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An unpublished film script is not a common source of information for a paper. However, if you use information from an unpublished film script, it is necessary to list it as a reference.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Professor of English at Montgomery County Community College, Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for citing unpublished manuscripts may be adapted to properly cite an unpublished film script.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.

Step 2

List the name of the script in quotation marks.

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List the type of source as "film script" or "unpublished film script."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.

Online Film Script

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

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.

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.

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