Citing movies correctly in APA 7th edition is crucial for academic integrity and giving proper credit to filmmakers and contributors. The core citation format emphasizes the director’s role as the primary creator of the cinematic work, providing a clear and consistent method for referencing film within academic research.
Understanding the APA 7th Edition Movie Citation Format
The APA 7th edition style requires a specific format for citing movies, prioritizing the director as the primary author. This reflects the director’s overall artistic vision and control over the film’s production. The citation includes the director’s last name, first initial(s), followed by (Director). Then comes the year of release in parentheses. The title of the movie follows in italics, and finally, the production company or distributor name is provided.
The basic template looks like this:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie. Production Company.
For example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures.
Let’s break down each element and explore some nuances.
Key Elements of the Movie Citation
- Director’s Name: The director’s name is listed in the format of Last Name, First Initial(s). For films with multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the film credits, separating them with commas. Use the “&” symbol before the final director’s name if there are more than two.
- Director Role: After the director’s name, include “(Director)” in parentheses to clearly indicate their role.
- Year of Release: Provide the year the movie was initially released in theaters. This is the theatrical release year, not the year the DVD was released or the year you watched it.
- Title of Movie: The movie title should be italicized. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, along with proper nouns.
- Production Company: List the name of the production company responsible for the movie’s creation. Often, the major distributor is acceptable if the production company is less well-known. This information is typically found in the movie’s opening or closing credits.
In-Text Citations
When referencing the movie in your text, use the director’s last name and the year of release. For example:
(Spielberg, 1993)
If you are directly quoting dialogue from the movie, you should also include a timestamp indicating the point in the film where the quote occurs. For example:
(Spielberg, 1993, 0:45:12)
Common Scenarios and Considerations
There are several variations to the basic format that you might encounter depending on the source and the specific context of your citation.
Citing Streaming Services
If you accessed the movie through a streaming service like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, include the streaming service in the source element of your citation. The basic format becomes:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie. Production Company. Streaming Service.
For example:
Scorsese, M. (Director). (2006). The Departed. Warner Bros. Netflix.
Citing a Specific Scene
While APA generally avoids citing specific scenes directly, you can indicate a specific scene or element in your narrative when describing the movie in your text. For example:
“The tension builds dramatically in The Departed (Scorsese, 2006) during the confrontation in the warehouse (1:32:00-1:35:00).”
Here, the timestamps are for illustrative purposes only and are included within the text, not the formal citation.
When the Writer is Also the Director
If the same person wrote and directed the movie, you can include both roles. However, it’s often simpler and clearer to cite them only as the Director, focusing on their primary role in shaping the cinematic experience.
FAQs: Mastering Movie Citations in APA 7th Edition
Below are frequently asked questions designed to clarify common issues and ensure accuracy in your APA 7th edition movie citations.
FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the film credits. Separate them with commas, and use the “&” symbol before the final director’s name if there are more than two. For example:
Russo, A., & Russo, J. (Directors). (2019). Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios.
FAQ 2: What if the director is unknown?
In the rare instance where the director is genuinely unknown, consider whether the movie is suitable for academic citation. If you must cite it, use the title of the movie in place of the director’s name. For example:
The Blair Witch Project. (1999). Haxan Films.
FAQ 3: Where do I find the production company information?
The production company information is typically found in the movie’s opening or closing credits. You can also often find this information on online movie databases like IMDb.
FAQ 4: Do I need to include the country of origin?
No, the country of origin is not required in the APA 7th edition citation for a movie.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a documentary?
Cite a documentary in the same way as a feature film, using the director’s name and the year of release. If the documentary focuses heavily on a particular individual, you might consider citing that individual in addition to the director, depending on the emphasis of your writing.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a movie review?
Citing a movie review follows a different format. You would cite the author of the review, the year the review was published, the title of the review, and the source where the review was found (e.g., journal, website).
FAQ 7: Should I include the URL if I watched the movie online?
While APA 7th edition recommends including URLs for online sources, it’s generally not necessary for movies streamed on platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Simply list the streaming service as the source. If you are citing a movie hosted on a less common or specialized website, including the URL may be beneficial.
FAQ 8: What if I’m citing a DVD version of the movie?
The citation remains the same as citing the theatrical release. You do not need to specify that you watched the movie on DVD. The focus remains on the original theatrical release.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite the film using the original title. If you are providing a translated title within your text, include the original title in parentheses after the translated title upon its first mention.
FAQ 10: What if I’m analyzing the cinematography, acting, or music in a movie?
The basic citation remains the same, but you can specify the element you are analyzing in your narrative. For example: “The use of color in Amelie (Jeunet, 2001) powerfully enhances the film’s whimsical atmosphere.”
FAQ 11: Is it necessary to include the running time of the movie?
No, the running time of the movie is not required in the APA 7th edition citation.
FAQ 12: What if the movie is based on a book?
You would cite the movie itself according to the standard movie citation format. If you are discussing the adaptation process or comparing the movie to the book, you should also cite the original book using the appropriate APA citation format for books. You could mention the relationship between the two works within your written text to clarify the context.
By adhering to these guidelines and addressing these common questions, you can ensure your movie citations in APA 7th edition are accurate, complete, and contribute to the credibility of your academic work. Remember to always consult the official APA Publication Manual for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information.