Citing a movie in APA 6th edition requires a specific format to ensure accuracy and clarity for your readers. The core structure includes the director(s), year of release, title of the movie, country of origin (if not the US), and the medium (e.g., Motion picture). This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of these elements and answers frequently asked questions to help you properly credit cinematic sources in your academic work.
Core Components of an APA 6th Edition Movie Citation
To accurately cite a movie in APA 6th edition format, follow this structured approach:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of motion picture. [Motion picture]. Country of Origin: Production Company.
Let’s break down each component:
- Director, A. A.: This refers to the director(s) of the movie. Use the format “Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Director).” If there are multiple directors, list them in the order they appear on the film. Use commas to separate the names, and add “(Directors)” instead of “(Director)” if there is more than one director.
- Year: This is the year the movie was released, not necessarily the year it was filmed. Place it in parentheses after the director(s)’ name(s).
- Title of motion picture: The title should be italicized and follow standard title capitalization rules (capitalize the first word, last word, and all principal words).
- [Motion picture]: This bracketed description indicates the medium being cited. It helps the reader quickly understand the source type.
- Country of Origin: State the country where the movie was produced if it’s not the United States.
- Production Company: This is the company that produced the film. You can find this information in the movie’s credits or on reliable online databases like IMDb.
Example:
Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade runner. [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros.
In-Text Citations
Remember to include in-text citations within your paper to credit the movie when you reference it.
- Parenthetical Citation: (Scott, 1982)
- Narrative Citation: Scott (1982) directed Blade Runner.
Always include the director’s last name and the year of release in your in-text citation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions and answers to help you navigate the nuances of citing movies in APA 6th edition.
H3 What if there are multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the movie credits. Separate the names with commas and use “(Directors)” instead of “(Director).”
Example:
Nolan, C., & Nolan, J. (Directors). (2010). Inception. [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros.
H3 What if I watched the movie on a streaming service?
The core citation remains the same. The streaming service is not included. The focus is on the original cinematic release.
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. [Motion picture]. United States: Universal Pictures.
H3 How do I cite a specific scene or moment in the movie?
APA 6th edition doesn’t have a specific format for citing a scene. In your narrative, describe the scene clearly. While you can’t formally cite a timestamp, you can provide contextual details to help the reader locate the specific moment you’re referencing.
Example:
In the iconic opening scene of The Lion King (Allers & Minkoff, 1994), the animals gather to celebrate the birth of Simba.
H3 What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, list the person or entity primarily responsible for the movie’s creation (e.g., the producer). If no such information is available, omit the director entirely and start the citation with the year.
Example:
(1939). Gone with the wind. [Motion picture]. United States: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
H3 How do I cite a foreign film with a translated title?
Cite the movie using its original title and provide the English translation in brackets after the original title.
Example:
Kurosawa, A. (Director). (1954). Shichinin no samurai [Seven Samurai]. [Motion picture]. Japan: Toho Company.
H3 How do I cite a DVD or Blu-ray version of a movie?
The citation remains focused on the original theatrical release. The format doesn’t change based on the version you watched (DVD, Blu-ray, streaming, etc.).
Example:
Lucas, G. (Director). (1977). Star wars: Episode IV – A new hope. [Motion picture]. United States: 20th Century Fox.
H3 What if there’s no production company listed?
If you cannot find the production company after thorough research, omit that element from the citation.
Example:
Tarantino, Q. (Director). (1994). Pulp Fiction. [Motion picture]. United States.
H3 Can I use IMDb or Wikipedia as sources for citation information?
While IMDb and Wikipedia can be helpful for preliminary research, they are not considered authoritative sources for academic citations. Always verify the information on official sources like the movie’s credits, studio websites, or reputable film databases. Aim for sources with editorial oversight.
H3 How do I cite a documentary film?
The format is the same as a regular movie citation. Use “[Motion picture]” to indicate the medium, regardless of whether it’s a fictional film or a documentary.
Example:
Moore, M. (Director). (2004). Fahrenheit 9/11. [Motion picture]. United States: Dog Eat Dog Films.
H3 How do I cite a movie that is part of a series (e.g., Star Wars)?
Cite the specific movie you are referencing. Include the episode number and title if applicable.
Example:
Lucas, G. (Director). (1980). Star wars: Episode V – The empire strikes back. [Motion picture]. United States: 20th Century Fox.
H3 What if the movie was a television movie?
While this guide focuses on films released theatrically, the adaptation is straightforward. Simply change “[Motion picture]” to “[Television movie]” and keep the rest of the format the same.
Example:
Spheeris, P. (Director). (1993). The Beverly Hillbillies. [Television movie]. United States: CBS.
H3 How do I adapt this to APA 7th Edition?
The 7th edition of APA simplified media citations. The core change is the removal of “Motion picture” from the brackets. The production company is also omitted. You would cite the Blade Runner example as:
Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade runner. United States: Warner Bros.
The key is to be consistent with the style guide you choose and to provide enough information for your reader to locate the source.
By following these guidelines and addressing these common questions, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your academic papers using APA 6th edition (or its evolution, APA 7th edition), ensuring proper credit and maintaining the integrity of your research. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency.