# Abby Singer shot

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/abby-singer
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Spencer Kaufman, Storiara

> The Abby Singer shot is the second-to-last shot of a shoot day, or of the work at a location before a move. It is named for Abner 'Abby' Singer, an assistant director and production manager who announced it to give crews advance notice to start packing up.

## Where the name comes from

Abner E. "Abby" Singer worked as an assistant director and production manager from the 1950s through the 1980s. According to his Wikipedia entry, he would say, "Fellas, we'll do this and one more and then we're moving," giving departments a head start on breaking down. The name stuck to the second-to-last shot ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Singer)).

## Why ADs still call it

The Abby Singer is a scheduling tool. On a day with a [company move](https://storiara.com/glossary/company-move) after lunch, departments that won't be needed for the final setup can start wrapping and loading while the last two shots are done. If grip knows the dolly track won't be used on the martini, they can pull it during the Abby Singer and have the truck moving sooner.

Here's a fictional day with a move. Scene 14 at the diner has four setups (A through D). Setups C and D are a two-shot and a close-up from the same side, with no dolly.

| Setup | Description | Called as | What departments start |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 14B | Dolly in on Rosie | | |
| 14C | Two-shot, static | Abby Singer | Grip pulls dolly track; art starts wrapping the kitchen |
| 14D | Maya close-up | "Last shot here" | Electric strikes lights not in frame; transpo stages trucks |
| MOVE | Company move to garage | | |

At end of day, the order is the same with the [martini shot](https://storiara.com/glossary/martini-shot) in place of "last shot here", followed by [wrap](https://storiara.com/glossary/wrap).

## How it's announced

The [1st AD](https://storiara.com/roles/first-assistant-director) says it on set and on the walkie: "Next shot is the Abby Singer, 14C, two-shot. Abby Singer, everybody." Some ADs just say "The Abby" or "Abby's up next." The 2nd AD then starts on cast release times and checks whether anyone needs to be at the next location early.

## When people get it wrong

Calling it too early is the usual problem. If the AD calls the Abby Singer and the director then adds two more setups, departments that started breaking down have to bring gear back, which costs more time than calling it late would have. The AD should confirm the last two setups with the director and DP before announcing.

The other mistake is confusing it with the martini. The Abby Singer comes first, then the martini. On a split location, it's also easy to forget that "last shot here" before a move isn't a martini, because the day continues at the next set.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who was Abby Singer?

Abner E. 'Abby' Singer (1917 to 2014) was an American assistant director and production manager who worked from the 1950s into the 1980s. He's credited with the practice of warning crews that the next shot would be the last before a move or wrap.

### What comes after the Abby Singer?

The martini shot, which is the last shot of the day. After the martini, the 1st AD calls wrap.

### Do you call an Abby Singer before a company move?

Yes. Singer's original use was before moves, so departments could start loading trucks and get to the next location faster. Many ADs still call it before a move as well as before wrap.

## Sources

- [Abby Singer (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Singer)