Citing a movie on a Works Cited page requires meticulously recording the key elements of the film, ensuring readers can easily locate the source you referenced. This guide provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of how to correctly format movie citations across different citation styles, focusing primarily on MLA, APA, and Chicago.
Understanding Citation Styles for Movies
The cornerstone of academic writing lies in providing proper attribution to the sources that inform your work. When referencing a movie, this means crafting a precise and accurate citation that aligns with the specific style guidelines mandated by your instructor or the publication you’re writing for. Three citation styles dominate the academic landscape: Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago Manual of Style. While they share the core principle of source attribution, their formatting conventions differ significantly. Mastering these nuances is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.
MLA Citation for a Movie
Essential Elements for MLA
MLA (Modern Language Association) style emphasizes the author’s name and the work’s title. In the context of film, the “author” is typically the director. Here’s the general structure:
Director, Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Movie. Production Company, Year of Release.
Example MLA Citation
Say you want to cite the film Parasite:
Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite. Neon, 2019.
Key Considerations for MLA Movie Citations
- Director as Author: Always begin with the director’s name, followed by “director.”
- Title Emphasis: The title of the movie should be italicized.
- Production Company: Include the primary production company, as this helps with identification.
- Year of Release: Provide the year the film was released theatrically.
- Multiple Directors: If a film has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the film’s credits, separated by “and.”
APA Citation for a Movie
Essential Elements for APA
APA (American Psychological Association) style prioritizes the author’s name, year of publication, and title. Again, the director is typically considered the “author.”
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie [Motion picture]. Production Company.
Example APA Citation
For Parasite, the APA citation would look like this:
Bong, J. (Director). (2019). Parasite [Motion picture]. Neon.
Key Considerations for APA Movie Citations
- Director Designation: Append “(Director)” after the director’s name.
- Publication Year: The year of release is placed immediately after the director’s name.
- Medium Designation: Include “[Motion picture]” in square brackets after the title to specify the type of work.
- Production Company: The production company is listed after the medium designation.
- Retrieval Information: APA generally doesn’t require URL or database information for films unless you accessed the film through a specific streaming service. In that case, you would add “Retrieved from [Streaming Service URL]” after the production company.
Chicago Citation for a Movie
Essential Elements for Chicago
Chicago style offers two options: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date. We’ll focus on the Notes-Bibliography style here. This style prioritizes thoroughness.
Director, First Name Last Name, dir. Title of Movie. Place of Publication: Production Company, Year of Release.
Example Chicago Citation
Citing Parasite in Chicago style:
Joon-ho Bong, dir. Parasite. Los Angeles: Neon, 2019.
Key Considerations for Chicago Movie Citations
- Full Name of Director: Use the full first name and last name of the director.
- Director Abbreviation: “dir.” is used as an abbreviation for director.
- Place of Publication: While less common for films, include the place of publication if known (often the location of the production company’s headquarters).
- Full Production Company Name: Use the full name of the production company.
- Subsequent Citations: For subsequent citations within footnotes or endnotes, a shortened version can be used (e.g., Bong, Parasite).
General Guidelines for Movie Citations
Regardless of the citation style you’re using, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind:
- Accuracy is Paramount: Double-check all information, including names, titles, and dates.
- Consult the Style Guide: Always refer to the official style guide (MLA Handbook, APA Publication Manual, Chicago Manual of Style) for the most up-to-date guidelines and specific examples.
- Consistency is Key: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your Works Cited page or bibliography.
- Adapt as Needed: If your source is an online stream, consider adding the streaming service name and URL if the citation style requires it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What if a movie has multiple directors? How do I list them in the citation?
List multiple directors in the order they appear in the film’s credits. Separate their names with “and” in MLA and APA. In Chicago, use “and” followed by “dirs.” after the final director’s name.
2. What if I watched the movie on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu? Do I need to include that information in the citation?
APA and MLA now recommend including the streaming service if that’s how you accessed the film. Add it after the production company followed by the URL. Chicago generally doesn’t require it. For example, in MLA:
Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite. Neon, Netflix, 2019, netflix.com/title/81234567.
3. What if I want to emphasize a specific actor’s performance in the movie? Can I cite them instead of the director?
While the director is generally considered the “author,” you can emphasize an actor’s performance by mentioning them in your text. However, the Works Cited entry should still cite the director. You can then discuss the actor’s performance and reference the director’s citation in your parenthetical citation or footnote.
4. How do I cite a specific scene or moment from a movie?
In your in-text citation or footnote, provide a timestamp indicating the scene’s starting point. For example, in MLA: (Bong, 00:25:10-00:27:30).
5. What if I’m analyzing the screenplay of a movie instead of the actual film? How do I cite that?
Cite the screenplay as you would a book, emphasizing the screenwriter(s). For example, in MLA:
Hitchcock, Alfred, and Alma Reville. The 39 Steps. Faber and Faber, 1939.
6. How do I cite a documentary film differently from a fictional film?
The citation format remains largely the same. The director is still typically considered the author. However, documentaries often have more complex production credits. Prioritize identifying the primary director or directing team.
7. What if I only watched a trailer for the movie? Can I cite that?
Yes, you can cite a trailer. Treat it like a short film and include “Trailer” in square brackets after the title, especially in APA style. Include the platform where you viewed the trailer (e.g., YouTube) and the URL.
8. What if I’m citing a movie that’s part of a larger series (e.g., a Marvel movie)? Do I need to include the series title?
Yes, include the series title. In MLA, place the series title after the movie title, separated by a comma. For example:
Russo, Anthony, and Joe Russo, directors. Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Walt Disney Studios, 2019.
9. Is it okay to use citation generators?
While citation generators can be helpful tools, always double-check the generated citation against the official style guide. Citation generators are prone to errors and inconsistencies. Relying solely on them can lead to inaccurate citations and potential plagiarism issues.
10. What if the production company is not easily found?
Do your best to research the production company. Check the movie’s opening or closing credits, film databases like IMDb (Internet Movie Database), or the movie’s official website. If you genuinely cannot find the production company, omit it from the citation.
11. How do I handle foreign film titles that have been translated?
Use the English translation of the title, but include the original title in parentheses after the translated title. For example, in MLA:
Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite (Gisaengchung). Neon, 2019.
12. What is the purpose of citing sources in academic writing, especially movies?
Citing sources, including movies, serves several crucial purposes:
- Giving Credit: It acknowledges the intellectual property of the creators.
- Avoiding Plagiarism: It prevents the unintentional or intentional presentation of someone else’s work as your own.
- Enhancing Credibility: It demonstrates that your work is based on thorough research and reliable sources.
- Enabling Verification: It allows readers to locate your sources and verify your claims.
- Supporting Arguments: It strengthens your arguments by providing evidence from credible sources.
By mastering the art of citing movies correctly, you contribute to the integrity of academic discourse and demonstrate your commitment to scholarly standards. Remember to consult the specific style guide required for your assignment or publication, and always prioritize accuracy and consistency in your citations.