In APA format, you write a movie title as you would a book title: capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or em dash, and any proper nouns. The entire title is then italicized.
The Core Principles of APA Style for Film Titles
Adhering to the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines is crucial for academic and professional writing, ensuring clarity, consistency, and proper attribution. When referencing films in your work, accurately formatting the title is paramount. This section clarifies the foundational rules governing movie titles in APA format.
Initial Capitalization and Italicization
The defining characteristic of APA formatting for film titles is a blend of specific capitalization rules and the consistent use of italics. Unlike some other citation styles that capitalize most words in a title, APA prioritizes a more minimalist approach.
- Capitalize: The first word of the title, the first word after a colon or em dash (if present), and all proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations, etc.).
- Do Not Capitalize: Articles (a, an, the), prepositions (of, in, to, for, etc.), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) unless they appear at the beginning of the title or after a colon/em dash.
Crucially, the entire title, including any subtitles, must be italicized. This distinguishes the film title from the surrounding text and signals its status as a complete work.
Examples for Clarity
Consider these examples to solidify your understanding:
- Correct: The Godfather
- Correct: Parasite
- Correct: The Shawshank Redemption
- Correct: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- Correct: Gone with the Wind
Notice how “the” is capitalized in “The Godfather” because it’s the first word. Similarly, “A” is capitalized in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” because it follows a colon.
Integrating the Title into Your Text
Once you’ve mastered the basic formatting, you need to smoothly integrate the movie title into your sentences. Pay attention to punctuation and context to ensure your writing remains clear and coherent.
Example: In The Social Network, the rise of Facebook is explored.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Movie Titles in APA
Here are some common questions that arise when formatting movie titles in APA style, along with concise and helpful answers.
FAQ 1: What if a movie title starts with a number?
- Answer: Capitalize the number as you would any other first word in the title. Italicize the entire title, including the number. Example: 2001: A Space Odyssey.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a specific scene from a movie?
- Answer: APA primarily focuses on citing the entire film. Citing specific scenes isn’t explicitly covered in the APA manual. However, you can describe the scene clearly in your writing and provide the film’s overall citation. For example: “The famous shower scene in Psycho (Hitchcock, 1960) is a masterclass in suspense.” Then, include the full film citation in your reference list.
FAQ 3: What if the movie title is in a foreign language?
- Answer: If the movie is widely known by its English title, use the English title and italicize it. If you are using the original foreign title, italicize it and include an English translation in square brackets, if available. Example: Amélie (French title) or Das Boot [The Boat] (German title).
FAQ 4: Should I italicize the word “film” or “movie” when referring to it?
- Answer: No, do not italicize the words “film” or “movie” themselves. Only italicize the title of the specific film. Example: The film Citizen Kane is considered a cinematic masterpiece.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a film within a film (e.g., a character watching a movie)?
- Answer: Cite the film within the film as you would normally, italicizing the title. Example: The characters in Pulp Fiction watch The Story of Us.
FAQ 6: Is there a difference in formatting for DVD titles versus theatrical releases?
- Answer: No, the formatting is the same for both. You would italicize the title regardless of whether you watched it on DVD, streaming service, or in a movie theater.
FAQ 7: What if the movie title contains acronyms or initialisms?
- Answer: Follow the capitalization rules for the acronym or initialism itself. Italicize the entire title. Example: MASH*
FAQ 8: How do I cite a documentary film?
- Answer: Documentary films are treated the same as fictional films. Capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon/em dash, and proper nouns. Italicize the entire title.
FAQ 9: What about television series? Are they formatted the same way as movies?
- Answer: Television series titles are also italicized, but episode titles are placed in quotation marks. For example: In the Game of Thrones episode, “The Rains of Castamere,” many fan-favorite characters met their demise.
FAQ 10: Do I need to include the director’s name in the citation every time I mention the movie in the text?
- Answer: Not every time. The first time you mention the movie, you can include the director’s name in parentheses (e.g., (Hitchcock, 1960)). Subsequent mentions can simply refer to the film by its title. The director and release year will be fully detailed in the reference list entry.
FAQ 11: Where does the year of release go in the in-text citation?
- Answer: The year of release is placed in parentheses after the director’s name, if you choose to include it. Otherwise, it’s only included in the reference list entry. Example: (Spielberg, 1993) or Jurassic Park (Spielberg, 1993).
FAQ 12: What if a movie has a very long subtitle?
- Answer: Include the entire subtitle in your citation. Italicize it and follow the capitalization rules as described above. Long subtitles can sometimes seem cumbersome, but omitting portions could alter the meaning or be considered inaccurate.
Building the Complete Reference Entry
While the in-text citation focuses on the title, a comprehensive reference list entry is essential for complete and accurate attribution. The basic format for a film in the reference list is as follows:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie [Motion picture]. Production Company.
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Motion picture]. Universal Pictures.
Key elements to remember:
- List the director(s) first.
- Include the year of release in parentheses.
- Indicate that it’s a “Motion picture” in square brackets.
- List the production company or distributor.
By mastering both in-text citation and the complete reference entry, you demonstrate a thorough understanding of APA formatting and ensure the integrity of your academic or professional writing. Consistent and accurate citation practices are a hallmark of scholarly work and contribute to the credibility of your research.