In Modern Language Association (MLA) style, movie titles are italicized. This convention distinguishes them from shorter works, such as songs or short stories, which are placed in quotation marks.
Understanding MLA Citations for Film
When incorporating movies into your academic writing, adhering to MLA guidelines is crucial for maintaining credibility and acknowledging your sources appropriately. Correctly citing movies allows readers to easily locate the films you reference, ensuring transparency and academic integrity. This guide provides a thorough overview of MLA formatting for movie titles and related considerations.
Italicization: The Foundation
The core principle of citing movie titles in MLA lies in italicization. This rule applies regardless of whether you are mentioning the title within the body of your text or in your Works Cited page. Using italics signals to the reader that you are referring to a full-length film. For instance, you would write: Citizen Kane is considered a landmark achievement in filmmaking.
Beyond the Title: Citing Specific Scenes and Elements
While italicizing the movie title is the basic requirement, you might need to cite specific scenes or elements within a film. In such cases, be precise in your description and include relevant details. Consider mentioning the director, performers, or specific aspects of the film’s production.
Citing Movies in Your Writing
Referencing a movie within the body of your essay differs slightly from constructing a Works Cited entry. When embedding movie titles within your text, simply italicize the title. However, when delving deeper into analysis or quoting specific dialogue, consider adding context or specifying the scene. For instance:
“The iconic “Rosebud” scene in Citizen Kane exemplifies the use of symbolism.”
Furthermore, when writing about different versions of the same film (e.g., director’s cut vs. theatrical release), be specific about which version you are referring to in your text.
Creating a Works Cited Entry for Movies
The Works Cited entry provides comprehensive information about the movie, allowing readers to easily locate and verify your source. The fundamental elements of a Works Cited entry for a movie are:
- Title: Italicized, as always.
- Director: Listed with “dir.” after their name.
- Performers (Optional): You can include key actors. Use “Perf.”
- Distributor: The film’s production or distribution company.
- Year of Release: The original theatrical release year.
Here’s an example:
Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., 1990.
If you watched the film on a streaming service, include the platform as well:
Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., Netflix, 1990.
Different Formats and Sources
The specific format of your Works Cited entry may need adjustments depending on where you accessed the film. Streaming services, DVDs, and even theatrical screenings require slightly different information. The core components, however, remain consistent.
FAQs: Mastering the Nuances of Citing Movies in MLA
This section answers frequently asked questions to address common challenges and provide further clarification.
FAQ 1: What if the movie title already contains italics (e.g., a character’s name or another title)?
If a movie title inherently contains italics (e.g., A Girl Named Georgie or Gone With the Wind), retain the italics as they appear in the original title. There is no need to alter the formatting.
FAQ 2: Should I italicize TV show titles?
No. While individual episodes of a TV show are enclosed in quotation marks, TV show titles are italicized, similar to movie titles. For example: The Simpsons.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a movie review in MLA?
Cite a movie review just like any other article. The review’s title is in quotation marks, and the publication it appears in (whether online or in print) is italicized. The author and date of publication are also necessary.
FAQ 4: What if the director is unknown?
If the director of a movie is genuinely unknown, you can omit the “director” element from the Works Cited entry. Focus on other key details like the movie title, distributor, and year of release.
FAQ 5: Is it necessary to include performers in the Works Cited entry?
Including performers is optional. However, if your analysis focuses on specific actors or their performances, including them enhances the credibility and relevance of your citation. Use “Perf.” before the actors’ names.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a foreign film with a translated title?
When citing a foreign film, use the translated title in your essay and italicize it. In the Works Cited entry, include the original title as well, usually in parentheses after the translated title. For example:
(Essay) Fellini’s 8 ½ is a masterpiece of Italian cinema.
(Works Cited) Fellini, Federico, director. 8 ½ (Otto e mezzo). Cineriz, 1963.
FAQ 7: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them all in the Works Cited entry, separated by commas. For example:
Farrelly, Bobby, and Peter Farrelly, directors. Dumb and Dumber. New Line Cinema, 1994.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a short film?
Short films are treated differently from full-length feature films. Instead of italicizing the title, enclose it in quotation marks. For example: “La Jetée” is a groundbreaking short film.
FAQ 9: Should I include the running time of the movie in my citation?
No, the running time is not typically included in a standard MLA movie citation. Focus on the core elements: director, title, distributor, and year.
FAQ 10: How do I cite a scene within a movie specifically?
While you won’t cite a scene directly in the Works Cited, you can refer to it clearly in your essay. Provide enough context so readers understand which scene you’re discussing. For instance: “In the final confrontation scene of The Dark Knight, the Joker…”
FAQ 11: What if I accessed the movie through a university library database?
If you accessed the movie through a library database, include the name of the database in your Works Cited entry after the streaming platform or DVD information. For example:
Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., Netflix, ProQuest Film & Television Literature Index, 1990.
FAQ 12: What if the movie is based on a book? Do I need to cite the book as well?
If your analysis heavily relies on the relationship between the movie and the book it’s based on, it’s advisable to cite both. You can even create a separate Works Cited entry for each, highlighting their individual contributions to your argument. In the movie citation, you could also mention “Based on the novel by [Author’s Name].”
Conclusion
Mastering MLA citation for movies ensures academic integrity and enhances the clarity of your writing. By following these guidelines and consulting the FAQs, you can confidently and accurately incorporate films into your research and analysis. Remember that consistent and meticulous citation practices are fundamental to scholarly communication.