The Black and Blue

Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Menu
  • 
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Free Ebook
  • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Behind the Lens
    • Camera Assisting
    • Cameras
    • Getting Work
    • Industry News
    • Miscellaneous Tips
    • Production Stories
    • Toolkit
    • Website
  • About The Black and Blue
  • Contact Us
  • Sponsorship
  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • 
  • R
  • 
  • ˆ
  • ‰

Quick Tip: Using Sharpie on a Slate and Erasing It

Here's a quick tip another camera assistant taught me: if you're in a hurry to write on the slate and can't find a dry erase marker, use a Sharpie. It's supposed to be permanent but there is a way to erase it completely off the slate without having to worry about leaving any sort of residue...

by Evan Luzi | Camera Assisting | October 28, 2010 | Comments: 11

The trick is to retrace in dry erase marker what was just written using the Sharpie and then erase it away. I’m not sure the science behind it all, but as long as you cover the permanent marker writings with the dry erase’s ink, it will be erasable. Here’s a video below I made proving it:

The only reason the slate appears dirty afterward is that the eraser tip on my marker was a bit  dirty already! As you can see, the permanent marker won’t erase on it’s own, but combined with the dry erase it easily wicks away. Next time you can’t find a dry erase or it’s running low on ink, a Sharpie can do the trick temporarily.

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

  • Follow Evan on Instagram
  • zVisit Evan’s website

Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Support The Black and Blue

We've been helping ACs and camera crews navigate the film industry for over a decade. If this article helped you or you enjoyed it, tossing in a few bucks genuinely helps keep the site going:

Support TBAB

Read Next

Five Tips for Holding the Slate Properly When Marking a Shot

Quick Tip: Slating in Frame Every Time

One of the major responsibilities of a 2nd assistant camera (2nd AC or clapper/loader) is to maintain and operate the slate. There is a subtle art to the slate that has been perfected by many across the world and a large part of the craft is making sure the slate is in frame for the editors to see.

  • Tookit DIY: How to Build a Tag Board for a Slate/Clapperboard
  • The Art of Pulling Focus (Video from FreshDV)
  • The Subtleties of the Slate Video
  • A Salute to 2nd AC's Everywhere (Video)
The Ultimate Guide to a Camera Assistant's Toolkit

The Ultimate Guide to a Camera Assistant's Toolkit

Every camera assistant will have different tools depending on how they work. That’s why it’s important to peak into what other camera assistants have to offer. So I’m going to show you what I have in my toolkit today and also give you advice on what I think you should have in yours.

  • Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 1): What to Write on a Clapperboard
  • Film Set Lingo: Camera Department Terms - Part 2
  • 2 Easy to Use Camera Report Templates
  • Slating the Alphabet from Apple to X-Ray

Does anybody who's not a Netflix or WB executive want this deal to happen?

  • We AC's Are a Short People
  • Version 5.0 of The Black and Blue is Live!
  • Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better
  • 'The Gift of Room Tone' featuring Martin Scorsese, Roger Deakins, Cristopher Walken, and More
Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

Sign up now to get your free copy and exclusive tips from The Black and Blue.

Get Your Free Copy
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Credits
  • Contact

Copyright © 2026 The Black and Blue, LLC