The sweet spot for Light Show duration is two to five minutes, with three minutes being optimal for most activations. This timeframe provides enough time to create a memorable, immersive experience and build momentum without losing audience attention or causing arm fatigue from holding phones up. Anything shorter than two minutes may feel too brief to generate full emotional impact, while anything longer than four to five minutes risks diminishing engagement as audiences begin to lower their phones and disengage.
For longer events like DJ sets or extended performances, consider programming the Light Show for a specific 3-5 minute segment during a peak moment rather than the entire performance. You can have fans scan in early with a 'hold tight, light show coming' message, then activate the flashlights during your chosen climactic moment.
Regarding script time, the web-based Light Show requires dramatically less promotional effort compared to app-based solutions. With app-based versions, teams often needed 5+ minutes of promotion and multiple script callouts throughout the game reminding fans to download the app, check their version, run audio tests, and troubleshoot connectivity issues. With CUE's web-based Light Show, your call-to-action is beautifully simple: display a countdown timer (we recommend 30 seconds) alongside a large QR code. Fans simply scan and participate—no lengthy instructions about app stores, version requirements, or audio test procedures. You can promote it lightly throughout the game and even capture last-minute participants who scan just seconds before the show begins. This frees up valuable script time for other activations and keeps the energy focused on the experience rather than technical setup.