Citing movies in APA format requires careful attention to specific elements like director, year, and production company. This guide provides a definitive explanation and practical examples to ensure accurate and consistent citations in your academic work.
Understanding the Basics of APA Movie Citations
The core principle of APA citations, including those for movies, is to credit the source material accurately and provide enough information for readers to locate the original work. APA 7th edition emphasizes simplicity and clarity, streamlining the process compared to previous versions. The citation format differs slightly depending on whether you’re creating a reference list entry or an in-text citation. Let’s break down the essential components.
Elements of a Reference List Entry
A reference list entry for a movie should include the following elements:
- Director(s). List the director(s) of the film. Use initials for first and middle names, followed by a period.
- (Year). The year the film was released in parentheses.
- Title of movie. Italicize the title of the movie. Capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or em dash, and proper nouns.
- [Film]. Include the medium in square brackets.
- Production Company. List the name of the production company or companies responsible for the film.
Example Reference List Entry
Here’s an example of a complete APA 7th edition reference list entry for a movie:
Spielberg, S. (1993). Jurassic Park [Film]. Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are brief references included within the body of your paper. They direct the reader to the full reference list entry. For movies, the in-text citation typically includes the director’s last name and the year of release.
- Single Director: (Spielberg, 1993)
- Two Directors: (Smith & Jones, 2020)
- Three or More Directors: (Brown et al., 2015)
When directly quoting dialogue from the movie, which is generally discouraged in academic writing, you should also include a timestamp if available, citing the exact moment the quoted line is spoken in the film. For instance: (Spielberg, 1993, 0:45:12).
Citing Online Streaming Movies
With the rise of streaming services, many movies are accessed online. Citing a movie watched online requires some adaptation of the standard format. The key is to provide information that allows the reader to locate the specific version you accessed.
Adapting the Reference List Entry for Streaming Movies
When citing a movie streamed online, add the platform where you watched the movie to the reference list entry.
- Director(s).
- (Year).
- Title of movie.
- [Film].
- Production Company.
- Available on [Name of Streaming Service].
Example of a Streaming Movie Reference List Entry
Here’s an example using Netflix:
Scorsese, M. (2019). The Irishman [Film]. Tribeca Productions; Winkler Films; Sikelia Productions. Available on Netflix.
In-Text Citations for Streaming Movies
The in-text citation remains the same, using the director’s last name and year of release: (Scorsese, 2019). The addition of the streaming service only appears in the full reference list entry.
Dealing with Complex Scenarios
Sometimes, citing movies in APA format presents challenges. Here are some common scenarios and how to address them.
Multiple Production Companies
If a movie has multiple production companies, list them all, separated by semicolons, in the order they appear on the film’s credits.
No Director Listed
In rare cases where the director is unknown or not credited, use the producer(s) instead, followed by “(Producer)” in parentheses. If neither is available, consider whether the source is appropriate for academic use.
Remakes and Re-releases
If you’re citing a remake or re-release, use the year of the version you watched. However, consider including information about the original release in your discussion if it’s relevant to your analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions about citing movies in APA format, offering detailed explanations and practical solutions:
1. Do I need to include the actors in the citation?
No, you do not typically include the actors in the citation unless they are directly relevant to your analysis and you are discussing their performance specifically. In that case, you could mention them in the body of your paper.
2. How do I cite a documentary film?
The format for citing a documentary is the same as for a feature film: Director(s). (Year). Title of documentary [Film]. Production Company.
3. What if I watched the movie on DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format remains the same as for a standard film. You do not need to specify the format (DVD, Blu-ray) in the reference list entry.
4. How do I cite a movie review in APA format?
This is a different type of source! Cite the reviewer and the year of the review, followed by the title of the review (if there is one), and then indicate that it’s a review of [Movie Title] in square brackets. The publication information should follow. Example: Ebert, R. (1993). [Review of the film Jurassic Park]. Chicago Sun-Times.
5. Is it necessary to include the country of origin?
No, the country of origin is not required in APA 7th edition movie citations.
6. What if the director has a middle name?
Include the director’s middle initial, followed by a period, between the first and last name. For example, “Spielberg, S. A.”
7. How do I cite a scene from a movie in my paper?
You don’t cite just the scene in your reference list. Instead, cite the entire film and, within your text, specify the timestamp where the scene occurs, as described above (e.g., (Spielberg, 1993, 1:02:30)).
8. What if the movie is a foreign film with a translated title?
Use the original title of the film in the citation. You can provide the translated title in parentheses within your discussion if necessary for clarity.
9. How do I cite a movie if it has no production company listed?
If the production company is genuinely unavailable (which is rare), omit that element from the citation.
10. How do I cite a short film?
The format is the same as for a feature film: Director(s). (Year). Title of short film [Film]. Production Company. The length of the film doesn’t change the citation format.
11. Can I use DOI numbers for movies, like I can for journal articles?
No, movies do not have DOI numbers. You do not need to include a DOI in the citation.
12. Does the capitalization of “Film” in the brackets matter?
Yes, the “F” in “[Film]” should always be capitalized. It indicates the medium of the source.
By following these guidelines and understanding these nuances, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in APA format, ensuring the integrity and credibility of your academic work. Remember to consult the official APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date information and specific guidance.