Citing movies in Chicago style requires specific formatting to give credit to all involved and ensure clarity for your readers. The core of a Chicago-style movie citation involves listing the title, key contributors (director, performers), production company, and year of release. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed explanation of how to properly cite movies using both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems, ensuring accuracy and adherence to Chicago Manual of Style guidelines.
Understanding the Chicago Citation Styles
The Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary citation methods: Notes-Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date. While both serve the same purpose – acknowledging sources – they differ in how citations are integrated within the text. The NB style utilizes footnotes or endnotes that correspond to superscript numbers in the text, followed by a bibliography at the end of the document. Author-Date, on the other hand, employs parenthetical in-text citations, referencing a “References” list at the end. The choice between the two often depends on the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or publisher. This guide will cover both formats for citing movies.
Notes-Bibliography Style
In the Notes-Bibliography style, a full citation appears in the first note, with subsequent references to the same movie using a shortened form. The bibliography provides a comprehensive listing of all sources used in the work.
First Note Citation
The format for a first note citation is as follows:
- Title, directed by Director’s Name (Production Company, Year).
Example:
- Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz (Warner Bros., 1942).
For a film with particular performers of note, you might include them after the director:
- Title, directed by Director’s Name, starring Lead Actor and Lead Actress (Production Company, Year).
Example:
- The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman (Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994).
Subsequent Note Citation
After the first full citation, subsequent notes can be shortened to:
- Director’s Last Name, Shortened Title.
Example:
- Curtiz, Casablanca.
Bibliography Entry
The bibliography entry is similar to the first note, but with some key differences in punctuation and order:
- Title. Directed by Director’s Name. Production Company, Year.
Example:
- Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros., 1942.
Author-Date Style
The Author-Date style uses parenthetical citations within the text, typically including the director’s last name and the year of release. A “References” list at the end of the document provides full details about each movie cited.
In-Text Citation
The basic format for an in-text citation is:
- (Director’s Last Name, Year)
Example:
(Curtiz, 1942)
If you need to be more specific, you can include a time stamp:
- (Curtiz, 1942, 00:35:10)
This indicates that the referenced material appears at 35 minutes and 10 seconds into the film.
References List Entry
The References list entry is formatted as follows:
- Director’s Last Name, First Name. Year. Title. Production Company.
Example:
- Curtiz, Michael. 1942. Casablanca. Warner Bros.
Citing Specific Elements Within a Film
Sometimes, you may need to cite a specific element within a film, such as a screenplay, a song, or a particular scene.
Citing a Screenplay
If you are citing a screenplay, the citation should reflect this:
- Notes-Bibliography: Writer’s Name, Screenplay Title (Year).
- Author-Date: (Writer’s Name, Year) in Film Title (Director’s Name, Year).
Citing a Song from a Film
If you are citing a song featured in a film:
- Notes-Bibliography: Composer’s Name, “Song Title,” in Film Title (Director’s Name, Year).
- Author-Date: (Composer’s Name, Year) in Film Title (Director’s Name, Year).
FAQs: Navigating the Nuances of Movie Citations
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify specific aspects of citing movies in Chicago style:
FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them all in the citation, separated by “and.” In both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date, the format remains consistent, crediting each director involved in the filmmaking process. For example: “Movie Title, directed by Director A and Director B…”.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a movie I watched online via a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime?
When citing a movie viewed on a streaming service, include the platform after the production company and year: “Title, directed by Director’s Name (Production Company, Year; Netflix).” This indicates where you accessed the film. You don’t typically need to include a URL unless the streaming service is obscure.
FAQ 3: What if a movie doesn’t have a director listed?
If a movie doesn’t have a credited director, use “directed by Anonymous” in your citation. This clearly indicates that the director’s identity is unknown.
FAQ 4: How specific should I be with the production company?
Be as specific as possible with the production company. If you know the specific studio (e.g., Warner Bros. Pictures instead of Warner Bros.), include that information. Accuracy is key to proper citation.
FAQ 5: Should I italicize the movie title?
Yes, in both the Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles, the movie title should always be italicized. This distinguishes it from other elements of the citation.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a commentary track from a DVD or Blu-ray?
Citing a commentary track requires acknowledging the commentator(s) and the film: “Commentator’s Name(s), commentary on Title, directed by Director’s Name (Production Company, Year).” Specify which commentary track if multiple exist.
FAQ 7: What if the movie is a documentary?
Documentaries are cited in the same way as fictional films, including the director, production company, and year. The format remains consistent regardless of genre.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a scene from a movie?
While referencing a specific scene directly in the citation isn’t standard, you can use a timestamp within the in-text citation (Author-Date style) to pinpoint the location of the scene, such as (Director’s Last Name, Year, 01:22:30). In Notes-Bibliography, you could elaborate on the scene in the note itself, after the citation.
FAQ 9: Do I need to include the country of origin for the movie?
Generally, you don’t need to include the country of origin unless it’s relevant to your analysis or the film is lesser-known. If included, add it after the production company, before the year: (Production Company, Country, Year).
FAQ 10: How do I handle foreign film titles in Chicago style?
If the film has a widely recognized English title, use that. If not, use the original title followed by an English translation in brackets if necessary. Indicate that it is the original title.
FAQ 11: What about citing a movie trailer?
Treat a movie trailer similarly to a movie itself, citing the director (if known) and the studio responsible for the trailer. Include “trailer” in the citation: “Title (trailer), directed by Director’s Name (Production Company, Year).” Specify the website where you accessed it if relevant (e.g., YouTube).
FAQ 12: How do I cite a movie review?
Citing a movie review follows standard Chicago style for journal articles or website content, depending on where the review was published. Credit the author, title of the review, publication, and date of publication. It’s a separate entity from the movie itself.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of citing movies in Chicago style enhances the credibility and professionalism of your academic work. By understanding the nuances of both the Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems, and by carefully considering the details of each film you cite, you can ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism. This comprehensive guide and the accompanying FAQs provide a solid foundation for confidently navigating the complexities of movie citations in Chicago style. Remember to always consult the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date guidelines.