What is the purpose of cue-based editing in a film music score?

• A. Align music cues precisely with film edits, ensuring correct start/end points and emotional timing in relation to picture.
• B. Change the tempo of the entire score to match film length.
• C. Sync music cues only to dialogue timestamps.
• D. Create a single continuous music bed without considering edits.

Answer: (A)

Cue-based editing centers on matching every musical cue to the film’s edits. The aim is to place start and end points of musical moments so they land with cuts, actions, or emotional beats on screen. This timing reinforces pacing, sharpens transitions, and ensures the music supports what the audience is seeing and feeling at that moment. It also provides flexibility: when picture edits shift, the score can be re-timed to preserve the intended emotional arc without drift. The other options miss the main goal: changing the tempo of the entire score to fit film length ignores moment-to-moment alignment; syncing only to dialogue timestamps is too narrow; and creating a single continuous bed disregards cuts and their impact on mood and pacing.