In-text citation for a film in MLA 8 requires providing the title of the film (or a shortened version if it’s long) or the director’s last name in parentheses, usually followed by the specific time range being referenced. This guides the reader to the full citation in the Works Cited list and establishes the source of your information.
Understanding MLA 8’s In-Text Citation Requirements
MLA 8, the current edition of the Modern Language Association’s handbook, emphasizes a source’s core elements to identify it. For films, this typically includes the director, title, release year, and distributor. The in-text citation acts as a bridge, connecting your analysis to the full citation at the end of your work. It’s crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due.
The most common scenario involves citing a specific scene or a moment within the film. In such cases, you’ll need to incorporate the time stamp into your parenthetical citation. This allows readers to pinpoint the exact location of your cited material. Failure to properly cite your sources can result in accusations of plagiarism, so meticulous attention to detail is paramount.
Practical Applications: How to Cite Different Film Scenarios
Citing the Entire Film
When you’re discussing the film as a whole, rather than a specific scene, you can simply use the film title or the director’s last name in your in-text citation. For example:
- ( Casablanca )
- (Curtiz)
Citing a Specific Scene or Dialogue
When citing a specific moment in the film, include the time stamp after the title or director’s name. The time stamp should be in hours:minutes:seconds format (if applicable). For example:
- ( Casablanca 00:45:12)
- (Curtiz 00:45:12)
Dealing with Films with Multiple Directors
If a film has multiple directors, you can use the name of the primary director (if known). Alternatively, you can use the title of the film. In the Works Cited entry, list all directors.
Citing a Film Quoted from Another Source
If you are citing a film based on information you found in another source (e.g., a book, article, or website), you should cite the secondary source, not the film itself. This is because you are relying on the analysis and interpretation of the secondary source. Indicate the secondary source in your Works Cited entry and the in-text citation.
FAQs: Mastering the Nuances of Film Citation
Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of citing films in MLA 8:
FAQ 1: What if the film title is very long?
If the film title is exceptionally long, you can use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation. Make sure the shortened title is easily recognizable and corresponds to the full title in your Works Cited entry. For example, if the film is Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, you could use (Dr. Strangelove).
FAQ 2: Do I need to include the year of release in the in-text citation?
No, the year of release is not required in the in-text citation. It is, however, a crucial element of the full citation in your Works Cited list. The in-text citation only needs to provide enough information to guide the reader to the corresponding entry in the Works Cited.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a film I watched online via a streaming service?
When citing a film you watched online, the full citation in your Works Cited should include the name of the streaming service (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video) and the URL. The in-text citation remains the same, using either the film title or the director’s name.
FAQ 4: What if I don’t know the director’s name?
If the director’s name is unavailable, use the film title in your in-text citation. This is always a safe and reliable option.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a film that is part of a larger series?
When citing a film within a series, cite the specific film you are referencing, not the entire series. The full citation should include the film’s title and, if relevant, the series title. The in-text citation will focus on the individual film.
FAQ 6: What if the film doesn’t have a director listed?
While rare, if a film truly has no credited director, use the title of the film as your in-text citation and consider if the source meets your research standards.
FAQ 7: Should I include page numbers for screenplays?
Page numbers are typically not used for films. Instead, rely on time stamps to pinpoint specific scenes or dialogue. If you’re citing a published screenplay, then you would use page numbers if referencing content specific to the screenplay and not the film itself.
FAQ 8: How do I format the time stamp?
The time stamp should be formatted as hours:minutes:seconds (HH:MM:SS). If the scene you’re citing occurs within the first hour, you can omit the hours and use minutes:seconds (MM:SS). Ensure consistency throughout your work.
FAQ 9: What if I’m citing the same film multiple times?
If you are citing the same film multiple times in close succession, you can use the same in-text citation format for each instance. However, if you switch to citing other sources in between, reintroduce the full in-text citation for clarity.
FAQ 10: Can I use footnotes instead of parenthetical citations?
MLA primarily uses parenthetical citations. While footnotes can be used for explanatory notes, they are generally not used for citing sources. Consult your professor or instructor for specific guidelines.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a documentary film?
The principles are the same for documentary films as for fictional films. Use the title or the director’s name in your in-text citation, along with a time stamp if citing a specific moment.
FAQ 12: What if I’m analyzing the film’s cinematography or editing?
Even when analyzing technical aspects like cinematography or editing, the core principles of in-text citation remain the same. Use the title or director’s name, and include a time stamp to specify the scene you are discussing. This allows readers to understand the context of your analysis and verify your observations. For example: ( Citizen Kane 01:12:30) shows the masterful use of deep focus.