The meticulous scholar, when faced with quoting a film dialogue or scene presented within an article they are citing, faces a unique Turabian citation challenge. The key lies in acknowledging both the original film and the secondary source where you encountered the quotation; essentially, you are citing a quotation within a quotation. This involves crafting a citation that provides a clear lineage back to both the film itself and the author who chose to incorporate it into their work.
Navigating the Labyrinth: Citing a Film Quote from an Article
Turabian style, known for its precision and detail, demands careful attention when dealing with complex sources like film quotations found within articles. The correct approach hinges on the concept of a secondary source or an indirect source. We are, in effect, not directly viewing the film but encountering it filtered through the lens of another author.
The Footnote/Endnote Structure
The backbone of Turabian citation is the footnote or endnote. When citing a film quotation found within an article, the note should first cite the article where you found the quote. Then, within the same note, indicate that the quote is from the film and provide the necessary film details.
Here’s a general template:
[Footnote/Endnote Number]. Author of Article, "Title of Article," *Journal Title* Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Number, quoting *Film Title*, directed by Director's Name (Production Company, Year of Release).
Let’s illustrate with an example:
1. Jane Doe, "The Existential Angst of Superhero Cinema," *Journal of Film Studies* 25, no. 3 (2023): 45, quoting *Casablanca*, directed by Michael Curtiz (Warner Bros., 1942).
This structure accomplishes several things:
- Credits the Article: Acknowledges the author and publication where you encountered the quote.
- Identifies the Quote’s Location: Specifies the page number where the quote appears within the article.
- Points to the Original Source: Clearly states that the quote originates from the film Casablanca.
- Provides Essential Film Details: Includes the director, production company, and release year of the film for unambiguous identification.
The Bibliography Entry
While the footnote/endnote focuses on the specific instance of the quote, the bibliography typically includes only the article that you consulted. Unless you directly viewed and cited the film elsewhere in your work, you would not normally include a separate bibliography entry for Casablanca in this scenario. The footnote serves as the connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What if the article doesn’t explicitly state the director of the film?
If the article you’re citing doesn’t provide the director’s name, you can omit it, but it’s always best to search online resources like IMDb (Internet Movie Database) to find the information. Accuracy is paramount in scholarly writing. If, after a reasonable search, the director remains unknown, indicate that the director is “directed by Unknown” or “dir. Unknown.”
2. What if the article quotes multiple lines of dialogue from the same scene?
If you’re quoting multiple lines of dialogue from the same scene within the same article, you only need to cite the article and the film details once in the initial footnote. Subsequent references to the same scene within that same article can be shortened using the term “Ibid.” followed by the new page number within the article, if applicable. For example:
2. Ibid., 47.
If you’re referring to a different scene from the same film in the same article, you would still cite the article again but would include a specific reference to the new scene if possible.
3. Should I transcribe the film quote directly from the article, even if there are minor inaccuracies?
It’s crucial to strive for accuracy. If you notice minor discrepancies between the film’s actual dialogue and the quote presented in the article, you have a few options:
- Correct it and Add a Note: You can correct the error and add a footnote mentioning that you’ve corrected a minor inaccuracy in the original source.
- Quote Exactly as It Appears and Add a Note: Quote the passage exactly as it appears in the article, followed by “emphasis added” or “[sic]” to indicate that the error is in the original source.
- View the Film Directly: Ideally, verify the quote by directly watching the film and transcribing it accurately. In this case, you would cite the film directly, not the article as a secondary source.
4. How do I handle a film quote translated into English in a foreign-language article?
If the article presents a translated film quote, you should indicate this in your citation. A suggested format is:
[Footnote/Endnote Number]. Author of Article, "Title of Article," *Journal Title* Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Number, quoting *Film Title*, directed by Director's Name (Production Company, Year of Release), translated from [Original Language].
For example:
3. Maria Rodriguez, "La Influencia de Hollywood en el Cine Español," *Revista de Cine* 12, no. 1 (2022): 62, quoting *Pulp Fiction*, directed by Quentin Tarantino (Miramax Films, 1994), translated from English.
5. What if the article only provides a vague reference to a film scene, without direct quotes?
If the article merely alludes to a scene without providing a direct quote, you would adapt the citation accordingly. You would cite the article, indicating that the author refers to a particular scene in the film. For example:
4. David Miller, "The Use of Symbolism in Film Noir," *Film Quarterly* 30, no. 4 (2021): 89, discussing the scene where Rick says goodbye to Ilsa in *Casablanca*, directed by Michael Curtiz (Warner Bros., 1942).
6. Can I omit the production company in the film citation?
While including the production company enhances the citation’s clarity, it can be omitted if the information is unavailable or difficult to ascertain. However, prioritize providing the director and year of release for accurate identification.
7. What if the article cites the film incorrectly?
If the article contains inaccuracies in its citation of the film (e.g., incorrect director or year), it is ethically imperative to correct the information based on your own research. Then, add a note indicating that you have corrected the citation.
8. How do I cite a film quote found on a website that is citing an article that quotes the film?
This situation introduces an additional layer of complexity. You are essentially dealing with a tertiary source. Ideally, you should attempt to locate the original article and cite it directly. If that is not possible, you would cite the website, indicating that it cites an article that quotes the film. This becomes a very long, and potentially confusing, citation. It is strongly recommended to make every effort to find the original article.
9. What if I’m using Chicago style instead of Turabian style (which are very similar)?
Chicago and Turabian styles are closely related. Turabian is essentially a student-friendly version of the more comprehensive Chicago Manual of Style. The principles for citing a film quote found in an article remain the same: acknowledge the secondary source (the article) and then indicate the original source (the film). However, consult the Chicago Manual of Style for any specific nuances or variations in formatting.
10. Does the format change if I’m using author-date style instead of notes-bibliography style?
Yes, the author-date style, a common alternative within Turabian, requires a different approach. The in-text citation would reference the author and year of the article, followed by a brief mention of the film in the sentence itself. The bibliography would then include an entry only for the article. The film would not have its own bibliography entry unless you consulted it directly. For instance: “As Doe (2023) argues, the dialogue in the final scene of Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942) perfectly encapsulates…” The Bibliography would then only contain “Doe, Jane. 2023. “The Existential Angst of Superhero Cinema.” Journal of Film Studies 25 (3): 40-60.”
11. Is it ever acceptable to simply cite the article without mentioning the film?
No. Omitting the source of the quote (the film) would be misleading. You must always acknowledge the original source, even when encountering it through a secondary source.
12. If the film quote is part of a lengthy block quotation in the article, how should I handle the citation?
Even within a block quotation, the same principle applies. Cite the article where you found the block quotation, and then clearly indicate within the footnote that the included film quote is from the specified film, directed by the director and released in the year indicated. Clarity is key, ensuring your reader understands the provenance of the material you are using.