Citing lines from a movie in MLA requires providing specific information about the source so readers can easily locate the quotation within the film. This involves including the movie title, director, production company, year, and a timestamp indicating where the quote appears. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring accuracy and adherence to MLA 9th edition standards.
Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities for formatting academic papers and citing sources. When incorporating dialogue from a movie into your writing, you must properly cite it to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the filmmakers. The core principle is to provide enough information for your audience to find the exact moment in the movie you’re referencing.
Why Citation is Essential
Proper citation demonstrates academic integrity. It acknowledges the source of your information and allows readers to verify your claims and explore the original work further. Neglecting to cite sources can lead to accusations of plagiarism, which has serious consequences in academic and professional settings.
Crafting Your MLA Citation for Movie Dialogue
Citing movie lines in MLA involves two parts: the in-text citation within the body of your paper and the Works Cited entry at the end.
The Works Cited Entry: The Foundation
The Works Cited entry provides detailed information about the movie itself. Here’s the basic format:
Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. Movie Title. Production Company, Year.
For example:
Spielberg, Steven, director. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Universal Pictures, 1982.
Key Considerations:
- Director Focus: MLA style emphasizes the director’s role.
- Movie Title: Italicize the title.
- Production Company: Include the main production company involved.
- Year of Release: Use the original theatrical release year.
The In-Text Citation: Locating the Quote
The in-text citation, placed directly after the quotation within your text, helps your reader pinpoint the exact moment where the dialogue appears. In MLA, this involves providing a timestamp (hour:minute:second).
Example:
As E.T. struggles to communicate, he utters the iconic line, “E.T. phone home” (Spielberg 1:33:45).
Key Considerations:
- Parenthetical Placement: The in-text citation goes within parentheses immediately following the quote.
- Timestamp Format: Use the format hour:minute:second.
- Placement of Period: The period goes after the parenthetical citation.
- Accuracy is Paramount: Double-check the timestamp for accuracy.
Example in Practice: Bringing it all Together
Let’s say you’re analyzing the dialogue in the film Casablanca. Your Works Cited entry would look like this:
Curtiz, Michael, director. Casablanca. Warner Bros., 1942.
And if you wanted to quote Rick’s famous line, your in-text citation would look like this:
Rick’s cynical outlook is evident when he says, “Here’s looking at you, kid” (Curtiz 0:55:12).
Advanced Scenarios and Special Cases
While the above guidelines cover most situations, there are some nuances to consider:
Multiple Directors
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear on the film credits, separated by “and.” For example:
Wright, Edgar, and Simon Pegg, directors. Shaun of the Dead. Universal Pictures, 2004.
Citing Screenplays
If you’re citing a published screenplay rather than the movie itself, follow MLA guidelines for citing books. Include the author (screenwriter), title of the screenplay, publisher, and year of publication. The in-text citation would then refer to page numbers instead of timestamps.
Quotes from TV Shows
For TV shows, the format is similar, but you include the episode title, series title, season number, and episode number. The in-text citation would then include the timestamp within the episode.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process:
FAQ 1: What if I can’t find the exact timestamp?
If you’re unable to determine the exact second, provide the minute and second. If you’re still struggling, approximate as closely as possible. Add “approx.” before the timestamp to indicate approximation. Example: (Spielberg approx. 1:33).
FAQ 2: Should I include the actors’ names in the citation?
No, MLA style focuses on the director. Unless you are specifically analyzing an actor’s performance, the actor’s name is not typically included in the citation.
FAQ 3: What if the movie is streaming online?
If you’re citing a movie accessed online, you don’t need to include the URL or access date in MLA 9th edition unless your instructor requires it. The basic Works Cited format remains the same.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a quote that spans multiple lines of dialogue?
Use a block quote if the quote is longer than four lines. Indent the entire block one inch from the left margin and omit quotation marks. The in-text citation follows the block quote and is placed outside the final punctuation.
FAQ 5: What if I am citing the movie from a DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format remains the same. The physical format (DVD, Blu-ray) is not typically included in the citation unless it contains significant bonus content you are referencing.
FAQ 6: Do I need to specify if the movie is dubbed?
No, it’s not necessary to specify if a movie is dubbed unless the dubbing significantly alters the original meaning or you are specifically analyzing the dubbing itself.
FAQ 7: How do I handle subtitles in a foreign language film?
Cite the film as usual. If you’re quoting the subtitles, make it clear in your writing that you are referring to the subtitles and not the original dialogue. You might even mention the translator if their contribution is significant.
FAQ 8: Can I cite a movie script I found online?
If you are citing a script found online, find the original source (publisher, website) and cite that source according to MLA rules for website citation, including the author (screenwriter) and title.
FAQ 9: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, start the citation with the title of the movie, followed by “directed by” and then “n.d.” (no director).
FAQ 10: How do I cite a scene that doesn’t have dialogue but is visually significant?
For visually significant scenes without dialogue, describe the scene briefly in your text and then provide the director’s name and timestamp in the in-text citation. For example: “The stark visual contrast of the cityscape emphasizes the character’s isolation (Scott 0:23:15).”
FAQ 11: Should I include the genre of the movie in my citation?
No, the genre of the movie is not typically included in the MLA citation.
FAQ 12: What if the production company is extremely long and unwieldy?
Use the most recognizable and relevant part of the production company name. For example, instead of “Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation,” you can simply use “20th Century Fox.”
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite lines from movies in MLA format, ensuring the integrity and credibility of your academic work. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy and consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date information.