Mastering APA Citation- A Comprehensive Guide on How to Cite Movies in APA Format
How to Cite APA Movie: A Comprehensive Guide
Citing a movie in APA format can be a bit tricky, especially if you are not familiar with the rules and guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. However, with a little guidance, you can easily format your citation correctly. In this article, we will discuss the various elements required to cite a movie in APA format and provide you with a step-by-step guide to ensure your citation is accurate and compliant with APA guidelines.
1. General Format
When citing a movie in APA format, you need to include the following elements in the order specified:
– Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of release). Title of movie [Film]. Production Company.
For example:
Smith, J. (2019). Inception [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
2. Additional Information
In addition to the general format, you may need to include additional information depending on the movie’s specifics. Here are some common scenarios and how to handle them:
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2.1. Citing a Movie Based on a Book
If the movie is based on a book, include the author’s name, the year of publication, and the title of the book after the movie title. For example:
Smith, J. (2019). Inception [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures. (Based on the novel by Christopher Nolan, 2010).
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2.2. Citing a Movie with Multiple Directors
If the movie has multiple directors, list them in alphabetical order by their last names, separated by commas. For example:
Nolan, C., & Joseph, D. (2019). Inception [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
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2.3. Citing a Short Film
For short films, include the word “Short” before the title of the movie. For example:
Smith, J. (2019). Inception: Short [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
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2.4. Citing a Movie with No Director
If the movie has no director, start the citation with the title of the movie. For example:
Inception [Film]. (2019). Warner Bros. Pictures.
3. In-text Citations
When referencing a movie in your text, you can use the author’s last name and the year of release. For example:
According to Smith (2019), the concept of dreams within dreams in “Inception” has been a popular theme in modern cinema.
Alternatively, you can simply mention the title of the movie:
“Inception” has become a cultural phenomenon (Smith, 2019).
4. Conclusion
Citing a movie in APA format may seem daunting at first, but with this comprehensive guide, you can easily format your citation correctly. By following the general format and addressing any additional information specific to the movie, you’ll ensure your citation is accurate and compliant with APA guidelines.
