Accurately citing sources is paramount in academic writing, and films are no exception. In APA style, citing a movie on your reference page requires specific elements arranged in a precise format to ensure clarity and proper attribution. The primary goal is to provide readers with sufficient information to locate the film themselves.
Understanding the Core Elements of an APA Movie Citation
Creating an effective APA movie citation revolves around identifying and arranging key details in a consistent manner. These include the directors, the year of release, the title of the movie, and the production company. Let’s break down the core elements and their arrangement:
General Format:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of motion picture [Motion picture]. Production Company.
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Motion picture]. Universal Pictures.
Breaking Down the Elements
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Director(s): List the director(s) of the film, using their last name followed by initials. If there are multiple directors, separate them with commas. Use “&” before the final director’s name. For instance: Scott, R. (Director). If two directors: Scott, R., & Ridley, T. (Directors).
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Year: This refers to the release year of the film. This is typically found during the opening or closing credits of the movie, or through reliable online databases like IMDb.
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Title: The title of the movie is italicized. Use sentence case capitalization (only the first word of the title and subtitle, and proper nouns, are capitalized).
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Designation [Motion picture]: Enclose the phrase “[Motion picture]” in square brackets immediately after the title. This clarifies the type of source being cited.
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Production Company: This identifies the studio or company primarily responsible for producing the film. This information is usually listed in the credits.
Practical Examples and Variations
Let’s explore some practical examples of how to cite movies in APA style, covering different scenarios you might encounter:
Example 1: Single Director, Simple Citation
Nolan, C. (Director). (2010). Inception [Motion picture]. Warner Bros.
Example 2: Multiple Directors
Lord, P., & Miller, C. (Directors). (2018). Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse [Motion picture]. Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Animation.
Example 3: Including a URL for Online Streaming
If you accessed the movie via a streaming service, include the URL after the production company.
Wright, E. (Director). (2017). Baby Driver [Motion picture]. Big Talk Productions; Working Title Films. https://www.netflix.com/title/80117153
Example 4: Citing a Specific Scene in a Movie
While not a typical reference page entry, if you are focusing on a very specific scene, you can elaborate in your in-text citation. The reference page entry would still be for the entire film. In-text citation example: (Spielberg, 1993, 0:45:00 – 0:48:30). This refers to the scene between 45 minutes and 48 minutes and 30 seconds.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can undermine the accuracy and credibility of your APA movie citations. Being aware of these pitfalls is essential for producing error-free references:
- Incorrect Date: Always double-check the release year of the movie. Using the wrong year can lead to confusion and detract from the accuracy of your citation.
- Misspelled Title: Ensure the movie title is spelled correctly and adheres to sentence case capitalization.
- Missing Director: Failing to include the director(s) is a significant omission. This information is crucial for identifying the source accurately.
- Incorrect Production Company: Verify the correct name of the production company. Some films have multiple production companies; list the primary ones.
- Omitting “[Motion Picture]”: This designation is mandatory and should not be overlooked.
- Incorrect Formatting: Always adhere to APA formatting guidelines, including italics for the title and correct punctuation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 FAQs to further clarify citing movies in APA style:
FAQ 1: What if the director is uncredited?
If the director is truly uncredited and you cannot definitively identify them, omit the director information from the citation. Begin directly with the year of release.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a movie from a DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format remains the same as for a theatrical release. Include the director(s), year, title, “[Motion picture]”, and production company. The physical medium (DVD, Blu-ray) is not included in the reference.
FAQ 3: Can I use IMDb as a reliable source for citation information?
IMDb can be a useful starting point, but always double-check the information against other reputable sources, such as the movie’s official website or credible film databases.
FAQ 4: What if a movie has multiple production companies?
List the primary production companies separated by semicolons. Focus on the major companies involved in the film’s creation and distribution.
FAQ 5: Do I need to include the country of origin in the citation?
No, the country of origin is generally not included in APA movie citations. The production company usually implies the origin.
FAQ 6: How do I handle foreign language films?
Cite the movie in its original language, including the title. If providing a translation in your text, include the translated title in square brackets after the original title in your paper (not in the reference).
FAQ 7: What if I am citing a movie review?
Citing a movie review follows the standard APA format for citing journal articles or online articles, depending on where the review was published. The movie citation itself remains separate.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a movie trailer?
You would cite a movie trailer similarly to the movie itself, but specify “[Video trailer]” instead of “[Motion picture]” in the brackets. Include the URL if available online.
FAQ 9: Is it acceptable to cite a movie script?
Yes, you can cite a movie script if you used it as a primary source. Indicate “[Movie script]” instead of “[Motion picture]”. Also, specify the author of the script if different from the director.
FAQ 10: What is the correct format for in-text citations of movies?
The in-text citation should include the director’s last name and the year of release, for example, (Spielberg, 1993).
FAQ 11: What if the movie is part of a series?
The series title is generally not included in the citation. Focus on citing the specific film you are referencing.
FAQ 12: Can I cite a movie I saw in a film festival?
Yes, cite the movie as usual. If the film has not been officially released commercially, you may need to provide additional context in your paper about the film festival and its significance. If the film isn’t widely available, you should include details to help readers locate it, such as the festival name and dates.
By understanding these core principles and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in APA style, ensuring the credibility and professionalism of your academic work. Always double-check your citations against the latest APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.