Mastering the art of citation is crucial for academic integrity and demonstrating the breadth of your research. When incorporating films into your scholarly work, accurately citing them in MLA (Modern Language Association) format is paramount. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to cite a movie in MLA, ensuring your citations are not only correct but also enhance the credibility of your writing.
The Core of MLA Movie Citation
To cite a movie in MLA format, you must provide specific information about the film and arrange it in a precise sequence. The general format follows this structure:
Title of Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], [Production Company/Distributor], Year of Release.
This basic framework serves as the foundation, but several nuances exist depending on how you access the movie (e.g., DVD, streaming service) and the information you want to highlight (e.g., specific actors, writers). Let’s explore the specifics.
Building Your MLA Citation: Essential Elements
Crafting a perfect MLA citation requires attention to detail. Here’s a breakdown of each component:
1. Title of the Movie
- Present the title exactly as it appears on the film itself.
- Italicize the entire title.
- Capitalize all principal words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns). Avoid capitalizing articles, prepositions, and conjunctions unless they begin the title.
- Example: Oppenheimer.
2. Directed By
- Begin with the phrase “Directed by”.
- Follow with the director’s name in the format: First Name Last Name.
- If there are multiple directors, list them in the order they appear on the film, separated by commas.
- Example: Directed by Christopher Nolan.
3. Production Company/Distributor
- Include the name of the production company or distributor responsible for the film’s release. This information is typically found in the film’s credits or on the DVD/streaming service information page.
- Omit business abbreviations like “Inc.” or “Ltd.”
- Example: Universal Pictures.
4. Year of Release
- State the year the film was originally released in theaters.
- This information is also available in the film’s credits or on online databases.
- Example: 2023.
Assembling the Basic Citation
Putting it all together, a basic MLA movie citation looks like this:
- Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023.
Citing Different Movie Formats
The way you cite a movie may change slightly depending on how you accessed it. Here’s how to handle different formats:
1. DVD/Blu-ray
- After the basic citation, add the medium (DVD or Blu-ray).
- Example: Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023. DVD.
2. Streaming Services
- After the basic citation, add the name of the streaming service followed by the date you accessed the film.
- Example: Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023. Netflix, 15 Oct. 2024.
3. Online Databases (e.g., Internet Archive)
- Cite the online database name in italics.
- Include the URL.
- Include the access date.
- Example: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Directed by Robert Wiene, Decla-Bioscop AG, 1920. Internet Archive, archive.org/details/thecabinetofdrcaligari. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
Citing Specific Elements Within a Film
Sometimes, you may need to cite a specific actor, writer, or scene within a film. Here’s how:
1. Citing an Actor’s Performance
- Begin with the actor’s name followed by “performance in” or “perf.” (abbreviation for “performance”).
- Then, provide the standard movie citation information.
- Example: Murphy, Cillian, perf. Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023.
2. Citing a Writer
- Begin with “Written by” followed by the writer’s name.
- Then, provide the standard movie citation information.
- Example: Written by Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023.
3. Citing a Specific Scene
- In your in-text citation, indicate the approximate time (hours:minutes:seconds) of the scene you are referencing.
- There is no specific modification to the works cited entry for this. The in-text citation guides the reader to the specific moment in the film.
- Example (In-Text): (Nolan, Oppenheimer, 02:15:30)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Title Capitalization: Remember to capitalize all principal words.
- Missing Director: The director is a crucial element of the citation.
- Omitting Production Company/Distributor: Don’t forget to include this information.
- Incorrect Date Format: Use the format Day Month Year (e.g., 15 Oct. 2024).
- Forgetting Access Dates for Streaming Services: Always include the date you accessed the film online.
FAQs: Deepening Your Understanding
1. What if a movie has multiple directors? How do I list them?
List the directors in the order they appear on the film’s credits, separated by commas. Example: Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski.
2. How do I cite a foreign film in MLA?
Cite the film as you would any other movie, but retain the original title. If you are discussing a translated version, you can include the translated title in brackets after the original title. Example: Amélie [Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain].
3. What if the production company is not explicitly listed?
Look for the distributor instead. If neither is readily available, you may omit this element. However, diligently search the film’s credits.
4. How specific should I be with the streaming service I cite?
Be as specific as possible. For example, instead of just “Amazon,” specify “Amazon Prime Video.”
5. Do I need to include the country of origin for a movie?
No, including the country of origin is not typically required in MLA format.
6. What is the difference between citing a DVD and a streaming service?
The key difference is that you specify “DVD” for the physical medium, while for streaming services, you name the service and include the date you accessed it.
7. If I watched a movie multiple times, which access date should I use?
Use the date you last accessed the film if you are directly referencing something you observed during that viewing.
8. How do I cite a movie that was originally released in a different year but I’m watching a later version?
Cite the original release year. If you are referencing specific features of the later version (e.g., director’s cut), you can note that after the main citation.
9. Is it necessary to include the runtime of a movie in the citation?
No, the runtime is not a required element of an MLA movie citation.
10. What do I do if I can’t find the director’s name?
While rare, if the director is truly uncredited, you can omit this element. However, make a diligent effort to find the director.
11. How should I cite a documentary film?
Treat a documentary film the same as any other movie, following the guidelines outlined above.
12. How does citing a short film differ from citing a feature-length film?
There is no difference in the citation format. Use the standard MLA movie citation format for both short films and feature-length films.
By following these guidelines and frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in MLA format, adding credibility and clarity to your academic work. Remember that consistent and accurate citations are the hallmark of scholarly integrity.