Movie citations in MLA format are crucial for maintaining academic integrity. This guide provides a comprehensive explanation of how to properly cite films within your papers, ensuring accuracy and adherence to MLA guidelines.
Understanding MLA Citation for Movies
When writing a research paper or academic essay that incorporates film, properly citing your sources is essential. The Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific guidelines for citing movies, which includes providing relevant information about the film in your Works Cited list and using in-text citations to connect specific content to the source. Failing to cite properly can lead to plagiarism, undermining the credibility of your work. The core principle is to give credit where credit is due, acknowledging the creative and intellectual labor involved in filmmaking.
Building Your Works Cited Entry
The Works Cited entry for a film in MLA format follows a specific structure. The basic format is:
Title of Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release.
Let’s break down each component:
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Title of Movie: Provide the full title of the movie. If the title begins with “A,” “An,” or “The,” include it. Italize the title. For example: The Shawshank Redemption.
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Directed by Director’s Name: List the director’s name in the form “Directed by First Name Last Name.” While multiple directors are possible, generally the primary or credited director is sufficient. For example: Directed by Frank Darabont.
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Production Company: This refers to the primary production company involved in the film’s creation. This information can usually be found on the film itself (opening or closing credits) or reliable online sources like IMDb. For example: Castle Rock Entertainment.
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Year of Release: Indicate the year the film was originally released in theaters. For example: 1994.
Putting it all together, a complete Works Cited entry might look like this:
The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994.
Citing Specific Versions or Formats
Sometimes, you might be citing a specific version of a film, such as a DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming service version. In these cases, you need to include additional information.
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Adding the Medium: After the year, add the medium of the film. For example: The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994. DVD.
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Adding Streaming Service: If you viewed the film on a streaming service, include the service name after the year and before the medium (if applicable). For example: The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994. Netflix.
Using In-Text Citations
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that point readers to the full entry in your Works Cited list. For films, the in-text citation typically includes the movie title (or a shortened version) and, if applicable, a specific time stamp or range.
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General Citation: When referring to the film generally, include the title of the film in parentheses after the relevant sentence. For example: ( The Shawshank Redemption)
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Specific Scene or Quote: When referring to a specific scene or quote, include a time stamp. For example: ( The Shawshank Redemption, 00:45:12-00:46:00). This indicates that the information is found between 45 minutes, 12 seconds, and 46 minutes into the film.
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Director’s Name in the Sentence: If you mention the director’s name in the sentence, you only need to include the year and time stamp (if applicable) in the in-text citation. For example: Darabont’s film showcases the resilience of the human spirit (The Shawshank Redemption, 1994).
Importance of Accuracy and Consistency
Adhering to MLA guidelines and ensuring accuracy in your citations is paramount for academic integrity. Maintain consistency throughout your paper, using the same citation style for all your sources. Remember to double-check your Works Cited entries and in-text citations to avoid errors. Using online citation generators can be helpful, but always verify the generated citation against the official MLA handbook to ensure accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Citing Movies in MLA
Here are twelve frequently asked questions, offering further clarification on specific scenarios you might encounter when citing movies in MLA format:
1. What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they are credited. Separate the names with “and.” For instance: Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski.
2. How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite a foreign film like any other film, but include the original title followed by the English translation in brackets, if applicable. For example: Amélie [Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain]. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, UGC Fox Distribution, 2001.
3. What if I am citing a specific actor’s performance?
If you are focusing on an actor’s performance, begin the entry with the actor’s name, followed by “Performer.” Then, list the movie title and other relevant details. For example: DiCaprio, Leonardo, Performer. The Wolf of Wall Street. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Paramount Pictures, 2013.
4. How do I cite a film series (e.g., the Harry Potter films)?
If you’re referring to the series as a whole, cite the specific film you are analyzing most closely. If you discuss several films from the series, you can generally refer to the series title in your text and then cite individual films as needed.
5. What if the movie’s title is very long?
In your in-text citations, you can use a shortened version of the title if it’s clear which film you’re referencing. For instance, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford could be shortened to (Jesse James).
6. Do I need to include the distributor instead of the production company?
While the production company is generally preferred, you can use the distributor if the production company is unknown or difficult to find. The most important thing is to be consistent and provide enough information for your reader to locate the source.
7. How do I cite a movie review?
Cite a movie review as you would any other article, including the author, title of the review, publication, and date. If the review is online, include the URL.
8. What if I want to cite an interview related to the movie?
Cite the interview as you would any other interview, including the interviewee, interviewer (if known), and publication details. Be sure to specify the connection to the film in your analysis.
9. What if I am citing a scene that exists only in the director’s cut?
If you’re citing a scene specific to a director’s cut, mention that in your citation. For example: Blade Runner: The Final Cut. Directed by Ridley Scott, Warner Bros., 2007. DVD. Include “Director’s Cut” in your in-text citations for that scene.
10. What if the movie has no discernible director?
In rare cases where a director is genuinely unknown or uncredited, use the term “Directed by Anonymous” in your Works Cited entry.
11. Should I include the country of origin for a film?
Including the country of origin is not typically required in MLA format, but it can be helpful for clarity, especially when discussing international cinema. You can include it after the production company and before the year of release.
12. What resources can I use to double-check my MLA citations?
The official MLA Handbook is the definitive resource for MLA citation guidelines. Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is also a valuable and reliable online resource. Always cross-reference your citations with these sources to ensure accuracy.
By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you can ensure that your movie citations in MLA format are accurate, complete, and contribute to the overall credibility of your academic work. Remember that consistent and accurate citation is key to avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the creators of the films you analyze.