Referencing a film in Chicago Manual of Style requires meticulous attention to detail, mirroring the precision of filmmaking itself. The basic format prioritizes clarity and accessibility, ensuring readers can easily locate the cited work. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Chicago style film citations, covering both notes-bibliography and author-date formats, along with common variations and frequently asked questions.
Understanding Chicago Style Film Citation
Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary citation systems: notes-bibliography (NB) and author-date. While both achieve the same goal – attributing sources – they differ in their presentation. The notes-bibliography system uses footnotes or endnotes to cite sources, with a corresponding bibliography at the end of the work. The author-date system, more common in the sciences, uses parenthetical citations within the text, referencing entries in a reference list.
Notes-Bibliography Film Citation
The notes-bibliography system is generally preferred in humanities disciplines when citing films. Here’s the basic structure for a footnote or endnote:
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Note: Title of Film (Year of Release; City of Origin: Production Company, Year of Release), Director’s Name.
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Bibliography: Title of Film. Year of Release; City of Origin: Production Company, Year of Release. Directed by Director’s Name.
For example:
- Note: Casablanca (1942; Burbank, CA: Warner Bros., 1942), directed by Michael Curtiz.
- Bibliography: Casablanca. 1942; Burbank, CA: Warner Bros., 1942. Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Key elements to remember:
- The film title is italicized.
- The year of release appears twice. Once immediately after the title, and again within the publication information.
- Include the city of origin and the production company.
- “Directed by” precedes the director’s name.
Author-Date Film Citation
The author-date system, while less common for films in humanities, can be used when appropriate. In this system, a brief parenthetical citation appears within the text, referring to a full entry in the reference list.
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In-text citation: (Director’s Last Name Year)
- Example: (Curtiz 1942)
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Reference List: Director’s Last Name, Director’s First Name. Year. Title of Film. City of Origin: Production Company.
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Example: Curtiz, Michael. 1942. Casablanca. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros.
Key differences from Notes-Bibliography:
- The in-text citation is concise, using the director’s last name and the year.
- The reference list entry places the director’s name first.
- No “Directed by” is included in the reference list entry.
Common Variations and Additional Information
While the basic formats provide a foundation, certain situations require adjustments. These include films with multiple directors, films viewed online, and highlighting specific sections within a film.
Citing Films with Multiple Directors
When a film has multiple directors, list them separated by “and.”
- Note (NB): Singin’ in the Rain (1952; Burbank, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952), directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly.
- Reference List (Author-Date): Donen, Stanley, and Gene Kelly. 1952. Singin’ in the Rain. Burbank, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Citing Films Viewed Online
If you viewed the film online, include the streaming service and the URL.
- Note (NB): Roma (2018; Mexico City: Esperanto Filmoj, 2018), directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix, https://www.netflix.com/title/80241665.
- Reference List (Author-Date): Cuarón, Alfonso. 2018. Roma. Mexico City: Esperanto Filmoj. Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/title/80241665.
Referencing Specific Scenes
When focusing on a particular scene, you can include a timestamp. This is especially helpful in academic writing that analyzes specific moments in a film.
- Note (NB): Pulp Fiction (1994; Los Angeles, CA: Miramax Films, 1994), directed by Quentin Tarantino, 0:35:10-0:36:00.
- Reference List (Author-Date): Tarantino, Quentin. 1994. Pulp Fiction. Los Angeles, CA: Miramax Films.
Citing a Film Review
To cite a film review, follow the standard citation format for a journal article or a website, depending on where the review was published. Be sure to include the title of the review and the name of the film being reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify specific aspects of citing films in Chicago Manual of Style:
FAQ 1: Do I always need to include the city of origin?
While not strictly mandatory, including the city of origin adds valuable context. It helps readers understand the film’s production context. If the city is unknown or difficult to ascertain, it can be omitted.
FAQ 2: What if the director is also the producer?
You generally only list the director. If the film is primarily attributed to the producer’s vision, you can substitute the director’s name with the producer’s name and title (e.g., “Produced by…”). This is a judgment call based on the film’s production circumstances.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a film script that has been published?
Treat the script as a book. Include the author (screenwriter), title of the script, publisher, and year of publication. You would also need to specify “screenplay” or “script” after the title.
FAQ 4: What if a film has no director credited?
If no director is explicitly credited, use “Directed by Anonymous” or “Director Unknown”.
FAQ 5: Can I use abbreviations in the citation (e.g., “Dir.” for “Directed by”)?
No. Chicago Manual of Style generally prefers full words, especially in the bibliography.
FAQ 6: How do I cite bonus features or commentaries included on a DVD or Blu-ray?
Treat the commentary as a chapter in an edited book. Cite the commentator as the author of the chapter, the title of the commentary, and then the title of the film, editor (if applicable), edition, and publication information. Indicate that it is a commentary in the citation.
FAQ 7: What if the film has a different title in another country?
Use the title that is most familiar to your audience. If you need to acknowledge the alternative title, you can include it in parentheses after the primary title.
FAQ 8: Is it okay to use “n.d.” if the film has no release date?
While “n.d.” (no date) is acceptable, it’s crucial to make a diligent effort to find the release year. Reliable online databases like IMDb or the AFI Catalog are helpful resources.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a film adaptation of a book?
Cite the film as you normally would, but you can add a parenthetical note to indicate that it is “based on the novel by [Author’s Name].” This provides crucial context for your readers.
FAQ 10: What if the production company is unknown?
Similar to the city of origin, if the production company is truly unknown, you can omit it. However, attempt to find this information first.
FAQ 11: Should I include the running time of the film?
The running time is not typically included in a Chicago style film citation. However, you can include it if you believe it is relevant to your argument.
FAQ 12: When citing a specific version of a film (e.g., director’s cut), how should I note that?
Include the version information after the title of the film, separated by a comma. For example: Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982; Burbank, CA: Warner Bros., 2007), directed by Ridley Scott. The 2007 year refers to the release year of the director’s cut.
By adhering to these guidelines and understanding the nuances of Chicago Manual of Style, you can ensure your film citations are accurate, consistent, and contribute to the overall credibility of your work. Remember to consult the official Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date information and specific cases.