What is a cue sheet and what information does it normally contain?

• A. A document listing every music cue used, including composer/publisher, start/end times, and rights.
• B. A schedule of shoot days and call times.
• C. A list of sound effects orders for Foley.
• D. A monitor calibration log.

Answer: (A)

A cue sheet is a track-by-track record of all music used in a film or TV program. It exists to manage licensing and royalties, so every music cue is documented with key details. For each cue you’ll typically have the cue’s title or description, the composer and publisher, the involved rights holders (and often their PROs), and the exact timing in the program—start and end times (or duration). It also notes the type of rights required (such as synchronization and master use) and whether the music is library/library-cleared, an original score, or a licensed preexisting track. Additional notes like the source of the cue and any special licensing considerations may appear. This information lets rights holders—via broadcasters, streaming services, and PROs—accurately track and distribute royalties.