Show Rundown Creator

How to create an accurate, usable run of show for live events

A run of show, sometimes called a show rundown or production cue sheet, is the shared timeline that keeps stage management, audio, video, lighting, camera, graphics, playback, and presenters aligned. A useful rundown does more than list agenda items. It identifies when each segment starts, how long it should last, who owns each cue, what the operator should do, and how the show transitions into the next moment. This free rundown creator lets you build that document directly in your browser and rehearse cue timing without creating an account.

Build your rundown before the production meeting

Start by naming your event and entering the planned show start time. Add an item for each sequence: house open, walk-in music, countdown, opening video, host welcome, speaker introductions, keynote, panel, break, award presentation, and closing. Enter a duration for every item using minutes and seconds. The tool calculates the expected start time for the following segment and the overall finish time. If one item changes by two minutes, downstream scheduled cue times shift automatically.

For complex productions, use short cue titles that an operator can identify instantly. Instead of a vague title such as “Video,” use “Opening Sizzle — Play VT01 on GO.” Assign a responsible department: stage manager (SM), audio (A1), lighting (LX), video (V1), playback (PB), camera (CAM), graphics (GFX), or other. The department does not necessarily mean only one person will execute the cue; it helps the show caller identify the lead action. Use the notes field to spell out handoffs, dependencies, and standby warnings.

Estimate running time and scheduled starts

This planner uses sequential timing. If a show begins at 09:00, the first segment runs for 5 minutes, and the next segment takes 3 minutes 30 seconds, the second segment starts at 09:05 and the third begins at 09:08:30. The scheduled end time is the planned start plus the sum of every cue duration. A zero-duration cue can represent an instantaneous GO command, but should not be used where an actual transition consumes time. Put transitions, applause, stage resets, or walk-in periods into the rundown when they affect the schedule.

For example, a corporate all-hands might include a 2-minute countdown, 90-second opening video, 5-minute host welcome, 25-minute CEO presentation, 15-minute Q&A, and 3-minute closing. That totals 51 minutes 30 seconds before allowing for transitions or a holding buffer. A published agenda can be shorter than the operational rundown because the crew needs precise cues that guests never see.

Call cues in live mode

Once the cue sheet is ready, switch to Live Mode. Start the show when the first cue actually begins. A running clock shows the current cue elapsed time alongside the total show elapsed time. The display highlights the active cue, and the operator notes remain visible while the show caller is working. Use Next Cue or the keyboard shortcut to advance. If the show is paused for a hold, use Escape or the pause button; resuming continues the clock from the stopped point.

Live timekeeping is browser-based and intended for rehearsal or operational assistance. It is not a genlocked timecode source, an automation controller, or a substitute for production communications. Browser tabs can lose focus, computers can sleep, and a remote user may not see your local state. Always communicate cues over the established show intercom and maintain a backup rundown where production risk requires one.

Use teleprompter mode for presenters and rehearsals

Expand a cue and enter the presenter script, including stage directions or pronunciation reminders. Teleprompter mode displays those scripts in show order using adjustable font size and scroll speed. The viewer may be scrolled manually or advanced at an approximate rate. Short, deliberate sentences with extra blank lines often work better on a teleprompter than dense paragraphs. Separate each speaker or major topic into its own cue so changes to the agenda remain easy to manage.

Templates and exports for broadcast and corporate AV

The built-in starting templates cover corporate all-hands, news broadcasts, concerts and festivals, and podcast episodes. These are examples rather than fixed production rules: load one, adjust departments, rename segments, and remove anything irrelevant. Use CSV export for a spreadsheet-ready cue list and JSON project export to preserve notes, scripts, and editable cue details. The print command opens your browser's print dialog, where you can save the cue sheet to PDF if supported.

Project content stays in the browser's local storage unless you export it yourself. Because another browser, private window, or device may not have the saved data, export a JSON backup before a critical production. Import replaces the current project only after a confirmation. No collaboration or remote synchronization is implied.

Checklist before going live

• Confirm every presenter name, pronunciation, and planned speaking duration.
• Label video and audio playback cues with their exact media filenames or playback IDs.
• Include stage resets, house-light changes, walk-in and walk-out music, and award handoffs.
• Clearly note who calls each GO and which department takes the cue.
• Rehearse the opening, complex handoffs, and final walk-off with the entire crew.
• Save an editable backup and a printable version of the final approved rundown.
• Review changes with the stage manager and technical departments before showtime.

Frequently asked questions