01
Define the experience
Clarify the audience, format, content, atmosphere and moments that must land.
From brief to live cue
A practical production framework for translating the event idea into a technical brief, a workable schedule and a show everyone can run together.
01
Clarify the audience, format, content, atmosphere and moments that must land.
02
Confirm access, power, rigging, sound limits, internet, sightlines and working space.
03
Translate creative intent into audio, lighting, video, staging, power and staffing.
04
Work backwards through delivery, installation, testing, rehearsal, doors and reset.
05
Keep every cue, responsibility and fallback in one shared plan.
The technical brief
Date, venue and access contact
Audience and expected attendance
Room layouts and programme formats
Public, private or streamed elements
Speech, music and performance inputs
Microphone types and quantities
Playback and recording requirements
Sound limits and neighbouring spaces
Stage, room and architectural looks
Daylight and blackout conditions
Power and rigging positions
House-light and emergency-light control
Screen sizes, ratios and sightlines
Presentation and playback formats
Speaker confidence monitors
Streaming, recording and distribution needs
Stage dimensions and load
Lecterns, furniture and set pieces
Branding and content-safe areas
Backstage and changeover storage
Technical lead and show caller
Operator and stage-management roles
Supplier arrival and induction
Communication channels and escalation
The show flow
A useful cue sheet shows time, action, technical response and owner. Keep it short enough to read live and specific enough to remove ambiguity.
| Time | Moment | Cue | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 | Doors open | House lights 70% · arrival playlist | FOH |
| 18:55 | Five-minute call | Speakers ready · doors remain open | Stage manager |
| 19:00 | Welcome | Walk-on music · stage look · mic live | Show caller |
| 19:08 | Film playback | Fade stage · roll film · audio follow | Video lead |
| 19:12 | Keynote | Return stage look · confidence screen live | Show caller |
| 19:35 | Transition | Walk-off music · reset stage · dinner call | Stage manager |
Venue access and supplier induction
Power-up and system testing
Content checks in final playback format
Speaker, performer and show-caller rehearsal
Guest-free reset before doors open
A documented fallback for critical cues
Need a technical partner?
Join for new production-planning resources and EventDoIt updates.
Free updates · Unsubscribe anytime · Privacy