Quoting a movie in an APA style essay involves citing both the scene’s spoken dialogue and the film itself, accurately crediting the source and enabling readers to easily locate the reference. The in-text citation should pinpoint the relevant scene, while the reference list entry provides complete information about the film.
Why Properly Cite Movie Quotes in APA Style Matters
The integrity of academic writing hinges on accurate and ethical sourcing. Failing to properly cite movie quotes, even short snippets of dialogue, constitutes plagiarism. Adhering to APA guidelines not only avoids academic dishonesty but also lends credibility to your arguments by demonstrating thorough research and a respect for intellectual property. Furthermore, clear citations allow readers to verify your sources and delve deeper into the cinematic texts you’re referencing. This fosters a more robust and informed academic discussion.
The APA Style Guide: The Foundation
The American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guide provides the definitive guidelines for academic writing across numerous disciplines. While the guide explicitly details citation practices for books, journal articles, and other print sources, citing movies requires some adaptation. The core principle remains consistent: provide sufficient information for readers to locate the original source. The key is combining elements specific to films, like directors and distributors, with the general APA format.
In-Text Citations: Direct Quotes & Paraphrases
Direct Quotes
When directly quoting dialogue from a film, you need to include the quote itself, the director’s name (or the writers if director is unavailable), the year of release, and a timestamp indicating the specific moment in the film where the dialogue occurs. If no timestamp is available, you may use a scene number, but this is less preferred in APA.
- Example: As Rick Blaine famously declares, “We’ll always have Paris” (Curtiz, 1942, 01:42:30).
Here, Curtiz refers to Michael Curtiz (the director), 1942 is the year of release, and 01:42:30 signifies the timestamp – 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 30 seconds into the film.
-
Short Quotes (Less Than 40 Words): Integrate the quote directly into your text, using quotation marks.
-
Long Quotes (40 Words or More): Format the quote as a block quote. Start the quote on a new line, indent the entire block half an inch from the left margin, and omit quotation marks. Still include the parenthetical citation at the end.
Paraphrases
If you paraphrase dialogue or summarize a scene’s events, you still need to cite the source. While you don’t use quotation marks, you must provide the director, year, and relevant timestamp (or scene number) to acknowledge the source of your information.
- Example: The film portrays the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition (Welles, 1941, 00:55:12).
Reference List Entry: Citing the Entire Film
The reference list entry provides the complete information about the film, allowing readers to easily locate the source. The format generally follows this structure:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of the movie [Film]. Production Company.
-
Director’s Name: List the director’s last name, followed by their initials.
-
Year of Release: The year the film was initially released.
-
Title of the Movie: Italicize the title of the movie.
-
[Film]: Add this descriptor in brackets to clarify the source type.
-
Production Company: List the main production company or distributor.
-
Example:
Curtiz, M. (Director). (1942). Casablanca [Film]. Warner Bros.
12 Essential FAQs About Citing Movies in APA
Here are 12 FAQs to further clarify nuances related to movie citations in APA style:
FAQ 1: What if a film has multiple directors?
If a film has multiple directors, list them all in the reference list entry, separated by commas. In the in-text citation, use the first director listed followed by “et al.”
FAQ 2: How do I cite a movie scene if I don’t have a timestamp?
While timestamps are preferable, if unavailable, provide a brief description of the scene or use the scene number (if available). Example: (Tarantino, 1994, opening diner scene). If scene numbers exist on the DVD or streaming platform, you can use these, although less preferred in APA style.
FAQ 3: What if the film is only available on a streaming service?
Include the streaming service in the reference list entry after the production company. Example: Warner Bros., Netflix.
FAQ 4: Do I need to include the writers in the citation?
If the director is not easily determinable or credited, you can cite the writers instead. Use “(Writers)” instead of “(Director)” in the reference list entry.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a documentary film?
The citation format remains the same as a feature film. Specify “[Film]” after the title to indicate the source type.
FAQ 6: What if I am citing a specific line or character from the film?
While you generally cite the film as a whole, you can mention the character’s name in your text to provide context. However, the citation remains focused on the film itself.
FAQ 7: How do I cite deleted scenes or director’s cuts?
If you are citing a version that differs significantly from the original release, clearly indicate this in your reference list entry. You could add “(Director’s Cut)” after the title, for instance.
FAQ 8: Is the year listed in the in-text citation the copyright date or the release date?
Use the release date, as it reflects when the work became publicly available.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a movie clip used in another video?
You should cite both the original film from which the clip is taken and the video where you found the clip. Focus your citation on the original source, i.e., the film, indicating the clip’s source in the surrounding text. If the video offers additional information about the clip (e.g., context or analysis), you may cite the video as a secondary source to support your interpretation.
FAQ 10: What if the movie title is in a foreign language?
Italicize the original title and provide an English translation in brackets after the title. *Example: *La Vita รจ Bella* [Life is Beautiful] [Film].*
FAQ 11: Do I need to cite the actors in the film?
No, in APA style, you typically don’t cite actors in the citation. The focus is on the director (or writers) and the film itself. You can mention actors’ names in your narrative to add context.
FAQ 12: What is the difference between citing a movie and citing a TV show episode?
The primary difference lies in the detail. For TV shows, you need to include the season and episode number in the in-text citation and episode title in the reference list entry. Movie citations, as detailed above, focus solely on the film title and year.
Conclusion: Ensuring Academic Integrity with Cinematic Citations
Mastering the art of citing movies in APA style requires attention to detail and a commitment to academic integrity. By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of movie citations, you can confidently incorporate cinematic references into your academic writing, enriching your arguments and demonstrating your scholarly rigor. Remember to always prioritize accuracy and clarity to ensure that your readers can easily locate and verify your sources. Proper citation not only protects you from accusations of plagiarism but also adds credibility and depth to your scholarly work.