Citing films and documentaries in academic writing is essential to give credit to original creators and provide context for your arguments. In-text citations help readers locate your sources and enhance the credibility of your work. Below are three practical examples of citing a film or documentary in-text, demonstrating varied citation styles and contexts.
In the context of discussing the impact of visual storytelling on public perception, you might refer to the film The Social Dilemma. This documentary explores the dangers of social media and its effects on society.
In your paper, you would write:
Research indicates that social media platforms manipulate user behavior to increase engagement (Orlowski, 2020).
This in-text citation refers to the documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski, providing a clear reference to the source.
Notes: In APA style, include the director’s last name and the year of release. If discussing specific scenes or quotes, you can add a timestamp, like (Orlowski, 2020, 12:30).
If you are analyzing the educational value of documentaries, you might reference 13th, a film that examines the history of racial inequality in the United States.
You would include it in your text as follows:
The documentary 13th highlights systemic racism within the criminal justice system, suggesting it stems from historical injustices (DuVernay).
This citation is appropriate for a more general reference to the film without specifying a particular scene.
Notes: In MLA style, only the director’s last name is necessary for citations without a specific time stamp. If incorporating a direct quote, you would include the time, e.g., (DuVernay 01:15:30).
When discussing the influence of animated narratives in cinema, you could reference the film Inside Out, which explores emotions through the lens of a young girl’s experiences.
In your writing, you might state:
As illustrated in Inside Out, emotions play a crucial role in shaping human behavior, often leading to unexpected consequences (Docter and Del Carmen 2015).
This acknowledges the film’s directors and the release year, providing a solid foundation for your arguments.
Notes: In Chicago style, it is essential to include both directors, especially if the film had multiple creators. You can also specify particular scenes by adding timestamps if quoting directly.