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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): Videos and DVDs

Discover the ins and outs of MLA citation

Who to Credit

DVD or Film

Many people can be involved in the production of a video and not all need to be listed in the citation. Typically the director, producer and/or writer are the names that are used. To clarify which role the person has in the production, their job title such as Director is put after their name in round brackets if the job title is known.

Streaming Video from a Website

For videos from websites such as YouTube or Vimeo, credit the person who posted the content. If a real name is provided, use it. If the real name of the person who posted the content is not known, use their user name.

Streaming Video from a Library Database

Format

"Title of Video." Publisher/Production Company, Date. Title of Library Database. 

Example

"Secret Life of Twins." BBC, 2015. Films on Demand, unr.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=98734&xtid=115671

Streaming Video from a Website (YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu, etc.)

Format

Last Name, First Name of video creator or Username of Creator. "Title of Video." Title of the Hosting Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL of video.

Example

SethiRamit. "How to Write a Winning Resume, With Ramit Sethi." YouTube, 23 June 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0fjkKCsM1w.

DVD or Film

Format

Title of Movie. Director's Name. Performers Names. Production Company, Year of Release. 

Example

The Usual Suspects. Directed by Bryan Singer. Performances by Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, and Benicio Del Toro. Polygram, 1995. 

Television Series Episode

Format

"Title of Episode." Title of TV Series. Contributors Name(s), Season, Episode,  Production Company, Year of Release. 

Example

"The One Where Chandler Can't Cry." Friends, created by Marta Kauffman, performance by Matthew Perry, season 6, episode 14, Warner Brothers, 2004. 


 Note: If the episode has many contributors, include the ones most relevant to your project. i.e. if you are writing about an episode that focuses on a key character, you might mention the series creator and the actor who portrays the character. Seasons of a television series are usually numbered in sequence, as are the episodes. Both numbers should be included in the works cited list if available