In our last article, we explained why event planners need both a timeline and a production plan. Here, we’ll show you how —using three key components that you can grasp in five minutes and won’t want to do without ever again.

Module 1: The Cue—a block that calculates its own value

A cue is the smallest program component of your event: “Welcome,” “Keynote,” “Break.” It has a start time and a duration—that’s all it takes. The start time of the next cue is automatically determined by the duration of the previous one.

That may sound trivial, but it completely changes the way you work: If the keynote is extended from 30 to 35 minutes, everything that follows automatically shifts accordingly. No need to recalculate, no 40 cells in Excel that you have to correct by hand, and—most importantly—no rows you might forget!

Module 2: Sub-Cues – What Happens Within a Cue

A production plan doesn’t end with “Keynote, 30 minutes.” It also includes an introduction, video clips, camera cuts, on-screen text, and recorded applause. That’s exactly what sub-cues are for: They appear as subcategories under a cue and can be expanded or collapsed with a single click. When collapsed, you see the sequence plan; when expanded, you see the production plan—the same timeline, two levels of detail.

And here’s the one difference you need to understand:

Sequential sub-cues are the driving force behind your detailed sequence: They build up the main category cue step by step, and their total duration is always the sum of their subcategories. Parallel sub-cues are the secondary strand—they can be shorter, longer, or extend beyond the main category cue without disrupting the schedule.

Module 3: The Lock – Fixed Times in the Middle of the Automated System

This is where traditional tools fall short. Some times are non-negotiable: The buffet opens at 6:00 p.m., the livestream goes ON AIR right on the dot, and the shuttle leaves at 10:30 p.m. These times can’t be pushed back just because the keynote ran five minutes longer…

In colada.scripts, simply enter the desired start time manually and click the lock icon. The cue is now “locked” and removed from the automatic calculation—it will remain in place no matter what happens before it. Remove the lock, and the cue will immediately rejoin the chain. That’s all there is to it.

What this means in everyday life

• One document instead of two. The project management team reviews the overview, while the production team works on the details in depth.
• Changes take just a few seconds. Reorder sub-cues using drag-and-drop, adjust the duration—the rest works itself out. That takes care of the infamous “finale_v3_really_final.xlsx”!
• Realism over spectacle. Because sequential sub-cues add up to the main category’s duration, it becomes apparent as early as the planning stage if 35 minutes of content is to be squeezed into a 30-minute slot.
• Peace of mind during live performances. The scripts.PLAYER displays the current cue, the next cue, and the deviation from the scheduled time in sync across all devices—laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Five Steps to Your First Plan

• Create rough program entries as cues—just the title and duration.
• Enter fixed times and lock them in place.
• Add sequential sub-cues to each cue until the duration is met.
• Add all accompanying elements (stream, lighting preset, translation, catering) as parallel sub-cues.
• Assign roles: Crew members see their cues; customers are granted read access without logging in.

The plan you create during the planning phase is the same one the show caller follows on the evening of the event. From the initial rough timeline to the final cue on stage—no media gaps, no retyping, no version confusion.

Read more: Schedule or Production Plan? Why Event Planners Need Both