Creating a bibliography for a movie might seem less intuitive than citing a book or journal article, but it’s equally important for academic and professional work that references cinematic sources. This article provides a comprehensive guide to crafting accurate and consistent movie bibliographies, ensuring your research remains credible and avoids plagiarism.
Why Cite a Movie?
Accurate citation is the cornerstone of academic integrity and ethical research. When you reference a movie in your work, you’re building upon the creative efforts of countless individuals, including the director, actors, writers, and composers. Giving them proper credit not only respects their contributions but also allows your readers to verify your sources and explore the film further. Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, can have serious consequences, damaging your reputation and undermining the credibility of your work. Moreover, a well-structured bibliography demonstrates your understanding of scholarly conventions and strengthens the overall quality of your research. By meticulously documenting your sources, you showcase your commitment to intellectual honesty and provide a valuable resource for future researchers.
Different Citation Styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago
The method for creating a movie bibliography depends on the specific citation style required by your instructor or publication. The most common styles are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago. Each style has its own formatting rules, including the order of information, punctuation, and capitalization.
MLA Style
MLA style emphasizes authorship and typically focuses on the creator most responsible for the work. In the case of a movie, the director is usually considered the primary author.
Format:
Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Movie. Production Company, Year of Release.
Example:
Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., 1990.
In-text citation: (Scorsese) or (Scorsese, 1990)
APA Style
APA style emphasizes the date of publication and is commonly used in social sciences.
Format:
Director’s Last Name, First Initial. (Director). (Year of Release). Title of movie [Motion picture]. Production Company.
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Motion picture]. Universal Pictures.
In-text citation: (Spielberg, 1993)
Chicago Style
Chicago style offers two main formats: Notes-Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date. The Notes-Bibliography style is more common in the humanities.
Format (Notes-Bibliography):
Director’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Movie. Production Company, Year of Release.
Example:
Hitchcock, Alfred. Psycho. Shamley Productions, 1960.
Format (Author-Date):
Director’s Last Name, First Name. Year of Release. Title of Movie. Production Company.
Example:
Hitchcock, Alfred. 1960. Psycho. Shamley Productions.
In-text citation (Notes-Bibliography): 1. Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho (Shamley Productions, 1960).
In-text citation (Author-Date): (Hitchcock 1960)
Essential Elements of a Movie Citation
Regardless of the citation style, certain pieces of information are essential for a complete and accurate entry:
- Director’s Name: The director is generally considered the primary creator.
- Title of the Movie: The full and official title of the film, italicized or underlined depending on the style guide.
- Production Company: The studio or company responsible for producing the movie.
- Year of Release: The year the movie was initially released to the public.
- Format (for APA): Specify “[Motion picture]” within brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Movie Bibliographies
H3 FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they are credited on the film. In MLA style, you can use “directors” after the last name of the final director listed. In APA style, list each director individually followed by “(Director)”.
H3 FAQ 2: How do I cite a movie I watched online via streaming service (Netflix, Amazon, etc.)?
In MLA, include the streaming service and the URL after the standard movie citation: Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., 1990. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/example.
In APA, add the phrase “Available from” before the URL: Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Motion picture]. Universal Pictures. Available from www.netflix.com/title/example
In Chicago, add “accessed [Date]” after the URL.
H3 FAQ 3: What if I want to cite a specific scene or moment in the movie?
While you generally cite the entire film, you can reference specific scenes in your text by including the timestamp or chapter. For example, “(Scorsese, 1990, 01:23:45)” indicates a scene at 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 45 seconds.
H3 FAQ 4: How do I cite a movie if I don’t know the director’s name?
While rare, if you truly cannot find the director’s name, you can begin the citation with the title of the movie. This is not ideal, so try to find the director through reliable sources like IMDb.
H3 FAQ 5: How do I cite a documentary film?
The citation format for a documentary film is the same as for a feature film, using the director as the primary author and noting the year of release and production company.
H3 FAQ 6: What if a movie has been digitally remastered or re-released?
Cite the version you watched. Include the year of the original release and the year of the remastered or re-released version, if relevant to your argument. For example, “Lucas, George, director. Star Wars: A New Hope (Special Edition). 20th Century Fox, 1977, re-released 1997.”
H3 FAQ 7: How do I cite a film series or franchise?
If you are referencing the entire film series, you can use the series title and then list each film individually in your bibliography, cited as described above. If you are only referencing one film within the series, cite that specific film.
H3 FAQ 8: Do I need to include the running time of the movie in my citation?
No, the running time is not typically included in a movie citation. Focus on the essential elements mentioned above.
H3 FAQ 9: How do I cite supplementary material like DVD commentary or behind-the-scenes footage?
Cite the individual responsible for the commentary (e.g., the director or writer) and the title of the commentary or footage. Include the name of the movie and the medium (DVD, Blu-ray).
H3 FAQ 10: What if a movie is based on a book? Should I cite the book as well?
Yes, if your analysis relies on both the movie and the source book, you should cite both. Cite the movie as described above and cite the book following the appropriate citation format for books. Indicate the adaptation in your text.
H3 FAQ 11: How do I cite an interview with someone involved in the movie?
Cite the interview as you would any other interview, specifying the interviewee, interviewer (if applicable), publication or broadcast source, and date.
H3 FAQ 12: Where can I find more information about specific citation style guidelines?
Consult the official style manuals for MLA, APA, and Chicago. Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is also an excellent resource for detailed explanations and examples. Your institution’s library website often provides helpful citation guides as well.
Final Cut: Ensuring Accuracy
Creating a movie bibliography might initially seem daunting, but by understanding the core principles and following these guidelines, you can accurately and effectively cite cinematic sources in your academic and professional work. Remember to consistently adhere to the specific citation style required, double-check your entries for accuracy, and consult reliable resources when in doubt. Accurate citation is paramount to intellectual honesty and enhances the credibility of your research. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create flawless movie bibliographies, showcasing your meticulous attention to detail and respect for the cinematic arts. Now, go forth and cite with confidence!