How to Cite a Film Script

An unpublished film script is not a common source of information for a paper. However, if you use information from an unpublished film script, it is necessary to list it as a reference. According to Dr. Harold Halbert, Professor of English at Montgomery County Community College, Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for citing unpublished manuscripts may be adapted to properly cite an unpublished film script. The exact format will depend on whether you are citing a printed film script or a film script accessed online.

Printed Film Script

Step 1

Begin your reference list entry with the last and first name of the author of the script.

For example: Smith, Tony.

Step 2

List the name of the script in quotation marks.

For example: Smith, Tony. "Really Great Movie."

Step 3

List the type of source as "film script" or "unpublished film script." Follow this with the year in which it was written, if known.

For example: Smith, Tony. "Really Great Movie." Film script, 2005.

Online Film Script

Step 1

Begin your reference list entry with the last and first name of the author of the script.

For example: Smith, Tony.

Step 2

List the name of the script in italics or underlined font.

For example: Smith, Tony. Really Great Movie.

Step 3

List the type of source as "film script." Follow this with the year in which it was written, if known.

For example: Smith, Tony. Really Great Movie. Film script. 2005.

Step 4

List the name of the website in italicized or underlined font, followed by a period.

For example: Smith, Tony. Really Great Movie. Film script. 2005. Scriptweb.

Step 5

Conclude your citation with the date on which you accessed the site. List the day, month and year. The names of months longer than four letters long should be abbreviated.

For example: Smith, Tony. Really Great Movie. Film script. 2005. 25 Dec. 2010.

Step 6

MLA no longer requires the use of URL in web citations. However, if you choose to include the URL, do so by enclosing it in angle brackets at the end of your citation.

For example: Smith, Tony. Really Great Movie. Film script. 2005. 25 Dec. 2010. http://www.scriptweb.com/tyr/uyte/65288.htm

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