View Full Version : Director/Production Manager Abby Singer 1917-2014


Zoneboy
03-13-2014, 03:55 PM
Link (http://www.chron.com/news/article/Film-set-legend-Abby-Singer-dies-in-California-5314854.php)

Abby Singer, a film set legend whose name became synonymous for the next-to-last shot, has died. He was 96.

The Harlem-born Abner E. Singer was a longtime production manager and assistant director who worked primarily in television from the 1950s through the '90s. He became famous for his efficient habit of preparing a crew of an impending move to the next scene by calling out the second-to-last shot.

Since the late '50s, it's been routine on sets for the penultimate shot of the day to be announced as "the Abby Singer" or "the Abby."

His daughter, Jo Anne Singer, confirmed Singer died Thursday in Los Angeles.

Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay says Singer "may have been the inspiration for the second-to-last shot, but today, Abby is first in our hearts."

bmasters9
03-13-2014, 04:17 PM
Here's Abby's EICOP credit from the closing credits of St. Elsewhere in season 1 (this from the DVD release):

Dr. Jazz
03-14-2014, 11:45 PM
Also, the next-to-last episode of St. Elsewhere was titled "The Abby Singer Show"

bmasters9
03-15-2014, 05:12 AM
That next-to-last St. Elsewhere was well-named, because Abby lent his name to the next-to-last shot of a shooting day (the last one being known as the "martini").

Also, here's another EICOP credit of his, from Hill Street Blues in #2 (also from DVD).

Marvo301
03-15-2014, 03:05 PM
:rip: Abby Singer