The Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary methods for citing movies: the notes and bibliography system and the author-date system. Choosing the correct method ensures academic integrity and allows your readers to easily locate the source material. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating these methods, ensuring accurate and consistent movie citations in your written work.
Understanding Chicago Style: Notes and Bibliography vs. Author-Date
Chicago style, renowned for its meticulous approach to citation, offers two distinct systems: notes and bibliography (NB) and author-date. The choice depends on your discipline and specific assignment guidelines.
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Notes and Bibliography: This system uses superscript numbers within the text that correspond to footnotes or endnotes at the bottom of the page or end of the document, respectively. A full bibliographic entry is also included in a comprehensive bibliography at the end of your work. This system is favored in the humanities, particularly history, literature, and the arts.
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Author-Date: This system uses parenthetical citations within the text, including the director’s last name and the year of release. A corresponding reference list, similar to a bibliography, is included at the end of the document. This system is more common in the sciences and social sciences.
Notes and Bibliography: In-Text Citations and Bibliography Entries
This section details the process of creating both in-text notes and full bibliographic entries for movies according to the notes and bibliography system.
In-Text Note (Footnote/Endnote) Example:
1 Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles (1941; Los Angeles, CA: RKO Radio Pictures, 1941).
Bibliography Entry Example:
Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles. 1941; Los Angeles, CA: RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
Key Elements:
- Title: Italics are used for the movie’s title.
- Director: Include the director’s name, preceded by “Directed by.”
- Year of Release: State the year the movie was released.
- Place of Production: Include the city and state where the movie was produced, if readily available.
- Production Company: Identify the production company responsible for the movie.
- Additional Information (Optional): Consider including information like the distributor if relevant.
Author-Date: In-Text Citations and Reference List Entries
This section outlines how to cite movies using the author-date system, encompassing both in-text parenthetical citations and entries in the reference list.
In-Text Citation Example:
(Welles 1941)
Reference List Entry Example:
Welles, Orson, dir. 1941. Citizen Kane. Los Angeles, CA: RKO Radio Pictures.
Key Elements:
- Director (Author): The director is treated as the “author” in this system. Use the director’s last name in the in-text citation.
- Year of Release: Include the year the movie was released.
- Title: Italics are used for the movie’s title in the reference list.
- Production Information: Specify the city, state, and production company in the reference list entry.
- Director Abbreviation: Use “dir.” after the director’s name in the reference list.
Specific Scenarios and Considerations
Beyond the basic formats, various scenarios may require adjustments to your citations. Consider the following situations.
Citing Specific Scenes
When referencing a particular scene within a movie, you can provide a timestamp or a description of the scene in your note or parenthetical citation.
Example (Notes and Bibliography):
2 The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola (1972; New York, NY: Paramount Pictures, 1972), timecode 0:45:00.
Example (Author-Date):
(Coppola 1972, 0:45:00)
Citing a Streaming Service
If you accessed the movie via a streaming service, include the service in your citation.
Example (Notes and Bibliography):
3 Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón (2018; Los Angeles, CA: Netflix, 2018).
Example (Author-Date):
(Cuarón 2018)
Important Note: Do not include URLs for streaming services in your bibliography or reference list entry. The core information (title, director, year) remains the primary focus.
Citing a DVD or Blu-ray
When citing a movie from a DVD or Blu-ray, you can include the medium in your citation.
Example (Notes and Bibliography):
4 Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott (1982; Los Angeles, CA: Warner Bros., 1982), DVD.
Example (Author-Date):
(Scott 1982, DVD)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding citing movies in Chicago style to further clarify any confusion.
FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the credits, separated by “and”. For in-text citations in the author-date system, use the first director’s last name followed by “et al.” if there are more than two.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a documentary?
The same principles apply to documentaries. Treat the director as the author and follow the standard format for either the notes and bibliography or author-date system.
FAQ 3: Should I include the screenplay writer in my citation?
While the director is typically the primary “author” for citation purposes, you can include the screenwriter if their contribution is central to your argument. Place their name after the director, preceded by “screenplay by.”
FAQ 4: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, you can use the title of the movie in place of the director’s name in the in-text citation and bibliography entry. The bibliography entry should begin with the movie title.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a movie review?
Cite a movie review like any other article. Include the author of the review, the title of the review (if any), the name of the publication, and the date of publication. Clearly identify that it is a review of the specific movie.
FAQ 6: Is it necessary to include the country of origin?
Including the country of origin is not mandatory but can be helpful, especially for international productions. Add it after the city and state, separated by a comma.
FAQ 7: Can I use abbreviations for the state names?
Yes, you can use standard abbreviations for state names (e.g., CA for California). Ensure consistency throughout your citations.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite the original title, followed by an English translation in brackets, if you are discussing it in English. You can also include information about subtitles or dubbing if relevant.
FAQ 9: What if the movie was rereleased in a different year?
Cite the original release year. If you are discussing a specific edition or rerelease with added content, mention the rerelease year and any distinguishing features.
FAQ 10: Where do I find the information needed for the citation?
Information for citations can be found in the movie’s opening and closing credits, on the DVD/Blu-ray packaging, on the streaming service details page, or on reputable online movie databases like IMDb (Internet Movie Database).
FAQ 11: How does citing an animated movie differ from a live-action movie?
There is no significant difference. Treat the director as the author and follow the standard citation format. You might choose to mention the animation studio if it’s particularly relevant.
FAQ 12: What if I’m citing a scene from a movie included in a collection or anthology?
Cite the movie as a whole, but also include the title of the collection or anthology and the editor’s name, if applicable. Use specific page or timestamp references to identify the scene within the larger work.
By adhering to these guidelines and considering these specific scenarios, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in Chicago style, ensuring the credibility and clarity of your research.