Referencing a film in an essay using the MHRA (Modern Humanities Research Association) style guide demands meticulous attention to detail. The basic principle is to provide enough information so your reader can identify and locate the specific film you’re referencing, including its title, director, and year of release, while acknowledging its cinematic form.
Understanding the MHRA Style for Film References
The MHRA style guide, widely used in the humanities, provides a structured approach to referencing various sources, including films. Unlike some other citation styles, MHRA emphasizes clarity and consistency. Mastering the rules outlined in the guide ensures academic integrity and enhances the credibility of your work. When referencing a film, you need to clearly distinguish it from other types of sources, such as books or journal articles. Let’s delve into the specifics.
The Core Elements of a Film Reference in MHRA
An MHRA film reference typically includes the following elements, presented in a specific order:
- Title of the Film: Enclose the title in single quotation marks.
- Director: Use ‘dir.’ before the director’s name. For multiple directors, use ‘dirs.’
- Principal Performers (optional): You may include a short list of the main actors involved, separated by commas.
- Production Company: This information is less critical than other elements but can be useful, particularly for lesser-known films.
- Year of Release: This is a crucial identifier and should always be included.
- Place of Production (optional): Similar to the production company, this can provide context.
- Distributor (optional): Including the distributor may be helpful for tracking down a specific version of the film.
Example:
‘Citizen Kane’, dir. Orson Welles, perf. Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
In-Text Citations
Within the body of your essay, you’ll need to provide brief in-text citations that link back to the full reference in your bibliography. These citations usually consist of the director’s last name and the year of release, enclosed in parentheses.
Example:
(Welles, 1941)
If you mention the director’s name directly in the sentence, you only need to include the year in the citation.
Example:
As Welles (1941) explores…
Bibliography Entry
Your bibliography should list all the films you referenced in your essay in alphabetical order by the director’s last name. This is where the full citation is placed, providing all the necessary details for readers to locate the film.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Referencing Film in MHRA
Here are 12 FAQs addressing common challenges and questions related to referencing films in MHRA style:
FAQ 1: How do I reference a specific scene or moment in a film?
When referring to a specific scene, include the timestamp (hour:minute:second) after the year of release in your in-text citation.
Example:
(Welles, 1941, 00:15:30)
In the bibliography entry, you don’t need to specify the scene.
FAQ 2: What if a film has multiple directors?
Use ‘dirs.’ before listing all the directors, separated by commas.
Example:
‘Singin’ in the Rain’, dirs. Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952.
In the in-text citation, use the last name of the first director listed, followed by “et al.”
Example:
(Donen et al., 1952)
FAQ 3: How do I reference a film commentary or bonus material?
If you’re referencing a commentary track or other bonus material included on a film’s release, cite it separately. Treat the commentary track as a separate work, crediting the commentator(s). Include the title of the commentary (if applicable) and indicate that it is a commentary track.
Example:
Ford, John, commentary on ‘The Searchers’, Warner Home Video, 1956.
FAQ 4: What if I watched the film online through a streaming service?
If you watched the film on a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime, you generally don’t need to include that information in your main citation. The essential elements – title, director, year – remain the same. However, you might add a note indicating the platform if it’s particularly relevant to your analysis, but this is usually unnecessary.
FAQ 5: How do I handle foreign language films?
Provide the original title in your citation. If you’re citing a translated version, you can include the translated title in square brackets after the original title.
Example:
‘La Dolce Vita’ [‘The Sweet Life’], dir. Federico Fellini, Riama Film, 1960.
FAQ 6: Do I need to list all the actors in the film?
No, you only need to list the principal performers – the main actors or those most relevant to your analysis. Limit the list to a reasonable number (3-5).
FAQ 7: How do I cite a film if I only have access to a transcript?
If you’ve only used a film transcript, cite the transcript itself, if available. Include the title of the film, followed by ‘Transcript’, and then the usual details.
Example:
‘Pulp Fiction’, Transcript, dir. Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films, 1994.
If the transcript doesn’t provide all the information, cite the film and note that your analysis is based on a transcript.
FAQ 8: What if the film has been re-released in a different year?
Cite the original release year. If you are discussing aspects related to the re-release (e.g., a restored version with new features), you can mention the re-release year in your discussion, but the citation should always reflect the original release date.
FAQ 9: Where can I find the production company information?
The production company information is typically available in the film’s credits (usually at the beginning or end) or on online film databases like IMDb (Internet Movie Database).
FAQ 10: How do I format an in-text citation with multiple page or timestamp references?
For multiple, non-sequential timestamps, use commas to separate them. For a range of timestamps, use an en dash.
Example:
(Welles, 1941, 00:15:30, 00:20:45)
(Welles, 1941, 00:15:00–00:17:30)
FAQ 11: Is it necessary to italicize the film title?
No. MHRA style uses single quotation marks for film titles, not italics. This is a key distinction from other citation styles.
FAQ 12: What if the director is also the writer of the film?
You can include ‘written and dir.’ before the director’s name to acknowledge their dual role.
Example:
‘Annie Hall’, written and dir. Woody Allen, United Artists, 1977.
Conclusion
Mastering the MHRA style for film referencing ensures academic rigor and allows your readers to easily locate and verify your sources. By adhering to the guidelines outlined above and consulting the MHRA style guide directly, you can confidently integrate film analysis into your essays while maintaining scholarly integrity. Remember to be consistent in your application of the rules throughout your work.