Last Updated 3 days ago
Definition
The Abby Singer shot is crew slang for the second-to-last shot of the shooting day. It is named after assistant director and production manager Abby Singer, whose advance warning helped departments prepare for the next move or wrap. In practice, “shot” often means the remaining camera setup, which may still require several takes.
By announcing the Abby Singer, the Assistant Director helps departments prepare for wrap-out while maintaining efficiency and morale.
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Origin of the Term
The phrase is named after Abby Singer, an assistant director and production manager whose career spanned features and television. The Directors Guild of America’s tribute identifies the “Abby Singer shot” as the next-to-last shot of the day.
- The Habit: Singer would warn crews of the “next-to-last shot” so that grips, electrics, and camera assistants could begin packing gear or arranging for a company move while the final setups were still being filmed.
- Practical Purpose: Early television shows often had multiple company moves in a single day. Knowing they were on the second-to-last setup gave crews a valuable head start.
- Legacy: Singer’s time-saving practice became standard industry language, cementing the “Abby Singer Shot” as part of film set vocabulary worldwide.
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Related Terms
- Martini Shot Final shot of the day.
- Assistant Director (AD) The department responsible for scheduling and communication.
- Working as a 1st Assistant Director
- Working as a 2nd Assistant Director
- Company Move When production shifts location during the same day.