Properly citing film titles in a research paper demonstrates academic rigor and acknowledges the source material that informs your analysis. Using the correct formatting conventions also allows readers to easily locate the film you’re discussing, fostering clarity and credibility in your work.
Why Citation Matters: The Academic Lens on Film
Film, like any other art form or scholarly work, deserves proper attribution when used as a source in academic writing. This goes beyond simply mentioning the title; it involves adhering to established citation styles to provide a clear and standardized reference for your readers. Failure to do so can be interpreted as plagiarism, even if unintentional, and detracts from the overall quality of your research. Moreover, correct citation elevates film studies as a legitimate and respected academic discipline, recognizing its contributions to our understanding of culture, history, and society.
Core Principles: Formatting Film Titles Across Styles
The specific formatting for film titles varies depending on the citation style your professor or publication requires. However, certain principles remain consistent across most styles:
- Italics for Feature Films: Generally, the titles of full-length feature films are italicized. This convention distinguishes them from shorter works like short films or television episodes.
- Quotations for Shorter Works: Short films, television episodes, and individual segments of an anthology film are usually enclosed in quotation marks.
- Capitalization: Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all principal words in the title, regardless of length. Articles (a, an, the), prepositions (of, in, to), and conjunctions (and, but, or) are typically lowercase, unless they appear at the beginning or end of the title.
- Original Language: When citing a film in its original language, follow the capitalization and punctuation rules of that language. If you provide a translation, place it in square brackets after the original title.
The three most commonly used styles are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago. Let’s explore each in detail:
MLA Style: A Focus on Literary and Humanistic Studies
MLA style, frequently used in literature, language, and humanities disciplines, emphasizes author and work information.
- Feature Films: Citizen Kane
- Short Films/Episodes: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- Parenthetical Citation: (Welles 1941)
- Works Cited Entry: Welles, Orson, director. Citizen Kane. RKO Pictures, 1941.
In the Works Cited entry, include the director’s name, title of the film, production company, and year of release. You may also include other relevant information, such as performers, writers, or streaming services, depending on your needs.
APA Style: Emphasizing Date and Creator
APA style, predominantly used in psychology, education, and other social sciences, prioritizes the date of publication.
- Feature Films: Citizen Kane
- Short Films/Episodes: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- Parenthetical Citation: (Welles, 1941)
- References Entry: Welles, O. (Director). (1941). Citizen Kane [Film]. RKO Pictures.
In the References entry, indicate the director’s role using the term “(Director)” in parentheses after their name. Specify that it’s a “[Film]” in square brackets after the title.
Chicago Style: Precision and Flexibility
Chicago style, utilized in a wide range of disciplines, offers two primary variations: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date.
Notes and Bibliography:
- Feature Films: Citizen Kane
- Short Films/Episodes: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- Note/Footnote: 1. Orson Welles, director, Citizen Kane (RKO Pictures, 1941).
- Bibliography Entry: Welles, Orson, director. Citizen Kane. RKO Pictures, 1941.
Author-Date:
- Feature Films: Citizen Kane
- Short Films/Episodes: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
- Parenthetical Citation: (Welles 1941)
- References Entry: Welles, Orson (Director). 1941. Citizen Kane. RKO Pictures.
In both variations of Chicago style, italicize the title of feature films and use quotation marks for shorter works. The Author-Date system is similar to APA but slightly different in formatting.
Navigating the Nuances: Specific Scenarios
Beyond the basic rules, several situations require specific attention:
- Anthology Films: If you are citing a specific segment of an anthology film, put the segment title in quotation marks and the overall film title in italics. For example: “The Kick Inside” segment of Three Extremes.
- Films with Remakes: To avoid confusion, specify the year of release when discussing remakes of the same film. For example: Psycho (1960) versus Psycho (1998).
- Documentaries: Treat documentaries the same as feature films, italicizing the title.
- Foreign Films: Cite the original title first, followed by the English translation in square brackets if needed. For example: La Dolce Vita [The Sweet Life].
- Streaming Services: When citing a film viewed on a streaming service, include the service in your Works Cited or References entry. For example: Roma. Netflix, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, you can omit the director’s name from the citation and begin with the film title. Be sure to verify the information thoroughly before concluding that the director is truly unknown.
FAQ 2: How do I cite a film series (e.g., the Harry Potter films)?
If you are discussing the series as a whole, you can refer to it as the “Harry Potter film series.” If you are citing a specific film within the series, follow the standard guidelines for citing feature films.
FAQ 3: What if I’m analyzing the screenplay instead of the film itself?
Cite the screenplay as you would a book, including the author (screenwriter), title of the screenplay, publisher, and year of publication. If the screenplay is unpublished, treat it as an unpublished manuscript.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a film review?
Cite the film review as you would any other article, including the author (reviewer), title of the review, publication name, and date of publication.
FAQ 5: Should I include the running time of the film in my citation?
Including the running time is not typically required in standard citation formats, but it can be helpful in certain contexts, especially if you are discussing the film’s length or pacing. If you choose to include it, place it after the title and year of release.
FAQ 6: What if the film has multiple directors?
List all directors, separated by commas. If there are more than three directors, you can use the abbreviation “et al.” after the first director’s name.
FAQ 7: How do I handle titles within titles (e.g., a film called “A Song from Casablanca“)?
If the title within the title is typically italicized, use regular font for that portion. For example: A Song from Casablanca.
FAQ 8: What if I’m using a specific version of the film (e.g., a director’s cut)?
Indicate the version in parentheses after the title. For example: Blade Runner (Director’s Cut).
FAQ 9: Is it necessary to include the country of origin in the citation?
Including the country of origin is not typically required, but it can be helpful if you are discussing the film’s cultural context or production history.
FAQ 10: What if I’m citing a clip from a film found on YouTube?
Cite the clip as you would any other online video, including the uploader’s name, title of the video, website (YouTube), and date of upload. Include the film’s director and title in the description.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a film still that appears in my paper?
In your figure caption, include the film title (italicized), director, production company, and year of release. You may also need to seek permission to use the image, depending on copyright restrictions.
FAQ 12: Are there any citation generators specifically designed for films?
While general citation generators can be helpful, double-check the formatting to ensure it adheres to your required style guide. Some film studies resources may offer specialized citation tools. Always verify the output against the official style guide.
Conclusion: Citation as Scholarly Responsibility
Accurate and consistent citation is a cornerstone of academic integrity. By mastering the conventions for citing film titles, you demonstrate your commitment to rigorous scholarship and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding cinema. Remember to consult your specific style guide for detailed instructions and examples, and always prioritize clarity and accuracy in your citations.