{"id":5916,"date":"2026-07-26T16:24:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T16:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colada.info\/production\/cues-sub-cues-and-fixed-times-thats-how-simple-colada-scripts-is\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T17:37:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:37:17","slug":"cues-sub-cues-and-fixed-times-thats-how-simple-colada-scripts-is","status":"publish","type":"production","link":"https:\/\/colada.info\/en\/production\/cues-sub-cues-and-fixed-times-thats-how-simple-colada-scripts-is\/","title":{"rendered":"Cues, sub-cues, and fixed times\u2014that’s how simple colada.scripts is"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our last article, we explained why<\/em> event planners need both a timeline and a production plan. Here, we\u2019ll show you how<\/em> \u2014using three key components that you can grasp in five minutes and won\u2019t want to do without ever again. <\/p>\n\n

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Module 1: The Cue\u2014a block that calculates its own value<\/h3>\n\n

A cue is the smallest program component of your event: \u201cWelcome,\u201d \u201cKeynote,\u201d \u201cBreak.\u201d It has a start time and a duration\u2014that\u2019s all it takes. The start time of the next cue is automatically determined by the duration of the previous one. <\/p>\n\n

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\u2014most importantly\u2014no rows you might forget! <\/p>\n\n

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Diagram 1 \u00b7 The Chain Principle<\/p>\n

17:00:00<\/div>
Cue 1 \u00b7 Doors Open & Music<\/span>12:15 a.m.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:15:00<\/div>
Cue 2 \u00b7 Opening & Keynote<\/span>00:30:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:45:00<\/div>
Cue 3 \u00b7 Panel<\/span>00:10:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

If you change the duration of Cue 1 to 20 minutes, Cue 2 will start immediately at 5:20 p.m. and Cue 3 at 5:50 p.m. The sequence calculates automatically. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Module 2: Sub-Cues \u2013 What Happens Within a Cue<\/h3>\n\n

A production plan doesn\u2019t end with \u201cKeynote, 30 minutes.\u201d It also includes an introduction, video clips, camera cuts, on-screen text, and recorded applause. That\u2019s 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\u2014the same timeline, two levels of detail. <\/p>\n\n

And here’s the one difference you need to understand:<\/p>\n\n

Type<\/th>Behavior<\/th>What is it for?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Sequential<\/td>They run one after the other. The durations add up to determine the total duration of the main category cue. <\/td>Introduction \u2192 Video clip \u2192 Presentation \u2192 Q&A<\/td><\/tr>
Parallel<\/td>Plays simultaneously. The duration has no<\/strong> effect on the main category cue. <\/td>Live stream, interpreter booth, catering setup, banner<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
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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\u2014they can be shorter, longer, or extend beyond the main category cue without disrupting the schedule. <\/p>\n\n

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Diagram 2 \u00b7 Sequential vs. Parallel Within Cue 2<\/p>\n

17:15:00<\/div>
\u25be Cue 2 \u00b7 Opening & Keynote<\/span>00:30:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:15:00<\/div>
2.1 Welcome from Management<\/span>00:15:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:30:00<\/div>
2.2 Segment: \u201cYear in Review\u201d<\/span>00:05:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:35:00<\/div>
2.3 Live Stream Signal & Recording<\/span>00:20:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:35:00<\/div>
2.4 Keynote Slot: Guest Speaker<\/span>00:10:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
\n <\/i>Cue<\/span>\n <\/i>sequential (counts toward duration)<\/span>\n <\/i>parallel (does not count)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

15 + 5 + 10 minutes in sequence = exactly the 30 minutes of Cue 2. The parallel livestream sub-cue runs for 20 minutes and may even extend beyond the end of Cue 2\u2014this does not affect the timeline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Diagram 3 \u00b7 The Same Cue as a Timeline<\/p>\n

\n
Cue 2 (total)<\/div>
5:15 p.m. \u2013 5:45 p.m. \u00b7 30 min<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
2.1 Welcome<\/div>
15 min<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
2.2 Video Clips<\/div>
5<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
2.4 Keynote<\/div>
10 min<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
2.3 Live Stream<\/div>
20 min \u25b8<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>
5:15 p.m.<\/span>5:22 p.m.<\/span>5:30 p.m.<\/span>5:37 p.m.<\/span>5:45 p.m.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

Blue builds up the duration; green runs alongside it. Once you’ve seen the difference, you’ll never plan any other way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Module 3: The Lock \u2013 Fixed Times in the Middle of the Automated System<\/h2>\n\n

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\u2019t<\/strong> be pushed back just because the keynote ran five minutes longer… <\/p>\n\n

In colada.scripts<\/strong>, simply enter the desired start time manually and click the lock icon. The cue is now \u201clocked\u201d and removed from the automatic calculation\u2014it will remain in place no matter what happens before it. Remove the lock, and the cue will immediately rejoin the chain. That\u2019s all there is to it. <\/p>\n\n

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Scheme 4 \u00b7 Locked Cue as an Anchor<\/p>\n

17:45:00<\/div>
Cue 3 \u00b7 Panel Discussion<\/span>00:10:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
17:55:00<\/div>
Buffer \u2013 created automatically<\/span>00:05:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
18:00:00<\/div>
\ud83d\udd12 Cue 4 \u00b7 Buffet Opens (fixed)<\/span>00:03:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
18:03:00<\/div>
Cue 5 \u00b7 Open Network Segment<\/span>00:00:00<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Is the panel running 4 minutes over? Cue 4 stays at 6:00 p.m., and the buffer visibly shrinks to 1 minute. You can immediately see how much leeway is left in the schedule\u2014instead of realizing it only once you\u2019re live on stage. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The real trick:<\/strong> A schedule is based on fixed times. A production plan is based on durations and triggers. colada.scripts allows both approaches to coexist side by side on a single<\/em> timeline\u2014fixed anchor points for key dates, and automatic cascading for everything in between. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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What this means in everyday life<\/h2>\n\n