The Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary methods for citing films: notes and bibliography (often preferred for humanities) and author-date (common in sciences). The method you choose dictates the specific formatting, but fundamentally, a Chicago-style film citation aims to provide clear and complete information enabling readers to locate the film being referenced.
Understanding the Chicago Citation Landscape for Films
Accurately citing films in Chicago style is essential for academic integrity and giving credit to the creative forces behind them. The Chicago Manual of Style, a cornerstone of scholarly publishing, offers precise guidelines, but the flexibility within the system can sometimes lead to confusion. This article breaks down the complexities, offering clear explanations and practical examples to ensure your film citations are impeccably formatted.
Navigating the Notes and Bibliography System
The notes and bibliography system is often favored in disciplines like literature, history, and film studies. It employs footnotes or endnotes to reference sources within the text and provides a comprehensive bibliography at the end of the document.
Footnote/Endnote Format
A complete footnote or endnote for a film should include the following elements:
- Title of the film (italicized)
- Director(s) (preceded by “Directed by”)
- Main cast members (optional, but recommended)
- Original release year
- Production company/distributor
- Medium (e.g., DVD, streaming)
Example:
- Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, 1942 (Warner Bros., DVD).
A subsequent footnote referring to the same film can be shortened:
Example:
- Casablanca.
Bibliography Entry Format
The bibliography entry provides a more detailed version of the information in the footnote. The order of elements is slightly different, and the entry ends with a period.
- Title of the film (italicized)
- Directed by [Director’s First Name] [Director’s Last Name]
- Original release year.
- Production company/distributor.
- Medium.
Example:
Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz. 1942. Warner Bros. DVD.
Mastering the Author-Date System
The author-date system, often used in the sciences and social sciences, prioritizes conciseness. It involves parenthetical citations in the text and a “References” list at the end of the document.
Parenthetical Citation Format
The parenthetical citation for a film typically includes the title of the film and the original release year.
Example:
( Casablanca 1942)
References List Entry Format
The references list entry is similar to the bibliography entry in the notes and bibliography system but includes more information.
- Director’s Last Name, Director’s First Name.
- Year of Release.
- Title of the Film.
- Production company/distributor.
Example:
Curtiz, Michael. 1942. Casablanca. Warner Bros.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Citing Films in Chicago Style
FAQ 1: What if a film has multiple directors?
List all directors, separated by “and.” In both the notes/bibliography and author-date systems, follow the same format.
Example (Notes/Bibliography):
Amélie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, 2001 (Miramax Films, DVD).
Example (Author-Date):
Jeunet, Jean-Pierre, and Marc Caro. 2001. Amélie. Miramax Films.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a film I watched on a streaming service?
Include the name of the streaming service after the production company/distributor, replacing “DVD” or other physical media.
Example (Notes/Bibliography):
Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, 2019 (Neon, Hulu).
Example (Author-Date):
Bong, Joon-ho. 2019. Parasite. Neon, Hulu.
FAQ 3: What if I don’t know the production company?
If the production company is unknown, simply omit that element from the citation. Focus on providing as much information as possible.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a specific scene from a film?
Chicago style generally discourages citing specific scenes within a film. Instead, focus on citing the film as a whole. If a specific scene is crucial, you can mention it in your text and provide a general citation to the film. If you must cite the scene precisely, you can include a timestamp in your note, but this is not a standard Chicago practice.
FAQ 5: Do I need to include the actors in the citation?
Including the main cast members is optional in the notes and bibliography system but recommended. They are not typically included in the author-date system unless particularly relevant to your argument.
FAQ 6: How do I handle foreign films with titles in a different language?
Use the original title of the film. If the English translation is relevant, you can provide it in parentheses after the original title.
Example (Notes/Bibliography):
La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), directed by Federico Fellini, 1960 (Riama Film, DVD).
FAQ 7: What if I am citing a film based on a book?
You can mention the source material in your discussion of the film, but the citation should still focus on the film itself. You can add “Based on the novel by [Author’s Name]” to the note if deemed necessary.
FAQ 8: What if the director is also the screenwriter?
You would still list them as the director. You can mention their role as screenwriter in your text if relevant, but it doesn’t need to be included in the citation itself.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a film series (e.g., Star Wars)?
Cite the specific film within the series that you are referencing. Do not cite the entire series as a single unit.
FAQ 10: Is the formatting of the bibliography entry different than the footnote?
Yes, the format is slightly different. In the bibliography, the director’s name is inverted (Last Name, First Name), and the title is followed by a period instead of a comma. Also, the year of release immediately follows the director’s name.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a documentary film?
The same rules apply to documentary films as to fictional films. Include the title, director, year of release, production company/distributor, and medium.
FAQ 12: What if I am citing a film review instead of the film itself?
You would cite the film review as you would any other article, following the appropriate Chicago style guidelines for citing journal articles or online publications. The film being reviewed would be mentioned within the review citation.
Conclusion
Mastering Chicago-style film citations requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of the chosen system (notes and bibliography or author-date). By carefully following the guidelines and addressing common questions, you can ensure that your film citations are accurate, comprehensive, and contribute to the overall credibility of your work. Remember to consistently apply the chosen method throughout your writing for a professional and polished result.