It seems to me that there is at least one serious drawback to the '
base your
cue numbers on pages in the script' method. If you ever do a new
play that is under development rest assured that the
page numbers will change - scenes will be re-written and moved around,
etc. Seems to me that in that scenario using
page numbers would be a bad idea.
As to the OP question - I tend to take a sheet of yellow paper and , as I am watching the show, I write down what I want each
cue to accomplish, when it is,
etc. I put scene numbers in the list so I can keep
track of where I am. Then I simply number sequentially leaving a
block of cues where I know I need some room ( Like that big dance break which is not finished - or top of show preshow,
etc). Sometimes I use an excell spreadsheet instead of paper ( much better if I have time or will be seeing multiple run thrus ).
Then I sit with the SM and we go through the show. (
Paper Tech) I explain when the
cue is to be called, give a short description of what it is doing, and give the number I have assigned. The SM typically puts all of this info in the script, using some kind of sticky
tab or simply writing in the script.
As we go through rehearsals I add, remove, and refine placement of cues as needed.