How do I cite a film in MLA format?
To cite a film in MLA format, you’ll generally include the title of the film, the director, other significant contributors (like actors), the distributor, and the year of release. The basic format is: *Title of Film*. Directed by Director’s Name, Performance by Main Actors (if relevant), Distributor, Year.
When constructing your film citation, begin with the title of the film, italicized. Follow this with “Directed by” and the director’s name. If you wish to highlight particular actors whose performances are central to your analysis, include “Performance by” followed by their names. Crucially, provide the name of the film’s distributor (e.g., Warner Bros., Netflix) and the year the film was released. For example: *Casablanca*. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Warner Bros., 1942. Keep in mind that the MLA Handbook emphasizes citing the version of the film you watched. If you viewed a specific edition or format (e.g., a director’s cut or a streaming version), include this information after the year. For online streaming services, you can include the platform as the distributor. If you are citing a specific part of the film, you can add a timestamp or scene description after the main citation. Remember to consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines and specific scenarios.
What elements are needed in an MLA film citation?
An MLA film citation requires several core elements to accurately identify the work. These elements, typically presented in a specific order, include the title of the film, the director, other significant contributors (such as performers, writers, or composers), the production company or distributor, the year of release, and potentially the medium (e.g., film, DVD, streaming).
The film’s title should be italicized and is typically the first element listed. Following the title, it’s crucial to identify the director, as they are considered the primary creative force behind the film. Use the phrase “Directed by” followed by the director’s name in standard first name, last name format. You can also include other key contributors, especially if your research focuses on their specific roles; for example, you might include writers or performers and their respective roles. Note that including contributors beyond the director is optional but demonstrates a deeper engagement with the film’s creation.
The production company or distributor is included to provide further context about the film’s origins and availability. The year of release indicates when the film was first publicly available. Finally, the medium is often specified to indicate how the film was accessed (e.g., DVD, streaming). Including this element is becoming increasingly important, especially with the proliferation of streaming services. If accessed through a streaming service, the name of the service should be included after the medium designation.
How is the director’s name formatted in an MLA film citation?
In an MLA film citation, the director’s name is formatted with the last name first, followed by a comma, and then the first name. The designation “dir.” follows the director’s name to clarify their role.
For example, if Steven Spielberg directed a film, his name would appear in the citation as “Spielberg, Steven, dir.” This formatting convention distinguishes the director from other contributors to the film, such as actors or writers, whose names may also be included in the citation depending on the focus of your research or the instructions of your instructor. If you are focusing on the director’s work, including their name prominently at the beginning of the citation signals this emphasis to your reader.
It’s crucial to remember that the director is listed before the film’s title when you want to emphasize their contribution to the work. This is particularly relevant when you’re analyzing the director’s stylistic choices or comparing their different films. When including other contributors, such as writers or actors, list them after the title and follow a similar format, specifying their role (e.g., “Screenplay by Jane Doe” or “Perf. John Smith”).
How do I cite a film I watched online in MLA?
To cite a film you watched online in MLA format, you’ll generally need the title of the film, the director, other significant contributors (like performers), the production company/distributor, the year of release, and the platform where you watched it, followed by the URL. The specific format adapts slightly depending on whether the source is a streaming service or another website.
When citing a film viewed via a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video, emphasize the streaming service as the container. Begin with the film title in italics, followed by the director’s name, and then the performers. After that, list the distributor and year of release, and finally, specify the streaming service and include the URL. For instance: *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, performances by Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis, A24, 2022. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/81224226. If you watched the film on a website that isn’t a dedicated streaming service (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo), the citation will differ slightly. After the distributor and year, include the website name in italics and the URL. If the film’s original release date differs from the upload date on the website, include both, separating them with a slash. For example: *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari*. Directed by Robert Wiene, performances by Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt, Decla-Bioscop AG, 1920. *YouTube*, 2/28/2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKtTXYn6XFQ. Remember to always check the MLA Handbook or a credible online citation generator for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Where does the year of release go in the citation?
In MLA format, the year of release for a film is placed immediately after the title of the film, enclosed in parentheses. This placement helps readers quickly identify the specific version of the film being cited, especially if there are multiple adaptations or editions.
The year of release functions as a crucial piece of information for source identification. Without it, readers may be unable to distinguish between different versions of the same film title. Including the year of release provides context for the film’s production and reception, helping readers understand its historical significance and potentially locating the correct source if needed.
To illustrate, a basic film citation in MLA format would look like this: *Title of Film*. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release. For example: *Citizen Kane*. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Pictures, 1941. Always remember to italicize the title of the film. The “Directed by” element is included if the director is pertinent to your analysis.
Do I italicize the film title in MLA?
Yes, in MLA style, you should italicize the title of a film. This is a standard practice for citing major works, including movies, books, plays, and long musical compositions.
Italicizing film titles serves the purpose of clearly distinguishing them from other elements in your text, such as character names, directors, or even shorter works like song titles (which would be placed in quotation marks instead). This visual cue helps readers quickly identify the title of the cinematic work you are referencing and understand its significance within your analysis or discussion.
When citing a film, remember that only the title itself is italicized. Any accompanying phrases like “Directed by” or “Produced by” should remain in regular font. Furthermore, if you’re mentioning a specific scene within the film, the scene title (if it exists) would be enclosed in quotation marks, not italicized. For example: In *Casablanca*, the iconic scene “Here’s looking at you, kid” highlights the film’s themes of sacrifice and lost love.
How do I cite a specific scene from a film in MLA?
To cite a specific scene from a film in MLA format, you’ll need to adapt the standard film citation by adding the relevant time stamp. After the director’s name, specify the time range of the scene in hours, minutes, and seconds, separated by colons, within the citation. For example: Scorsese, Martin, director. *Goodfellas*. Warner Bros., 1990. 00:23:15-00:25:00.
The key to citing a specific scene lies in the time stamp. The time stamp indicates the exact portion of the film you are referencing. Make sure the time codes are accurate to avoid confusion for your readers. You should use the same version of the film that your audience is likely to access (e.g., the standard theatrical release). Using time stamps allows readers to quickly locate the specific moment you’re analyzing, adding precision to your argument.
Remember that the general format for citing a film in MLA includes the director, the film title in italics, the distributor, and the year of release. When including a time stamp for a specific scene, the citation becomes even more helpful. If your argument focuses on a scene with significant dialogue or visual elements, including a time stamp becomes crucial. By adapting the standard citation, you’re ensuring that your readers can easily understand and verify your reference. Also, remember to cite in-text if you refer to the specific scene in your essay.
And that’s a wrap on citing films in MLA! Hopefully, this guide has helped you navigate the sometimes tricky world of citations. Thanks for reading, and please come back again for more writing tips and tricks!