Citing a movie scene in MLA style requires a nuanced approach, focusing on providing the necessary information for readers to locate the specific moment you’re referencing. The core principle involves citing the movie’s overall information first, followed by specific details like time stamps to pinpoint the scene within that film.
Why Accurate Citations Matter
Proper citation is paramount in academic writing for several reasons. First and foremost, it gives credit to the original creators of the film, acknowledging their artistic and intellectual contribution. Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, can have serious consequences. Secondly, citations allow readers to verify your sources and delve deeper into the subject matter themselves. Clear and precise citations ensure your arguments are credible and well-supported. Finally, adhering to MLA guidelines demonstrates your understanding of academic conventions and your commitment to scholarly integrity.
The Core Components of an MLA Movie Citation
An MLA citation for a movie, even when referencing a specific scene, typically includes the following elements:
- Title of the Movie: Capitalize the first letter of each main word.
- Director: Use “Directed by” followed by the director’s full name (e.g., Directed by Christopher Nolan).
- Other Significant Contributors (Optional): You can include actors, screenwriters, or composers if their contribution is particularly relevant to your analysis. Use phrases like “Performance by” or “Screenplay by.”
- Distributor: The name of the production or distribution company.
- Year of Release: The year the movie was released in theaters.
The Importance of Time Stamps
The key to citing a specific scene lies in including time stamps. These pinpoint the exact moment you are analyzing. Place the time stamp after the initial movie citation, separated by a comma and the word “at.” Indicate the hour, minute, and second (if necessary) of the scene’s start. For example, “00:25:17” means the scene starts at 25 minutes and 17 seconds into the film.
A Basic Citation Template
Here’s a basic template for citing a movie scene in MLA format:
*Title of the Movie*. Directed by Director's Name, Distributor, Year of Release, at Time Stamp.
Example:
Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Warner Bros., 1942, at 00:45:30.
Crafting Your In-Text Citation
The in-text citation, found within the body of your paper, directs readers to the full citation in your Works Cited list. For a movie scene, it typically includes the movie title (or a shortened version if it’s long) and the time stamp.
Examples of In-Text Citations
- ( Casablanca, 00:45:30)
- ( Dr. Strangelove, 01:12:00)
- ( The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 02:05:15)
FAQs: Deep Diving into Movie Scene Citations
Here are 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address more specific scenarios and nuances related to citing movie scenes in MLA format:
FAQ 1: How do I cite a movie scene if the director is unknown?
If the director’s name is unavailable, simply omit that part of the citation. Begin directly with the movie title.
Example:
The Birth of a Nation. David W. Griffith Corp., 1915, at 01:32:45.
FAQ 2: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them all, separated by commas, after “Directed by.”
Example:
Fantastic Mr. Fox. Directed by Wes Anderson and Henry Selick, 20th Century Fox, 2009, at 00:10:00.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a scene from a TV show or series?
Citing a TV show scene is slightly different. Include the episode title in quotation marks, the series title in italics, the season and episode number, the distributor, the year, and the time stamp.
Example:
“The Contest.” Seinfeld, season 4, episode 11, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1992, at 00:05:20.
FAQ 4: What if I only need to cite the movie as a whole, not a specific scene?
Omit the time stamp entirely. Simply provide the standard movie citation.
Example:
Pulp Fiction. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films, 1994.
FAQ 5: How do I handle a foreign film with a translated title?
Use the original title followed by the translated title in brackets.
Example:
Amélie [ Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain]. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, UGC, 2001, at 00:22:10.
FAQ 6: Can I use streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Hulu) as the distributor?
Yes, you can use the streaming service if that’s where you accessed the movie. However, if the original distributor is known, prioritize that.
Example:
Roma. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix, 2018, at 00:30:00.
FAQ 7: What if there are no discernible time stamps available?
In rare cases where reliable time stamps are unavailable (e.g., an old recording with no timer), provide as much information as possible, perhaps describing the scene briefly in the in-text citation if it’s distinctive. Avoid vague references like “the beginning of the film.”
Example:
Metropolis (the scene with the workers marching), UFA, 1927.
FAQ 8: How should I cite a movie scene if I’m quoting dialogue directly?
The citation remains the same, including the time stamp. If you’re frequently quoting multiple scenes, consider using more specific time ranges to avoid repetition.
Example:
The Graduate. Directed by Mike Nichols, Embassy Pictures, 1967, at 01:38:15. (In-text: The Graduate, 01:38:15)
FAQ 9: Do I need to include the format (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray) of the movie?
No, the format is generally not necessary in MLA format. Focus on the core information.
FAQ 10: What if I’m citing a movie from a film festival screening?
Cite the festival name and the year it was screened there, if known. If you only know the screening year and not the original release year, use that year.
Example:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Cannes Film Festival, 2019, at 00:55:00.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a commentary track alongside a movie scene?
Cite the movie as usual, then add “Commentary by [Commentator’s Name]” after the year. Include the time stamp for the commentary itself, if applicable.
Example:
Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941. Commentary by Roger Ebert.
FAQ 12: Is the “at” before the time stamp always necessary?
Yes, the “at” is a standard part of the MLA citation format for indicating the specific time within the movie. Do not omit it.
Final Thoughts: Precision and Clarity
Mastering the art of citing movie scenes in MLA format comes down to precision and clarity. By providing accurate and detailed information, you not only give credit where it’s due but also enhance the credibility and accessibility of your scholarly work. Adhering to these guidelines ensures your research is both ethically sound and academically rigorous.