Referencing a movie in APA (American Psychological Association) style requires a specific format to accurately credit the creators and ensure academic integrity. The core of an APA movie citation includes the director(s), year of release, title, production company, and format. The in-text citation typically includes the director’s last name and the year of release.
Understanding the Core Elements of an APA Movie Citation
Creating a correct citation for a movie in APA style requires understanding its constituent parts. These elements, when combined correctly, provide a complete and verifiable reference for your readers. The key components include:
- Director(s): The individual or individuals primarily responsible for the film’s direction.
- Year of Release: The year the movie was first publicly released.
- Title: The full and exact title of the film, italicized.
- Production Company: The primary company responsible for producing and distributing the movie.
- Format: Indicates the medium through which the movie was accessed (e.g., Film, DVD, Streaming Video).
Crafting the Reference List Entry
The reference list entry is the complete citation found at the end of your paper. It follows a specific structure:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie. [Format]. Production Company.
For example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. [Film]. Universal Pictures.
Let’s break down this example further:
- Spielberg, S. (Director): The director’s last name, followed by a comma and their initials. The label “(Director)” clarifies their role.
- (1993): The year the movie was released, enclosed in parentheses.
- Jurassic Park: The movie’s full title, italicized.
- [Film]: The format in square brackets. In this case, because it’s generally considered a “film” since it was initially released in theaters. For a DVD, use [DVD]. For a streaming service, use [Streaming video].
- Universal Pictures: The production company that distributed the film.
In-Text Citations: Short and Sweet
In-text citations are brief references placed within the body of your paper to acknowledge the source of information. For movies, the in-text citation generally includes the director’s last name and the year of release.
- Parenthetical Citation: (Spielberg, 1993)
- Narrative Citation: Spielberg (1993) argued that…
Navigating Complex Scenarios: Beyond the Basics
While the basic format is straightforward, certain situations require additional considerations. Let’s explore some common complexities.
Multiple Directors
If a movie has multiple directors, list all of them, separated by commas, before the (Director) label.
Coen, J., & Coen, E. (Directors). (1998). The Big Lebowski. [Film]. Gramercy Pictures.
In-text citation: (Coen & Coen, 1998)
Referencing a Specific Scene
APA does not have a standardized way to cite specific scenes. However, you can provide enough information in the text to clearly identify the scene you are referencing. For example:
“During the tense kitchen scene (Spielberg, 1993) when the raptors are hunting the children…”
Movies from Streaming Services
When citing a movie from a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime, the format is similar, but you indicate “[Streaming video]” for the format and can optionally include the platform.
Scorsese, M. (Director). (2019). The Irishman. [Streaming video]. Netflix.
In-text citation: (Scorsese, 2019)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Citing Movies in APA
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of citing movies in APA:
FAQ 1: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, you can begin the citation with the title of the movie.
Title of movie. (Year). [Format]. Production Company.
In-text citation: (Title of movie, Year)
FAQ 2: Should I include the country of origin?
No, the country of origin is not typically included in an APA movie citation. The production company is sufficient.
FAQ 3: What if the movie has both a director and a producer?
APA emphasizes the role of the director. You generally only cite the director(s). If you need to emphasize the producer’s role, you can mention them in the text.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a documentary film?
The citation format is the same as for a regular movie, but you should still list the director, not the narrator.
Smith, K. (Director). (2009). Capitalism: A Love Story. [Film]. Overture Films.
FAQ 5: What about citing a movie I watched on TV?
The format remains the same; indicate the format as [Film] unless you specifically know it was a broadcast version, in which case, include the broadcasting company after the [Film] notation. If recorded from TV, indicate recorded broadcast.
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. [Recorded broadcast film]. NBC.
FAQ 6: What if the production company is also the distributor?
If the production company is also the distributor, you only need to list the company once.
FAQ 7: Can I use “n.d.” for “no date” if I can’t find the release year?
No. Thoroughly attempt to find the release year using online databases like IMDb or Wikipedia. APA doesn’t typically use “n.d.” for films. Give your best approximation if all attempts fail.
FAQ 8: What if the movie is based on a book?
Cite the movie, not the book it’s based on, unless you are specifically discussing the book. If you are discussing both, cite them separately. In the paper’s text, it would be appropriate to mention it is “based on the book by…”
FAQ 9: Should I include the runtime of the movie in the citation?
No, the runtime is not typically included in an APA movie citation.
FAQ 10: How specific do I need to be about the streaming service?
While optional, including the streaming service provides additional context. If the movie is widely available on multiple platforms, you might omit the specific platform. If it’s exclusive to one platform, including it is helpful.
FAQ 11: Do I italicize foreign film titles?
Yes, italicize the title of the movie, regardless of the language. If you are providing a translated title in your text, place the translated title in square brackets after the original title.
FAQ 12: Is there a difference in citing a silent film?
The citation format remains the same. Just use the appropriate format, which would usually be [Film].
By carefully following these guidelines and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can ensure accurate and compliant APA citations for movies in your academic work, thus upholding scholarly standards and giving due credit to the creative forces behind the films you analyze.