Properly citing movies in APA 7th Edition is essential for academic integrity and giving credit to the creators of cinematic works. The citation format varies depending on whether you’re citing within the text (in-text citation) or in your reference list. The general format for a movie citation in the reference list follows a structured pattern, including the director(s), year of release, title of the movie, and the production company.
The Core Elements of an APA Movie Citation
The citation structure for a movie in APA 7th Edition is designed to provide all necessary information for readers to locate the film. It’s important to adhere to the guidelines meticulously to ensure accuracy and consistency. Here’s the fundamental breakdown:
- Director(s), A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie (Version). Production Company.
Let’s dissect each element:
- Director(s), A. A.: List the director(s) by last name, followed by initials. If there are multiple directors, separate their names with commas. Use “Director” after the last director’s name.
- (Year): This is the year the movie was released.
- Title of movie: Italicize the full title of the movie. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, proper nouns, and acronyms.
- (Version): Specify the version if it’s a particular cut, such as the Director’s Cut. Include the term “(Director’s cut)”
- Production Company: Name the production company that produced the film.
Example:
- Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the source within the body of your paper. For movies, you typically use the director’s last name and the year of release.
- (Spielberg, 1993)
If you mention the director in your sentence, you can just include the year in parentheses:
- Spielberg (1993) created a cinematic masterpiece with Jurassic Park.
If you’re quoting from a screenplay, the in-text citation would change to include the act, scene and line number.
FAQs: Mastering Movie Citations in APA 7th Edition
To further clarify the nuances of citing movies in APA 7th Edition, here are some frequently asked questions:
H3 FAQ 1: What if there are multiple directors?
Include all directors in the reference list, separated by commas. Use the phrase “(Directors)” after the last director’s name.
- Coen, J., & Coen, E. (Directors). (1998). The Big Lebowski. Gramercy Pictures.
In the in-text citation, use the last names of both directors: (Coen & Coen, 1998). If there are more than two directors, use the first director’s last name followed by “et al.” in the in-text citation: (First Director et al., Year).
H3 FAQ 2: How do I cite a movie I watched on a streaming service?
The core citation remains the same. However, you might consider adding the streaming service as a secondary source if it adds value. For instance, if the streaming service provided exclusive commentary or additional content.
- Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures.
If you need to cite the streaming service (rare but possible), it would be included at the end of the reference entry.
H3 FAQ 3: What if I’m citing a specific scene or quote from a movie?
While APA doesn’t require specifying timestamps for audiovisual material generally, you can provide more specific information if it enhances clarity for the reader. You can briefly describe the scene in the in-text citation. If citing from a screenplay, provide act, scene, and line numbers if available.
H3 FAQ 4: How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite the film by its original title. If you watched a subtitled or dubbed version, include that information after the title in square brackets.
- Tornatore, G. (Director). (1988). Nuovo Cinema Paradiso [Cinema Paradiso]. Cristaldifilm.
H3 FAQ 5: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, use the production company in the director’s position. Indicate the role after the company name.
- Universal Pictures (Producer). (1975). Jaws. Zanuck/Brown Productions.
H3 FAQ 6: How do I cite a documentary film?
Treat a documentary film the same way you would cite a regular movie. Include the director(s), year, title, and production company.
- Moore, M. (Director). (2004). Fahrenheit 9/11. Dog Eat Dog Films.
H3 FAQ 7: How do I cite a movie from a DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format is the same as for a movie watched in a theater. The format does not change based on media format. Just include the director, year, title and production company.
H3 FAQ 8: What if the movie is based on a book? Should I cite the book instead?
If you’re discussing the book specifically, cite the book. If you’re discussing the movie adaptation, cite the movie. If you’re analyzing both and making connections, cite both in your paper.
H3 FAQ 9: Is it necessary to include the country of origin of the movie?
No, it is not necessary to include the country of origin in the APA 7th edition citation. The production company usually provides sufficient context.
H3 FAQ 10: How do I handle remakes or sequels?
Cite the specific movie you are referencing. Each film has its own director, year, and production company that should be documented accurately.
H3 FAQ 11: Can I use abbreviations in my movie citations?
Avoid excessive abbreviations. Use the full name of the production company if possible. If an abbreviation is commonly used and understood (e.g., MGM), you can use it.
H3 FAQ 12: What if the movie had multiple production companies?
List all production companies, separated by semicolons.
- Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade Runner. The Ladd Company; Warner Bros.; Sir Run Run Shaw.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of citing movies in APA 7th Edition requires attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the guidelines. By following the principles outlined in this article and consulting the APA Publication Manual, you can confidently cite cinematic works and uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency to ensure your work is both credible and professional.