Citing a movie in Chicago style involves providing specific details about the film in a footnote or endnote, followed by a corresponding entry in the bibliography. This ensures accurate attribution and allows readers to easily locate the cited work. The specific information and formatting differ slightly between the Notes-Bibliography style (NB) and the Author-Date style. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of both approaches, ensuring your cinematic citations are pitch-perfect.
Understanding Chicago Style Citation for Film
The Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary citation systems: Notes-Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date. While the core information included in a movie citation remains consistent, the formatting and placement of this information vary. This article will detail both styles, equipping you with the knowledge to cite films confidently in any context.
The Notes-Bibliography Style (NB)
The NB style, frequently used in the humanities, utilizes footnotes or endnotes to cite sources within the text. Each citation is numbered sequentially and placed either at the bottom of the page (footnotes) or at the end of the chapter or document (endnotes). A corresponding entry is then created in the bibliography, providing full publication details.
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Footnote/Endnote Format:
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Number. Title of Movie, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Distributor, Year of Release).
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Example: 1. Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz (Warner Bros., 1942).
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Bibliography Entry Format:
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Title of Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name. Distributor, Year of Release.
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Example: Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros., 1942.
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The Author-Date Style
The Author-Date style, common in the sciences and social sciences, uses parenthetical citations within the text. These citations contain the director’s last name and the year of release. A corresponding entry in the reference list (similar to a bibliography) provides full publication details.
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Parenthetical Citation Format:
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(Director Last Name, Year)
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Example: (Curtiz, 1942)
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Reference List Entry Format:
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Director Last Name, First Name. Year. Title of Movie. Distributor.
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Example: Curtiz, Michael. 1942. Casablanca. Warner Bros.
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Essential Elements of a Movie Citation
Regardless of the style used, certain elements are crucial for a complete and accurate movie citation. These include:
- Title of the Movie: Provide the full and exact title of the film, italicized.
- Director: Include the director’s first and last name.
- Distributor: Specify the company that distributed the film.
- Year of Release: State the year the movie was originally released.
Additional information, such as actors, screenwriters, or specific editions, can be included to further clarify the citation, especially if relevant to your analysis.
Navigating Specific Citation Scenarios
Citing movies can become complex when dealing with different formats, versions, or roles within the film. The following FAQs address some common challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I cite a movie with multiple directors?
- In the footnote/endnote, list the directors in the order they appear on the film credits, separated by “and.” In the bibliography, follow the same order. In the Author-Date style, include all directors in the parenthetical citation for the first mention. Subsequent citations can use “et al.” after the first director’s name.
2. How do I cite a specific scene from a movie?
- While not strictly required by Chicago Style, you can add information about the scene in your footnote or parenthetical citation. For example: Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz (Warner Bros., 1942), scene where Rick says, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
3. What if the distributor is unknown?
- If the distributor is unknown, you can omit it from the citation. However, if you can reasonably infer the distributor (e.g., from online research), you can include it in brackets: [Distributor].
4. How do I cite a movie I watched online via a streaming service?
- Include the streaming service in the citation. For example: Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Netflix, 2018). In Author-Date, this would be (Cuarón, 2018).
5. How do I cite a movie commentary?
- Cite the commentary as a separate work, attributing it to the commentator. Include the title of the movie and the commentator’s name. For example: Commentary by Roger Ebert on Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles (RKO Radio Pictures, 1941).
6. What if I’m citing a specific edition or version of a movie?
- Include the edition or version in the citation, following the title. For example: Blade Runner: The Final Cut, directed by Ridley Scott (Warner Bros., 2007).
7. How do I cite a foreign film?
- Cite the film using the original title. If you’re discussing a translated version, you can provide the English translation in brackets after the original title. The distributor should be the distributor of the version you watched.
8. What if I’m only referencing the movie’s plot and not directly quoting it?
- You still need to cite the movie. Even summarizing a plot requires acknowledging the source of that plot.
9. How do I cite a movie trailer?
- Treat the trailer as a short film. Include the title of the trailer, the director (if known), and the distributor (usually the movie studio).
10. How do I cite a movie that hasn’t been released yet?
- Use the year of expected release and include “forthcoming” in the citation. For example: Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Warner Bros., forthcoming).
11. Do I need to include the running time of the movie?
- No, the running time is not typically included in a Chicago style movie citation.
12. How do I handle citing a movie title that is very common or generic?
- Consider adding clarifying information to the citation. For instance, if citing a film titled “Home,” specifying the year of release becomes crucial: Home (2015), directed by Tim Johnson. This helps differentiate it from other films with the same title.
Mastering Movie Citations: A Final Word
Accurately citing movies in Chicago style requires meticulous attention to detail. By understanding the core elements of a movie citation and familiarizing yourself with the nuances of both the Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date styles, you can ensure your work is both credible and professional. Remember to consult the Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date guidelines and specific instructions for complex citation scenarios. Confident and accurate citation practices are integral to academic integrity and effective scholarly communication. Embrace the challenge and elevate the quality of your research!