Referencing movies correctly is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due. In APA 7th Edition, referencing a movie requires a specific format including the director(s), year of release, title, and production company to ensure accuracy and clarity for your readers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing examples and answering frequently asked questions to help you confidently cite films in your work.
The Core Components of an APA 7th Edition Movie Reference
Creating a correct APA 7th edition movie reference involves several essential elements. Let’s break them down:
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Director(s): Begin with the director’s last name, followed by their initials. If there are multiple directors, separate their names with commas and an ampersand (&) before the last director.
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Year of Release: Include the year the movie was released in parentheses.
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Title: Provide the full title of the movie in italics. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, as well as proper nouns.
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Production Company(s): Indicate the production company or companies responsible for the film. If there are multiple companies, separate them with a semicolon (;).
The general format for a movie reference in APA 7th Edition is as follows:
Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of movie. Production Company(s).
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park. Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures.
Variations and Specific Scenarios
While the core format remains consistent, certain situations require slight adjustments. These include:
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Referencing a Specific Scene: If you’re referring to a specific scene, you can mention it parenthetically within your text. For example: “(The raptor kitchen scene in Jurassic Park, 1993, is a classic example of suspenseful filmmaking.)”
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Streaming Services: When viewing a movie on a streaming service, you do not include the service in the reference. The reference focuses on the core details of the film itself.
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Missing Information: If information like the director or production company is unavailable, omit it. However, always strive to find complete details whenever possible.
Example with Multiple Directors
Scott, R., & Fiennes, M. (Directors). (1996). White Squall. Hollywood Pictures; Largo Entertainment.
Incorporating the Reference into Your Text
When citing a movie in your text, use the director’s last name and the year of release in parentheses.
Example:
Spielberg (1993) masterfully uses suspense in Jurassic Park.
Or:
Jurassic Park (Spielberg, 1993) is a masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify referencing movies in APA 7th Edition:
FAQ 1: Do I need to include the country of origin?
No, the country of origin is not typically included in an APA 7th Edition movie reference. The focus is on the director, year, title, and production company.
FAQ 2: What if the movie has the same director and year as another movie I’m citing?
If you are citing multiple movies from the same director in the same year, add a letter (a, b, c, etc.) after the year to distinguish them. These letters should also be used in your in-text citations. For example:
- Spielberg, S. (Director). (1975a). Jaws. Zanuck/Brown Productions; Universal Pictures.
- Spielberg, S. (Director). (1975b). The Sugarland Express. Universal Pictures.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a documentary film?
The format for citing a documentary film is the same as for a regular movie. Follow the same guidelines, including the director, year, title, and production company.
FAQ 4: Should I italicize the entire movie title, including subtitles?
No. In APA 7th edition, you only italicize the entire movie title. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, as well as proper nouns. For example: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
FAQ 5: What if the production company is unknown?
If you cannot find the production company information, you can omit it from the reference. While complete information is ideal, omitting missing details is preferable to providing inaccurate ones.
FAQ 6: Can I use IMDb or Wikipedia to find the information I need?
While IMDb and Wikipedia can be helpful starting points, it’s crucial to verify the information with more reliable sources, such as the official movie website or credible film databases. Always double-check your information for accuracy.
FAQ 7: What if I am citing a foreign film?
The citation format remains the same for foreign films. Translate the title into English if necessary, but provide the original title in parentheses after the translated title. For example:
Kurosawa, A. (Director). (1954). Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai). Toho Company.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a movie clip or scene available online?
If the clip or scene is available as a separate entity online (e.g., on YouTube), treat it as an online video. The reference should include the uploader, year, title of the clip, and the source (e.g., YouTube). If it’s simply part of the original movie, cite the movie as described above and specify the scene within your text.
FAQ 9: What if the director is also the writer? Do I list them twice?
No, you only need to list the director once. If someone has multiple roles (e.g., director and writer), you still list them in the “Director” position.
FAQ 10: Is it necessary to include the URL if I watched the movie online?
No, including the URL is not necessary. The focus is on citing the movie itself, not the specific platform where you watched it.
FAQ 11: What if the movie is a remake or adaptation of another work?
Cite the movie you are referencing directly. If it’s relevant to your discussion, you can mention the original work in your text. However, the reference entry should be for the specific film you’re analyzing.
FAQ 12: Where do I place the movie reference in my paper?
The complete movie reference should be included in your reference list at the end of your paper, along with all other sources cited in your work. Ensure the reference list is alphabetized by the first author’s last name (in this case, the director’s last name).
By following these guidelines and addressing these FAQs, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your APA 7th Edition papers, ensuring proper attribution and maintaining academic integrity. Remember that consistent and correct citation practices are essential for building credibility and showcasing the thoroughness of your research.