Citing a movie in APA style requires a specific format to ensure proper attribution and allow readers to locate the source material. The basic APA citation for a movie includes the director’s last name, first initial, (Director), the year of release, the title of the movie (italicized), and the notation [Film]. This guide provides a detailed breakdown, examples, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you accurately cite films in your academic papers.
The Fundamental APA Movie Citation Formula
The core structure of an APA movie citation is designed to clearly identify the film and its key contributors. Understanding this structure is paramount for creating accurate citations.
Deconstructing the Citation Elements
Let’s break down each element:
- Director’s Last Name, First Initial. (Director). This identifies the person primarily responsible for the film’s direction. If multiple directors are involved, list them in the order they appear on the film credits, separated by commas. If only one director is listed, add (Director) after their name.
- (Year). This is the year the film was originally released.
- Title of the Movie. This is the complete and official title of the film. It should be italicized.
- [Film]. This designation clarifies that the source being cited is a film.
For example:
Scorsese, M. (Director). (1990). Goodfellas [Film].
Citing Films Accessed Online
With the rise of streaming services, citing films accessed online has become increasingly common. APA style provides guidelines for these situations.
Adding Source Information
When citing a film accessed online, you’ll need to include the name of the streaming service or platform where you viewed the film. You may also need to include a URL if the film is hosted directly on a website.
The general format is:
Director’s Last Name, First Initial. (Director). (Year). Title of the movie [Film]. Streaming Service. URL (if available)
Example:
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Film]. Netflix.
Important Note: If the URL is excessively long, use a shortened URL provided by a service like Bitly.
In-Text Citations
The in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your paper that corresponds to the full citation in your reference list.
Basic In-Text Citation
The basic format for an in-text citation of a movie is: (Director’s Last Name, Year).
For example: (Scorsese, 1990).
Citing Specific Scenes
APA style doesn’t typically require you to cite specific timestamps for movies. However, if it is important to your argument to pinpoint a particular scene, you can use the following format:
(Director’s Last Name, Year, time).
For example: (Scorsese, 1990, 01:15:00).
Advanced Considerations and Exceptions
There are some situations where the standard citation format might need adjustments.
Citing a Screenwriter Instead of a Director
If your analysis focuses specifically on the screenplay, you can cite the screenwriter(s) instead of the director. In this case, use (Writer) or (Writers) instead of (Director).
Foreign Films
When citing foreign films, use the original title whenever possible. If you are using a translated version, include the original title in brackets after the translated title.
For example:
Fellini, F. (Director). (1960). La dolce vita [Film].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about citing movies in APA style, along with detailed answers to further clarify the process.
FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the film’s credits, separated by commas. Use “(Directors)” instead of “(Director)”. Example: Coen, J., & Coen, E. (Directors). (1998). The Big Lebowski [Film].
FAQ 2: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, use the person or organization most responsible for the film’s creation. If that’s also unknown, start with the title of the movie. Title of the movie (Year) [Film].
FAQ 3: How do I cite a movie review in APA?
Citing a movie review follows the standard APA format for citing articles. Include the reviewer’s last name, first initial, the year of publication, the title of the review, the title of the publication (italicized), and the URL if accessed online.
FAQ 4: Do I need to include the distributor of the movie in the citation?
No, the distributor is generally not included in the APA citation for a film. The director, year, and title are the most important pieces of information.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a movie from a DVD or Blu-ray?
The citation format remains the same as the basic formula, but you don’t need to specify that it’s from a DVD or Blu-ray. Simply include the director, year, title, and [Film].
FAQ 6: What if the movie is part of a series?
If the movie is part of a series, you can include the series title in parentheses after the movie title, but it’s not required. Example: Scorsese, M. (Director). (2006). The Departed [Film] (Infernal Affairs series).
FAQ 7: How do I format the reference list entry?
The reference list entry should be double-spaced and use a hanging indent. This means the first line of the citation is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a film viewed in a theater?
The basic citation format applies: Director’s Last Name, First Initial. (Director). (Year). Title of the movie [Film]. No additional information about the theater is needed.
FAQ 9: What if the movie is based on a book? Do I need to cite the book as well?
If your analysis focuses on the adaptation process, you should cite both the movie and the book. Cite the book using the standard APA format for books.
FAQ 10: How do I cite dialogue from a movie?
When citing direct dialogue from a movie, include the in-text citation with the director’s last name and year, as well as the timestamp if necessary for clarity. Use quotation marks for short quotes and a block quote format for longer quotes (more than 40 words).
FAQ 11: What if I’m citing a documentary film?
The same rules apply to documentary films as to fictional films. Be sure to clearly identify the director and year of release.
FAQ 12: Where can I find more information on APA style citations?
The official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition) is the most authoritative resource for APA style guidelines. Many university writing centers also offer helpful resources and tutorials.
By following these guidelines and addressing the FAQs, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your academic papers using APA style. Remember that consistency and attention to detail are key to maintaining academic integrity.