Cuez lets you start with multiple default Block configurations that may or may not suffice for the type of show you plan on creating. In this article we describe the Block configurations included in the News template, we'll go over them one by one.
With the power of the Block configurations manager, you can always customize these default Block configurations as needed, as well as add your own custom ones.
Text Blocks
Text Blocks give you a way to add your (Script) text to the Episode. In the 'Add block' menu, Text Blocks can be recognised by the 'T' in front of them.
Prompter
'Prompter' is a Text Block configuration that can be used to enter script text destined for a prompting/autocue system. We display the 'Prompter' badge in our Episode so it is clearly visible that this is a Prompter Text Block.
As it is a Text Block, it only contains a text field. We opted to have our text content included in timings so that Cuez can automatically calculate the Estimated Duration of our Prompter Text Block.
Tablet
'Tablet' is a Text Block configuration that can be used to enter script text destined for a presenter tablet. We display the 'Tablet' badge in our Episode so it is clearly visible that this is a Tablet Text Block.
As it is a Text Block, it only contains a text field, which we configured to always be in uppercase. We opted to have our text content included in timings so that Cuez can automatically calculate the Estimated Duration of our Tablet Text Block.
Instructions
'Instructions' is a Text Block configuration that can be used to enter more general instructions, such as as applause. We do not display the 'Instructions' badge in our Episode as we want these instructions to not take too much focus, but blend in more as part of the script text.
As it is a Text Block, it only contains a text field, which we configured to be in bold, uppercase, as well as a different text color (orange). We opted to not have this text content included in the timings as the text entered in this Block will not affect the total duration of our show.
Reporter
'Reporter' is a Text Block configuration that can be used to enter script text destined for a reporter. We display the 'Reporter' badge in our Episode so it is clearly visible that this is a Reporter Text Block.
As it is a Text Block, it only contains a text field. We opted to have our text content included in timings so that Cuez can automatically calculate the Estimated Duration of our Reporter Text Block.
Cue Blocks
Cue Blocks allow you to add different types of media and other cues to your Episode (clips, graphics, straps, wipes, bugs,...). In the 'Add Block' menu, Cue Blocks can be recognised by the 'CUE' in front of them.
Clip
'Clip' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add videos to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Clip Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Media: The 'Media' field is set to the 'Video' media type and is set to be included in the timings so that Cuez can automatically calculate the Estimated Duration of our Clip Cue Block.
Sound: The 'Sound' field is a Label field with options such as 'OFF' or 'SOT'. We opted to not allow multiple selections as we want the user to make a clear choice between the available options.
Last Words: The 'Last Words' field is a Plain text field where a video's last words can be entered. No default field style applied, but we enabled the option to display this field in its own separate row.
Graphic
'Graphic' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add images to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Graphic Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Media: The 'Media' field is set to the 'Image' media type, with default size settings such as Display Format 'HDV/HDTV 1080 (default)' with a Width of 1920 and a Height of 1080.
Template: 'Template' is a Label field with the two options 'Landscape' or 'Portrait'. We opted to not allow multiple selections as we want the user to make a clear choice between the two options available and the Labels won't be displayed in a separate row.
Status: 'Status' is a Label field with the three options 'Ready', 'Rejected' or 'Requested'. We opted to not allow multiple selections as we want the user to make a clear choice between the two options available and the Labels won't be displayed in a separate row.
Bug: The 'Bug' field is a Plain text field with no default field style applied and the option to display this field in its own separate row is enabled.
Audio
'Audio' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add audio clips to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is an Audio Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Media: The 'Media' field is set to the 'Audio' media type and is set to be included in the timings so that Cuez can automatically calculate the Estimated Duration of our Audio Cue Block.
Strap
'Strap' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add a Strap (or Lowerthird) to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Strap Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Subtitle: The 'Subtitle' is a Plain text field for a subtitle or description for the Strap. The option to display this field in its own separate row is enabled.
Tag: 'Tag' is a Label field with the options 'Live', 'Live + Location' or 'Location'. We opted to not allow multiple selections as we want the user to make a clear choice between the two options available and the Label won't be displayed in a separate row.
Live
'Live' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add live segments to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Live Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold and displayed in a separate row.
Text: The 'Text' field is a Text area field in italics where we can put text to go with our Live Cue Block.
Break
'Break' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add breaks to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Break Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Media: The 'Media' field is set to the 'Video' media type and is set to be included in the timings so that our Break Cue Block can use timings. We opted to hide the field from the Scipt/Rundown, meaning that it will only be shown when opening the details of the Block.
Call
'Call' is a Cue Block configuration that can be used to add calls to the Episode. We display the Block background color in our Episode so that, together with the Block's badge, it is clearly visible that this is a Call Cue Block.
Block Fields:
Title: The 'Title' is a default title field (plain text) in bold.
Type: 'Type' is a Label field with the multiple options to indicate via which medium the call would take place. We opted to not allow multiple selections as we want the user to make a clear choice between the options available, and the label won't be displayed in a separate row.
Link: The 'Link' is a Plain text field for the link for the call. The option to display this field in its own separate row is enabled.
