To accurately quote a screenplay in an essay, you generally focus on quoting dialogue as it appears in the film itself, or, less commonly, from a published version of the screenplay. The most common approach involves citing the dialogue as it's presented on screen, providing context and proper citation according to your chosen style guide (MLA, APA, Chicago).
Understanding the Source: Screenplay vs. Film
Before quoting, it's crucial to distinguish between a published screenplay (which functions like a book) and the dialogue as it appears in the film. Most academic essays quote dialogue directly from the film for accuracy, as screenplays can undergo revisions before filming.
Quoting Dialogue from a Film
When quoting dialogue from a film, ensure the quote is faithfully reproduced and enclosed in double quotation marks. To help readers locate the quote, provide specific details of the scene, such as who is speaking and what is happening. Your in-text citation must include the movie title (italicized) and the director's last name in parentheses.
1. Inline Quotes (Short Dialogue)
For short lines of dialogue (typically less than four lines of prose or two lines of poetry), integrate them directly into your paragraph.
- Example (MLA Style Guidance):
In a tense moment, Rick famously tells Ilsa, "Here's looking at you, kid" (Casablanca, Curtiz).
Or, describe the scene for context: As Rick bids farewell to Ilsa at the airport, he delivers the iconic line, "Here's looking at you, kid" (Casablanca, Curtiz).
2. Block Quotes (Longer Dialogue)
When quoting longer passages of dialogue (four or more lines), use a block quote. Indent the entire block ½ inch from the left margin, omit quotation marks, and place the parenthetical citation after the final punctuation.
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Example (APA Style Guidance):
The film opens with a powerful exchange between the Joker and his crew during the bank heist:JOKER: And I thought my jokes were bad.
CHECHEN: They are.
JOKER: No, no, no. These guys are serious. I like it. I like it a lot. (Nolan, 2008)Note: When quoting dialogue in a block format, you might include character names in all caps as they appear in a screenplay, followed by their dialogue.
3. Citing Specific Scenes or Timestamps
While not always required by every style for short quotes, providing scene details or even timestamps (especially for longer works or very specific analyses) can be incredibly helpful.
- Scene Description: "As the spaceship hovers over the alien planet, Dave says, 'My mind is going. I can feel it'" (2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick).
- Timestamp (More common in Chicago style or specific media studies): The iconic "I'll be back" line is delivered by the Terminator as he leaves the police station (Cameron, 1984, 0:54:30).
Citation Style Guidelines
While the core principles remain consistent, the exact formatting for your citations will depend on the style guide your essay requires.
| Style Guide | In-Text Citation Format | Works Cited/References/Bibliography Entry Example |
|---|---|---|
| MLA | (Movie Title, Director's Last Name) e.g., (The Dark Knight, Nolan) For a specific character's dialogue: Character name, "Dialogue" (Movie Title, Director's Last Name). |
Movie Title. Directed by Director's First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release. e.g., The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2008. |
| APA | (Director's Last Name, Year of Release) e.g., (Nolan, 2008) When integrating: Movie Title (Director, Year). |
Director, F. M. (Director). (Year). Title of motion picture [Film]. Production Company. e.g., Nolan, C. (Director). (2008). The Dark Knight [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures. |
| Chicago | Footnote/Endnote: 1. Movie Title, directed by Director's Name (Production Company, Year), Timestamp (if applicable). Shortened Note: 2. Movie Title, Timestamp. |
Director's Last Name, First Name, dir. Movie Title. Year. Medium (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray, streaming service). e.g., Nolan, Christopher, dir. The Dark Knight. 2008. Warner Bros. Pictures. Streaming. If citing a published screenplay: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Screenplay. City: Publisher, Year. |
Quoting from a Published Screenplay
If you are specifically referencing a published screenplay (e.g., a book version of the script), you would cite it as you would any other book. Include the author's name (the screenwriter) and page numbers where applicable.
- Example (MLA style for a published screenplay):
In the opening scene, the screenplay describes the setting as "a desolate, wind-swept plain" (Coen and Coen 1).
Key Tips for Quoting Screenplays in Essays:
- Accuracy is paramount: Always double-check the quote against the film or published screenplay.
- Provide Context: Don't drop quotes without introducing them. Explain who is speaking, to whom, and in what situation.
- Analysis: After quoting, always follow up with your analysis of why that quote is significant to your argument.
- Consult Style Guides: For comprehensive guidelines, always refer to the latest editions of the MLA Handbook, APA Publication Manual, or Chicago Manual of Style.
