How to Site a Movie Essay
Writing a movie essay requires not only a deep understanding of the film but also the ability to properly cite your sources. Citing a movie in an essay is crucial for providing evidence to support your arguments and for giving credit to the original creators. This article will guide you through the process of how to site a movie essay, ensuring that your work is both academically sound and ethically responsible.
Understanding the Basics of Citing a Movie
Before diving into the specific citation formats, it is essential to understand the basics of citing a movie. When citing a movie, you need to include the following information:
1. The title of the movie: This should be in italics and include the full title, including any subtitle.
2. The director’s name: Follow the title with the name of the director, in regular text.
3. The release year: Include the year of release in parentheses, immediately following the director’s name.
4. The production company: Mention the production company responsible for the film, also in parentheses.
5. The medium of the source: Specify whether the movie is a film, a video, or a streaming service.
APA Format for Citing a Movie in an Essay
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is commonly used in the social sciences and humanities. To cite a movie in APA format, follow these steps:
1. Start with the title of the movie, in italics.
2. Add the director’s name in regular text.
3. Include the release year in parentheses.
4. Mention the production company in parentheses.
5. End with the medium of the source in parentheses.
Example: Star Wars. (1977). George Lucas. Lucasfilm Ltd. [Film].
MLA Format for Citing a Movie in an Essay
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is often used in the humanities. To cite a movie in MLA format, follow these guidelines:
1. Begin with the title of the movie, in quotation marks.
2. Add the director’s name in regular text.
3. Include the release year in parentheses.
4. Mention the production company in parentheses.
5. End with the medium of the source in parentheses.
Example: “Star Wars.” Directed by George Lucas. 1977. Lucasfilm Ltd., [Film].
Chicago Format for Citing a Movie in an Essay
The Chicago style is widely used in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. To cite a movie in Chicago format, follow these instructions:
1. Start with the title of the movie, in italics.
2. Add the director’s name in regular text.
3. Include the release year in parentheses.
4. Mention the production company in parentheses.
5. End with the medium of the source in parentheses.
Example: Star Wars. Dir. George Lucas. 1977. Lucasfilm Ltd., film.
Conclusion
Citing a movie in your essay is a critical aspect of academic integrity. By following the proper citation formats, you can ensure that your work is both accurate and ethically responsible. Whether you are using APA, MLA, or Chicago style, always remember to include the title, director, release year, production company, and medium of the source to create a complete and accurate citation.
