Referencing a movie in MLA style involves crafting a meticulous citation that allows readers to locate the film while acknowledging the contributions of its key creators. The basic structure includes the movie title (italicized), director, distributor, and year of release, followed by a pinpoint citation if referring to a specific scene or moment.
Understanding the Fundamentals of MLA Movie Citations
The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides a standardized format for citing sources in academic writing, ensuring consistency and clarity. When it comes to movies, the goal is to accurately and comprehensively acknowledge the work of the individuals involved in its creation, allowing readers to easily identify and locate the film. This section will break down the essential elements of an MLA movie citation.
The Core Elements of an MLA Movie Citation
The core components of an MLA movie citation are arranged in a specific order to ensure readability and consistency. Let’s examine each element individually:
- Title of the Movie: This is the most crucial element and should be italicized. Follow the capitalization rules used in the movie title itself.
- Director: The director is considered the primary creative force behind the film. List the director’s full name (e.g., John Smith). Use “dir.” to indicate their role.
- Distributor: The distributor is the company responsible for releasing and distributing the film.
- Year of Release: This is the year the movie was originally released in theaters.
The Basic Citation Structure
Putting these elements together, the basic structure of an MLA movie citation is as follows:
- Title of Movie. Dir. Director’s Name. Distributor, Year.
Example: Casablanca. Dir. Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros., 1942.
Citing Specific Scenes or Moments
When referencing a specific scene or moment within a movie, you need to provide a pinpoint citation. This can be done by including a timestamp (e.g., 0:30:15, indicating 30 minutes, 15 seconds into the film) or a scene description. The timestamp is preferred for accuracy. This pinpoint information is added after the main citation.
Example: Casablanca. Dir. Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros., 1942. 0:45:00.
Delving Deeper: Variations and Specific Scenarios
While the basic structure provides a solid foundation, various scenarios require slightly different approaches. This section explores these variations to ensure you’re prepared for any citation challenge.
Citing Streaming Services
With the rise of streaming, citing movies watched on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu requires additional information. You should include the platform name and the URL if available, after the original movie details.
Example: Roma. Dir. Alfonso Cuarón. Netflix, 2018. www.netflix.com/title/80241222.
Citing a Movie Viewed on DVD or Blu-ray
When citing a movie viewed on physical media, such as DVD or Blu-ray, the distributor refers to the company that distributed the physical copy, which may be different from the original theatrical distributor.
Example: Psycho. Dir. Alfred Hitchcock. Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2012. [This assumes you watched a 2012 DVD/Blu-ray release, not the original theatrical release].
Citing a Specific Actor’s Performance
If you’re specifically discussing an actor’s performance, you can include their name in the citation, preceded by “Perf.”:
Example: The Godfather. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. Perf. Marlon Brando. Paramount Pictures, 1972.
MLA Movie Citation: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify and solidify your understanding of MLA movie citations.
FAQ 1: Do I always need to include the director in the citation?
Yes, the director is a crucial element of an MLA movie citation. They are considered the primary artistic voice behind the film.
FAQ 2: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them all, separated by commas.
Example: Finding Nemo. Dir. Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. Walt Disney Pictures, 2003.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a foreign film?
Cite the film title in its original language. If you watched a version with subtitles, you don’t need to mention the subtitles in the citation itself.
FAQ 4: What if the distributor is unknown?
If the distributor is unknown, omit this element from the citation.
FAQ 5: How do I handle a remake of a movie?
Cite the remake separately, as it is a distinct work. Include the director, distributor, and year of release for the remake.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a deleted scene or special feature from a DVD/Blu-ray?
Treat it as a separate source. Include the title of the scene or feature (in quotation marks), the title of the movie (italicized), and the relevant information about the DVD/Blu-ray.
Example: “Deleted Scene: The Bar Fight.” Fight Club. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 1999.
FAQ 7: Is it okay to use a citation generator?
While citation generators can be helpful, they are not always accurate. Always double-check the generated citation against the official MLA guidelines. Reliance on automatic generators without careful verification can lead to errors.
FAQ 8: Do I need to include the country of origin?
No, you generally do not need to include the country of origin in an MLA movie citation.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a movie script?
Cite the script as you would a book, including the author (the screenwriter), the title of the script (italicized), the publisher (if applicable), and the year of publication.
FAQ 10: How do I cite a movie review?
Cite the review as you would any other article, including the author of the review, the title of the review (in quotation marks), the title of the publication (italicized), the date of publication, and the URL (if accessed online). Also, include the movie title and director within the review citation, typically near the beginning.
FAQ 11: What if I am citing a short film?
The same principles apply to short films. Follow the basic citation structure, including the title of the film (italicized), director, distributor, and year of release.
FAQ 12: Is the placement of the period at the end of the citation crucial?
Yes, the placement of the period is essential for proper MLA formatting. The period should be placed after the year of release or the URL (if included).
Conclusion: Ensuring Accuracy and Academic Integrity
Mastering MLA movie citations is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper credit to the creators of the films you reference. By understanding the core elements, variations, and addressing potential challenges through these FAQs, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your academic work. Remember to always consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.