Cue Sheets

What is a cue sheet?

A cue sheet is a record of all the songs and compositions used in a film and television production. We need these for every locally produced program broadcast in Australia.

All music used in a production need to be supplied to us because we distribute on the public performance of the work. Regardless of how music is obtained (ie purchased/commissioned), all music needs to be identified. This also applies to royalty free music.

Include these details in your cue sheet header:

Production Title
Episode Title/Actors Names/Name of Event
Production Company
Production Number (if available)
Country of Origin
Series Number (if relevant)
Episode Number (if relevant)
Director (only applicable to Films/Documentaries)
Year of Production
Total Production Duration
Date of Broadcast (First Transmission/Release Date)

Include these details about the song or composition used:

Song Title
Composer (if unavailable, provide performer details)
Performer
Publisher (if available)
Record Label (required if the work is Production Music)
Catalogue Disc Number (required if the work is Production Music)
Track Number (required if the work is Production Music)
Duration used
Work Origin – Commercial, Production Music or Specially Commissioned
Vocal/Instrumental/Mix (if multiple versions exist)
Usage Type – Theme, Background or Featured.

Key Terms

Theme refers to music that is regularly or solely associated with a television series, individual program or film, when used as the opening and/or closing theme. Theme excludes music used in conjunction with program previews (teasers) play ons/offs or recaps, which are credited as background music.

Background refers to any songs or compositions used in the broadcast that can only be heard by the audience at home – not by the characters/actors/live audience/hosts etc. This also applies to any prepackaged/prerecorded or post-production stories/items within the broadcast.

Featured refers to music which falls into one or more of the following categories:

Music performed by one of the characters or music that is listened to by characters in a scene
Music performed in music video clips
Music performed in association with choreographed dance sequences
Music performed “on camera”

Submitting Cue Sheets

Cue sheets can either be submitted by emailing a completed Excel template to [email protected], or via our Online Cue System. Submit overseas cue sheets produced outside of AU & NZ to [email protected].