Citing sources accurately is crucial for academic integrity, and movies are no exception. Proper MLA citation of a film ensures you give credit to the creators and allows your readers to find the film you referenced. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of how to master MLA movie citations, equipping you with the knowledge to accurately credit cinematic works in your research.
The Core of MLA Movie Citation
The fundamental principle behind MLA movie citation is to provide the essential details needed to identify the specific version of the film you used. This often means going beyond just the film title and including information about the director, performers, and distributors. The MLA style prioritizes a consistent format that makes information easily accessible to readers.
Deconstructing the Basic MLA Movie Citation Format
The most basic MLA citation format for a movie typically includes the following elements:
- Title of the Movie: Italics are used for the main title.
- Director: (Dir. First name Last name)
- Major Performers: List the actors whose performances are critical to your analysis.
- Distributor: The company that released the film.
- Year of Release: The theatrical release year.
Here’s the general template:
- Title of Movie. Dir. First name Last name. Performers: Actor 1, Actor 2. Distributor, Year.
Example:
- Citizen Kane. Dir. Orson Welles. Performers: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore. RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
Nuances and Variations in Movie Citation
While the basic format is straightforward, numerous factors can influence the specific details included in your citation. These include whether you accessed the film online, the role of the writer if discussing the screenplay, and more.
Citing a Specific Performance
Sometimes, your analysis focuses on a particular actor’s performance. In such cases, you can emphasize the actor in the citation.
Example:
- De Niro, Robert, performer. Taxi Driver. Dir. Martin Scorsese. Columbia Pictures, 1976.
Accessing Films Online
With the rise of streaming services, many films are accessed online. When citing a film accessed online, include the platform where you watched it.
Example:
- Parasite. Dir. Bong Joon-ho. Performers: Song Kang-ho, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam. Neon, 2019. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/81098705. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
Note: Including the URL is optional but helpful for readers. Remember to check the MLA guidelines for any changes.
Highlighting the Screenwriter
If your analysis centers on the screenplay, you can emphasize the writer in your citation.
Example:
- Kaufman, Charlie, writer. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Dir. Michel Gondry. Performers: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet. Focus Features, 2004.
Citing a Television Series Episode
Television series episodes have their own specific citation format. It’s essential to cite the episode title in quotation marks and the series title in italics.
Example:
- “Pilot.” The Office. Created by Greg Daniels, directed by Ken Kwapis, NBC, 24 Mar. 2005.
FAQs: Demystifying Movie Citations
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about citing movies in MLA format:
1. What if the movie has multiple directors?
If a film has multiple directors, list them in the order they are credited on the film. Separate their names with “and.”
- Finding Nemo. Dir. Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. Performers: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres. Walt Disney Pictures, 2003.
2. How do I cite a documentary film?
Documentary films are cited similarly to other movies, but you may want to include the name of the narrator or the subject if relevant to your analysis.
- Man with a Movie Camera. Dir. Dziga Vertov. Milestone Film & Video, 1929.
3. How many performers should I list?
Generally, list the actors whose performances are most relevant to your argument. Three is usually sufficient, but use your judgment based on the context of your analysis.
4. What if I don’t know the director’s name?
If the director’s name is unavailable, omit that portion of the citation. However, make every effort to find the information first.
- The Blair Witch Project. Performers: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard. Artisan Entertainment, 1999.
5. How do I cite a film that was originally released in a different year but I watched a later release?
Cite the year of the original theatrical release. You can add information about the version you viewed (e.g., “Director’s Cut”) after the title.
- Blade Runner: The Final Cut. Dir. Ridley Scott. Performers: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young. Warner Bros., 1982, 2007.
6. What do I do if the distributor is unknown?
If you can’t find the distributor, omit it. However, perform thorough research before making this decision.
7. How do I format the citation in the Works Cited page?
The citation should be double-spaced with a hanging indent. This means the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented half an inch.
8. How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite the film as usual, using the original title if that’s how you watched it. If you watched it with subtitles, you don’t need to specify that. If you watched a dubbed version, you can indicate this.
9. Is it necessary to include the running time of the movie?
No, the running time is not typically included in MLA movie citations.
10. How do I cite a film that I watched on DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format remains the same as for a regular movie, but you can optionally include the medium (DVD, Blu-ray) after the distributor and year.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Dir. Peter Jackson. Performers: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen. New Line Cinema, 2001. DVD.
11. Do I need to italicize the entire citation?
No, only the title of the movie should be italicized. All other elements, such as the director, performers, and distributor, remain in regular font.
12. What if I’m citing a scene from a movie rather than the entire film?
MLA recommends that you cite the entire film rather than specific scenes. Focus your analysis on broader themes and elements of the complete work. If citing a specific detail within a scene, the citation remains the same.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Movie Citation
By adhering to these guidelines and referencing the MLA Handbook when in doubt, you can confidently cite movies in your academic work. Remember to pay close attention to detail and prioritize accuracy in your citations. Accurate citations demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity and allow your readers to effectively engage with the sources that informed your research. Properly crediting the creative minds behind cinematic works is a cornerstone of scholarly communication, so mastering MLA movie citations is an invaluable skill for any student or researcher.