Resources / Production guide

From brief to live cue

Make the complex feel
calm in the room.

A practical production framework for translating the event idea into a technical brief, a workable schedule and a show everyone can run together.

01

Define the experience

Clarify the audience, format, content, atmosphere and moments that must land.

02

Survey the venue

Confirm access, power, rigging, sound limits, internet, sightlines and working space.

03

Design the system

Translate creative intent into audio, lighting, video, staging, power and staffing.

04

Build the schedule

Work backwards through delivery, installation, testing, rehearsal, doors and reset.

05

Run the show

Keep every cue, responsibility and fallback in one shared plan.

The technical brief

Give production the information it needs to design well.

01

Event basics

Date, venue and access contact

Audience and expected attendance

Room layouts and programme formats

Public, private or streamed elements

02

Audio

Speech, music and performance inputs

Microphone types and quantities

Playback and recording requirements

Sound limits and neighbouring spaces

03

Lighting

Stage, room and architectural looks

Daylight and blackout conditions

Power and rigging positions

House-light and emergency-light control

04

Video & content

Screen sizes, ratios and sightlines

Presentation and playback formats

Speaker confidence monitors

Streaming, recording and distribution needs

05

Stage & scenic

Stage dimensions and load

Lecterns, furniture and set pieces

Branding and content-safe areas

Backstage and changeover storage

06

People & operations

Technical lead and show caller

Operator and stage-management roles

Supplier arrival and induction

Communication channels and escalation

The show flow

One line for every moment that matters.

A useful cue sheet shows time, action, technical response and owner. Keep it short enough to read live and specific enough to remove ambiguity.

TimeMomentCueOwner
18:00Doors openHouse lights 70% · arrival playlistFOH
18:55Five-minute callSpeakers ready · doors remain openStage manager
19:00WelcomeWalk-on music · stage look · mic liveShow caller
19:08Film playbackFade stage · roll film · audio followVideo lead
19:12KeynoteReturn stage look · confidence screen liveShow caller
19:35TransitionWalk-off music · reset stage · dinner callStage manager

Protect time for the things that cannot be rushed.

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?

Move from a clearer brief to a tailored production plan.

Explore production

Bring the team around one workable plan.

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