Cue Sheet
A document listing all music used in a film, TV show, or video production for royalty tracking.
Definition
A cue sheet is the official record of every piece of music used in a visual media production. It documents the song title, composer, publisher, duration, and how the music was used (background, theme, etc.).
Production companies submit cue sheets to performance rights organizations (PROs) who use them to calculate and distribute royalties to rights holders.
Why It Matters
Cue sheets are how composers and publishers get paid for sync placements. Without accurate cue sheets, royalties are lost or misdirected.
Music supervisors and production companies that maintain meticulous cue sheets build trust with rights holders and PROs.
Examples in Practice
A TV show's music supervisor submits a cue sheet listing 23 songs used across a season, ensuring all composers receive performance royalties.
A film composer discovers their music was used uncredited and works with the PRO to correct the cue sheet and collect back royalties.
A production company's accounting department maintains detailed cue sheets to avoid costly disputes with music publishers.