When you are starting to create a calling script it’s important to first create a list of all the different elements you will be in charge of cueing. For example lights, sounds, projections etc. This will help you figure out how many different tabs / colors you will need. 

After that, I like to create my run sheets so that I have a complete list of the cues I need to put into my book. Below is my cue sheet from the last show I did. Once I have these lists for all the elements I call then I can easily transfer everything into my book

NAMING CONVENTIONS

In the professional theatre generally, there are conventions used to label cues. I like to call the whole department (ie. Lights 1, Sound A). 

Lights: LX, use numbers LX 1, LX 2

Sounds: SX or S, use letters after Z move to AA, AB…

MARKING CUES IN A SCRIPT

Every stage manager has a different way of marking cues in their script. The general idea is to have the name of the cue next to the place in the script the where it will be called. I like to use colored tabs to mark cues which helps me easily identify what I am about to call. 

You should also mark stand-by’s for each cue. As a convention, I like to mark them about half a page before they are called. 

me: i can’t right now, i’m scampering around the forest and storing acorns for the long winter ahead

girl: i’m off my period

me: 

Obtain sponge

Paint sponge

Bread