Cue Sheets
Information on a cue sheet (ie: track name, length, composer etc… which comes with every track you purchase) will be requested by a broadcaster. Unless your film is being released in a theatre, on TV or on radio, then this isn’t something you’ll need to bother with. Occasionally an online broadcaster might ask for extra details about a song you are using in your project and all this information can be found with your purchased track.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. It doesn’t cost you or the broadcaster anything to fill in a cue sheet. It requires very little effort and provides a great support to the industry.
What is a cue sheet?
If someone uses music for any production which is publicly performed (i.e. in a film or production for broadcast on a television network, a radio station, a theatrical release, etc.), filling out a cue sheet is requested. A cue sheet is a document that contains a detailed listing of each piece of music used in such a production, including the composer, publisher, usage of the music, (background, theme, etc.) length of the music, and a title for each piece of music.
Who submits a cue sheet?
The cue sheet is usually prepared by producers and then provided to a broadcaster along with a produced film, video, TV show, etc so that the broadcaster can report the use of the music (submit a cue sheet) to a Performing Rights Organization every time a project is broadcast. Again, it costs the producer nothing.
What is it for?
Performing Rights Organizations (i.e: PRS, ASCAP, BMI) use the details provided on the cue sheets to identify and pay performance royalties to composers. Broadcast companies, as well as any companies that play music in public (hotels, restaurants, cinemas, airports, theaters, athletic clubs, etc.), pay annual fees to their local Performing Rights Organizations. These fees are then divided among composers and publishers accordingly.
Where can I get a cue sheet to fill out?
If you’re working with a broadcaster, let’s say, you’ve produced a film and a TV station has expressed interest in airing your film, there will often be someone there, perhaps a music director, station manager or some other such personnel that will provide you with their own standard type of cue sheet that they like to use. In such a case, you’d simply talk to them, get a blank cue sheet from them and fill-in the appropriate information (that comes with the track).
Example of a filled in Cue Sheet:
What if you’re producing for example a corporate or training video or using it in an online video or application?
You wouldn’t need to submit a cue sheet – If your production is not a film for theatre release, TV or radio broadcast, you do not need a cue sheet.
