Citing a movie in APA style requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and credibility. The general format includes the director’s name, the year of release, the title of the movie, and the production company, offering readers a clear pathway to locate the source material.
The Core APA Citation Structure for Movies
APA (American Psychological Association) style provides a standardized approach for acknowledging sources, and movies are no exception. Proper citation helps maintain academic integrity and allows readers to verify your sources. Understanding the core structure is fundamental to mastering APA movie citations.
The Reference List Entry
The reference list entry for a movie follows a specific pattern. It begins with the individual primarily responsible for the film’s direction. Here’s the basic structure:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie [Motion picture]. Production Company.
Let’s break down each component:
- Director, A. A. (Director): This signifies the director’s name, starting with their last name, followed by a comma, then their initials. The parenthetical “(Director)” clarifies their role. If multiple directors exist, list them in the order they appear in the film credits, separated by commas. For more than two directors, use the first listed director followed by “et al. (Directors)”.
- (Year): This represents the year the movie was released, not necessarily when it was filmed. Enclose the year in parentheses.
- Title of movie: This is the full and exact title of the movie, italicized. Capitalize only the first word of the title, subtitle (if any), and proper nouns.
- [Motion picture]: This descriptive phrase, enclosed in square brackets, identifies the medium of the source. This is crucial for readers to understand that you are citing a movie.
- Production Company: This specifies the name of the production company or distribution company responsible for the film. This helps in locating the movie.
Example:
Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade runner [Motion picture]. Warner Bros.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that point to the full entry in your reference list. They provide immediate attribution and guide readers to the source for more information.
- Narrative Citation: The director’s name is integrated into the sentence. For example: “As Scott (1982) demonstrates in Blade Runner…”
- Parenthetical Citation: The director’s name and year of release are enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: “…the film’s dystopian setting is highly influential (Scott, 1982).”
Addressing Common Scenarios
While the basic template covers most situations, you’ll encounter variations. Understanding how to adapt the citation based on specific circumstances ensures accuracy and consistency.
When Multiple Production Companies are Involved
If multiple production companies are listed, include all of them, separated by semicolons, and provide them in the order that they appear in the film credits.
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Motion picture]. Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures.
Citing a Specific Scene or Time Stamp
APA generally does not require precise page numbers for non-paginated sources like movies. However, you can include a time stamp if you’re referencing a specific scene or moment. Include the timestamp information in the in-text citation, not the reference list entry. For narrative citations:
Example:
Spielberg (1993, 01:22:15) depicts the iconic T-Rex reveal…
For parenthetical citations:
Example:
…the T-Rex reveal is a pivotal moment (Spielberg, 1993, 01:22:15).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions about citing movies in APA format, designed to provide clarity and address common challenges:
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What if a movie has multiple directors?
- List all directors in the order they appear in the credits, separated by commas. If there are more than two, use the first listed director followed by “et al. (Directors)”.
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How do I cite a movie I watched on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu?
- The citation remains the same, focusing on the original release. The streaming platform is not typically included unless the movie is exclusive to that service.
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What if I don’t know the director’s name?
- This is rare, but if truly unavailable after thorough research, use the executive producer or primary creative figure identified in the credits. If no such figure is discernable, the title moves to the author position.
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Is the production company always necessary?
- Yes, the production company is a crucial element. It aids in locating the specific version or edition of the film.
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Do I need to cite the screenwriter?
- Generally, you cite the director as they are the primary creative force. However, if your analysis focuses primarily on the screenplay, you could cite the screenwriter. In this case, the format changes to: Writer, A. A. (Writer). (Year). Title of movie [Motion picture screenplay]. Production Company.
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How do I cite a documentary film?
- The format is the same as for a feature film: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of documentary [Motion picture]. Production Company.
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What if the film has been re-released? Do I use the original release date or the re-release date?
- Use the original release date. If you are specifically referencing bonus materials or changes in the re-release, mention this in your text and consider noting the re-release year in parentheses after the original.
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How do I cite a foreign film with a translated title?
- Use the translated title in your paper and include the original title in brackets after the translated title in the reference list. For example: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Translated title [Original Title] [Motion picture]. Production Company.
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Can I use IMDb as a reliable source for information?
- While IMDb can be a helpful starting point, it’s not always considered a definitive scholarly source. Verify information on IMDb with other reliable sources whenever possible. Ideally, consult the film’s official website or reputable film databases.
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How do I cite a short film?
- The citation format is the same as for a feature-length film: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of short film [Motion picture]. Production Company.
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What if I am citing an entire film series (e.g., all the Harry Potter movies)?
- It is generally better to cite specific films within the series that you are discussing. If you are discussing the series as a whole, you can mention it generally in your paper without creating a specific reference entry, particularly if the directors and production companies vary. However, consider citing the first film in the series to establish its origin, and then discuss the series in the body of your paper.
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How does the reference list entry change for television series episodes?
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For a specific episode, cite the episode director and writers. If focusing on the entire series, cite the series creator. For a single episode:
Writer, A.A. (Writer), & Director, B.B. (Director). (Year). Title of episode (Season number, Episode number). Title of series. Production Company.
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For an entire series:
Creator, A. A. (Creator). (Year Range). Title of series. Production Company.
By carefully following these guidelines and referencing the FAQs, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in APA style, maintaining academic integrity and providing clear information for your readers. Mastering these nuances ensures your work is both credible and accessible.