In APA 7th edition, citing a movie requires specific elements to accurately attribute the work to its creators. The core format includes the director(s), year of release, title, production company, and format (e.g., Film). This guide provides a detailed explanation and examples to ensure your citations are correct and comprehensive.
The Core Elements of an APA 7 Movie Citation
The APA (American Psychological Association) style emphasizes clarity and consistency in academic writing. Citing a movie correctly acknowledges the creators’ contributions and allows readers to easily locate the source. The 7th edition of the APA style guide outlines a precise format for film citations. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:
- Director(s): Begin with the director’s last name, followed by their initials. If there are multiple directors, list them in the order they appear on the film. Use an ampersand (&) before the last director’s name.
- Year of Release: Include the year the movie was released in parentheses.
- Title of the Movie: Italicize the title of the movie. Capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or dash, and proper nouns.
- Production Company: Provide the name of the production company that released the movie.
- Format: Specify the format in square brackets. Common formats include [Film], [DVD], or [Streaming video].
Example:
Singleton, J. (1991). Boyz n the hood. Columbia Pictures. [Film].
This example demonstrates the core components in action, allowing readers to quickly grasp the required formatting.
Assembling Your APA 7 Movie Citation
Now that we’ve identified the core elements, let’s explore how to put them together into a complete citation. The order is crucial for maintaining consistency and adhering to APA standards.
Here’s the general template:
Director, A. A. (Year). Title of movie. Production Company. [Format].
Applying this template to different scenarios, such as multiple directors or streaming services, will be covered in the FAQs. For now, let’s emphasize the importance of accuracy. Double-check the director’s name, the release year, and the production company against reliable sources, like IMDb or the movie’s credits. Small errors can undermine your credibility.
In-Text Citations for Movies
In addition to the reference list entry, you’ll need to cite the movie within the text of your paper. This is done using the author-date format.
- Narrative Citation: In a narrative citation, the director’s name is integrated into the sentence. For example: “Singleton (1991) explored themes of…”
- Parenthetical Citation: In a parenthetical citation, the director’s name and year are included in parentheses. For example: “(Singleton, 1991).”
Direct Quotes from a Movie: APA generally discourages direct quotes from film. If absolutely necessary, include the director and year, but omit a page number. Since film scenes are rarely numbered, providing a precise location for a quote is usually impossible. Instead, describe the scene context.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions about citing movies in APA 7th edition, along with detailed answers:
How do I cite a movie with multiple directors?
List the directors in the order they appear in the film’s credits, separated by commas. Use an ampersand (&) before the last director’s name. For example:
Nolan, C., & Thomas, J. (2008). The dark knight. Warner Bros. [Film].
How do I cite a movie I watched on a streaming service (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime)?
Include the streaming service in the source element, replacing the production company. For example:
Scorsese, M. (2019). The Irishman. Netflix. [Streaming video].
What if the director is unknown?
While rare, if the director is truly unknown, use the production company as the “author.”
Warner Bros. (2008). The dark knight. Warner Bros. [Film].
How do I cite a movie that is part of a series?
Cite the specific movie you watched, not the entire series. The citation format remains the same.
How do I cite a specific scene from a movie?
APA 7th edition does not have a specific format for citing individual scenes. Instead, describe the scene within your writing and cite the film as a whole. Avoid direct quotations whenever possible.
How do I cite a documentary film?
The citation format for a documentary film is the same as for a fictional film. Identify the director(s), year, title, production company, and format.
What if the movie has both directors and producers?
Focus on citing the director(s). Producers are not typically included in the citation.
How do I cite a movie that was originally released in a different year than the version I watched?
Cite the year of the version you watched. If relevant, mention the original release year in your discussion.
How do I cite bonus features or commentary tracks from a DVD?
If you are specifically citing the bonus feature or commentary, treat it as a separate work within the larger film. Provide the name of the person providing the commentary, the year of the DVD release, the title of the commentary (if any), and then cite the overall film.
Example:
Tarantino, Q. (2004). [Commentary on Pulp Fiction]. In L. Bender (Producer) & Q. Tarantino (Director), Pulp fiction [DVD]. Miramax Films.
How do I handle foreign films with subtitles?
Cite the film using the original title. You can provide a translation in brackets if necessary, but this is not typically required.
What if the title of the film is very long?
Use the full title as it appears on the film. Do not shorten or abbreviate it.
Where can I find the most accurate information for my movie citation?
The most reliable sources are the film’s end credits or a reputable database such as IMDb (Internet Movie Database). Always cross-reference information to ensure accuracy.