words 'warning' and 'standby' both come before the department and cue number, but the word 'go' comes after. This is because as soon as the word 'go' is heard the crew will execute the cue. It is important that no crew member use the word 'go' in any way while speaking into the intercom system, including casual use of the word 'go' by the stage manager. When discussing cues, many stage managers and crew members will substitute the phrase "the G word" or "G-O"for the word 'go'.
If there are multiple cues right in a row, rather than calling warnings, standbys and go's, a stage manager might say: "Warning Lights 26 through 30, Standby Lights 26 through 30, Lights 26 Go, Lights 27 Go, Lights 28 Go, Lights 29 Go, Lights 30 Go."
The technician
(s) or sound
and board ops
who are to take the cue are expected to respond so that the stage manager knows they have heard and understood them. A typical response could be, "Standing by", "Thank you, Sound", "Standby Rail
," or simply "Lights."
The stage manager may ask for the operator to say when the cue is completed. For this, it will be said:
Sometime either the warning or the standby is omitted. This is common if, for example a number of cues are close to each other and don't require preparation. Sometimes, in amateur theaters, a single warning or standby cue is consistently given about 30 seconds before the 'Go.'
allows an almost unlimited number. An example is 12.46.128.39.
In some systems, lighting, sound, and rail, etc. cues each have their own sequence. In this case, a stage manager would call, for example, Lights 1, Sound 1, Lights 2, Rail 1, Lights 3, etc. In other systems, the cues are arranged together, so that what the stage manager calls is sequential. In this system they might call Lights 1, Sound 2, Lights 3. It is acceptable in this system for there to be gaps in one discipline's cue stack. In this system, it is sometimes also acceptable for a single cue to control two or more separate actions. For example, a stage manager may call "Lights and sound 45" if the two are supposed to go simultaneously. Many show control systems are also easily capable of this sort of simultaneous cueing ability.
Often followspot operators do not take their cues from stage managers. This is generally because the timing of actors entrances and exits and other movements may vary from night to night, and because calling every followspot cue could become too complicated and interfere with the calling and execution of other cues. However, if there is a problem with the actor appearing on stage, the stage manager will notify the followspots of this over headset. More commonly, a stage manager may only call very specific followspot cues, like a blackout—frequently on a blackout cue there is a light cue, a sound cue, a followspot cue and sometimes even a set cue, so it is very important that everything happens all at the same time. Aside from this, followspot operators take their own cues and follow their own cue sheet, or take direction from the lighting board operator
on a communications subsystem dedicated to lighting cues.
(If a stage manager were to call every cue for a follow spot operator it might sound something like this: "Spot 1, pick up, spot 2 iris down, spot 1 switch to color frame #4, spot 3 douse out, spot 4 pick up , spot 2 switch to color frame #2.")
Cue lights are sometimes used for back stage cues when a headset
for communication
s is impractical, such as when an actor
needs to make an entrance, or if there is a cue needed on stage when the crew needs to be silent. The cue light is controlled by the stage manager using a switch the same way that (s)he would call audio cues over the headset. A solid red light indicates a 'warning' cue. An optional yellow light or a flashing red light indicates "standby". A green light signals "go." Some cue lights have a talkback feature which allows actors or crew to acknowledge back to the stage manager that the cue has been received.
.
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
and the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
industry. They can be necessary for a lighting change or effect, a sound effect
Sound effect
For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...
, or some sort of stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
or set movement/change.
Types of cues
Cues are generally given by the stage manager as a verbal signal over the headset system or backstage intercomIntercom
An intercom , talkback or doorphone is a stand-alone voice communications system for use within a building or small collection of buildings, functioning independently of the public telephone network. Intercoms are generally mounted permanently in buildings and vehicles...
, by a signal with a 'cue light' or by a show control
Show control
Show control is the use of automation technology to link together and operate multiple entertainment control systems in a coordinated manner. It is distinguished from entertainment control , which coordinates elements within a single entertainment discipline such as lighting, sound, video, rigging...
system. There are 3 types of cues given. Warning, Standby, and Go.
- Warning: Given about a minute prior to the cue and gives time for crew members to get ready and make sure everything is set (this is especially important with cues for set or railFly systemA fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...
changes).
- Standby: Given a few seconds before the cue and tells the crew members everything should be set and they should be standing by to go.
- Go: Given at the moment the cue should be executed. This sets the crew members in action.
Calling and execution of cues
There are several common methods for the stage manager to call warning, standby and go and each stage manager has their own method. The important thing is that they can be heard and understood. Here is an example of a way a stage manager might call for Light Cue #24- "Warning LX 24"
- "Standby LX 24"
- "LX 24 GO"
The words 'warning' and 'standby' both come before the department and cue number, but the word 'go' comes after. This is because as soon as the word 'go' is heard the crew will execute the cue. It is important that no crew member use the word 'go' in any way while speaking into the intercom system, including casual use of the word 'go' by the stage manager. When discussing cues, many stage managers and crew members will substitute the phrase "the G word" or "G-O"for the word 'go'.
If there are multiple cues right in a row, rather than calling warnings, standbys and go's, a stage manager might say: "Warning Lights 26 through 30, Standby Lights 26 through 30, Lights 26 Go, Lights 27 Go, Lights 28 Go, Lights 29 Go, Lights 30 Go."
The technician
Theatrical technician
A theatrical technician, is a person who operates technical equipment and systems in the Performing arts and Entertainment industry...
(s) or sound
Sound operator
The sound operator is the person responsible for the overall and total execution of all sound-related aspects of a theatrical performance...
and board ops
Light board operator
The light board operator is the electrician who operates the light board. Depending on the scale and type of production, the board op may be responsible for conventional or automated lighting fixtures, as well as practicals and, in some instances, controlling video as well.Sometimes, most commonly...
who are to take the cue are expected to respond so that the stage manager knows they have heard and understood them. A typical response could be, "Standing by", "Thank you, Sound", "Standby Rail
Fly system
A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...
," or simply "Lights."
The stage manager may ask for the operator to say when the cue is completed. For this, it will be said:
- SM :Standby Pyro 2, with a complete.
- Pyro:Standing by.
- SM :Pyro 2, GO.
- [pyro happens]
- Pyro:Completed.
Sometime either the warning or the standby is omitted. This is common if, for example a number of cues are close to each other and don't require preparation. Sometimes, in amateur theaters, a single warning or standby cue is consistently given about 30 seconds before the 'Go.'
Cue order
Cues have established numbers, generally starting from 1 and progressing in integers. If an extra cue is added after the initial list is set, it may be divided by a decimal or a letter. for example, a sequence may go 37, 37.3, 37.7 or 51A, 51B, 51C. It is rare for two decimal digits to be used (like 12.45, 12.46,) particularly as some lighting boards only allow one decimal digit. Show control systems, however, allow and frequently use multiple decimal places as well as digits especially since MIDI Show ControlMIDI Show Control
MIDI Show Control, or MSC, is a significant Real Time System Exclusive extension of the international Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard...
allows an almost unlimited number. An example is 12.46.128.39.
In some systems, lighting, sound, and rail, etc. cues each have their own sequence. In this case, a stage manager would call, for example, Lights 1, Sound 1, Lights 2, Rail 1, Lights 3, etc. In other systems, the cues are arranged together, so that what the stage manager calls is sequential. In this system they might call Lights 1, Sound 2, Lights 3. It is acceptable in this system for there to be gaps in one discipline's cue stack. In this system, it is sometimes also acceptable for a single cue to control two or more separate actions. For example, a stage manager may call "Lights and sound 45" if the two are supposed to go simultaneously. Many show control systems are also easily capable of this sort of simultaneous cueing ability.
Other
Many types of cues are not apparent to the stage manager, or are subtle. In this case the technician who executed the cue usually responds with a taken note; e.g. "Rail cue 11 taken." Sometimes, the technician replies with a response like "light cue 6 done" to indicate the conclusion of a light or sound cue with a prolonged execution time.Often followspot operators do not take their cues from stage managers. This is generally because the timing of actors entrances and exits and other movements may vary from night to night, and because calling every followspot cue could become too complicated and interfere with the calling and execution of other cues. However, if there is a problem with the actor appearing on stage, the stage manager will notify the followspots of this over headset. More commonly, a stage manager may only call very specific followspot cues, like a blackout—frequently on a blackout cue there is a light cue, a sound cue, a followspot cue and sometimes even a set cue, so it is very important that everything happens all at the same time. Aside from this, followspot operators take their own cues and follow their own cue sheet, or take direction from the lighting board operator
Light board operator
The light board operator is the electrician who operates the light board. Depending on the scale and type of production, the board op may be responsible for conventional or automated lighting fixtures, as well as practicals and, in some instances, controlling video as well.Sometimes, most commonly...
on a communications subsystem dedicated to lighting cues.
(If a stage manager were to call every cue for a follow spot operator it might sound something like this: "Spot 1, pick up
Cue lights are sometimes used for back stage cues when a headset
Headset (telephone/computer)
A headset is headphones combined with a microphone, or one headphone with a microphone. Headsets provide the equivalent functionality of a telephone handset with hands-free operation. Headsets typically have only one speaker like a telephone, but also come with speakers for both ears...
for communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s is impractical, such as when an actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
needs to make an entrance, or if there is a cue needed on stage when the crew needs to be silent. The cue light is controlled by the stage manager using a switch the same way that (s)he would call audio cues over the headset. A solid red light indicates a 'warning' cue. An optional yellow light or a flashing red light indicates "standby". A green light signals "go." Some cue lights have a talkback feature which allows actors or crew to acknowledge back to the stage manager that the cue has been received.
Cue Sheet
A cue sheet is a form usually generated by the stage manager or design department head that indicates information about the cue including execution, timing, sequence, intensity (for lights), and volume (for sound). The board operators, running and deck crews may have copies of the cue sheet with just the information dealing with their department. The stage manager keeps a master list of all the cues in the show and keeps track of them in the Prompt bookPrompt book
The prompt book, also called promptbook, transcript, the bible or sometimes simply "the book," is the copy of a production script that contains the information necessary to create the production from the ground up...
.
See also
- Cue LightCue lightA cue light is a system of one or more electric light bulbs used to allow silent cues to be given to technicians and performers at various working locations during the running of a show. Typically, the Deputy Stage Manager sends signals to these cue lights at pre-arranged times...
- Stage managementStage managementStage management is the practice of organizing and coordinating a theatrical production. It encompasses a variety of activities, including organizing the production and coordinating communications between various personnel...
- Light board operatorLight board operatorThe light board operator is the electrician who operates the light board. Depending on the scale and type of production, the board op may be responsible for conventional or automated lighting fixtures, as well as practicals and, in some instances, controlling video as well.Sometimes, most commonly...
- Followspot operator
- Running crewRunning crewRunning crew or run crew, is a collective term used in theatre to describe the members of the technical crew who supervise and operate the various technical aspects of the production during a performance...
- Show controlShow controlShow control is the use of automation technology to link together and operate multiple entertainment control systems in a coordinated manner. It is distinguished from entertainment control , which coordinates elements within a single entertainment discipline such as lighting, sound, video, rigging...
- MIDI Show ControlMIDI Show ControlMIDI Show Control, or MSC, is a significant Real Time System Exclusive extension of the international Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard...