WHAT IS AN INVOICE?
An invoice is a bill for your acting services presented to whoever is paying you for the project you just worked on. You know what you need to see on a bill in order for you to pay it - the same information is needed to get you paid. Typically the invoice is a simple word doc that has the following information on it.

Who you are
A Unique Invoice Number (I use the last 2 Numbers from the year -001
and I count up for each different job. I Average 70 jobs each year
Your Social Security Number (Not always needed - ASK)
The Job you were on (TV Commercial for DragonukConnects.com)
What you did (Featured Extra, Principal Actor ETC)
The Company that shot the project (I put all known contact info )
The date In time/ out time worked and pay owed (If multiple days list separately) If different Locations list as well.
Examples:
06/02/12 from 8 AM to 5:30 PM $250 Fairfax VA
06/04/12 from 3 PM to 9 PM $250 Silver Spring MD
The total you are owed
TOTAL DUE $500
Where to send your check (To you or to your Agent)

I also have 2 statements that I add to the invoice when I think they are needed

I am due (As Payment) a copy of the finished Project or clips/photographs of my work on this project.

Neither the client Nor the Production Company/ Photographer is Authorized to use My Image or Voice recording until I am paid in full - Including a copy of my work If it was Offered as part of my Payment.




WHEN DO I NEED AN INVOICE??
To be Honest, I personally invoice EVERY JOB I DO - I just do not send all of them out. I Create the computer File, Add all e-mail to and from whoever I got the job from and save everything to a file folder of unpaid invoices. About 2 weeks after I deposit the check, I move the file to my paid Invoice file. No matter what unexpected problem comes up - I have the records.
I delete them about a year later if nothing comes up.

WHEN DO I NEED TO SEND THE INVOICE OUT?

If I filled out a Payroll form (It does not matter if it is for the Production Company/Photographer or a 3rd Party Company hired by them to process the payroll) I do not send the Invoice - Unless asked for one.

When I am working Freelance - I find out who is suppose to pay me and Invoice them. It could be an Agent or Casting Director or it could be the Production Company/Photographer I just worked for. I have also Invoiced the client themselves when appropriate.

To see a sample of the format I use for my Invoice go to http://www.dragonukconnects.com/uploads_jobpost/18000/17103/155.pdf

A DragonukConnects member Martha sent me the following wording that she uses on her Invoices.

This is fairly standard wording in the business world but I have never seen it used by Actors before.

I am thinking about adding it to mine but would say that each of you should think hard about using it

Best Brian

NET 30 DAYS. If payment isnot received with 30 days, 1.5% per month will be charged on the outstandingprincipal. Checks that arereturned for insufficient funds or are otherwise not good will incur thefollowing…client will be billed for the bank check return fee PLUS 20% of theface value of the check over and above the invoiced amount.