Chicago: The Windy City... of Referencing?
Ah, referencing. The bane of many a student's existence, right up there with that roommate who thinks using the microwave is a personal attack on their frozen burrito. But fear not, intrepid scholars! Today we're tackling the seemingly daunting task of referencing that well-worn DVD of "Chicago" for your next paper. Yes, the one with all the sassy jazz and questionable dance moves.
First things first: Dust off those detective skills
Before you channel your inner Velma Dinkley, you don't need a magnifying glass to unearth the necessary info. Flip that DVD case over like it's a hot potato (because trust me, some of those plastic cases get dangerously close). We're looking for gold, folks, and by gold I mean the following:
- Director's name: This is the mastermind behind the whole jazz-hands extravaganza. It'll usually be right there, writ large, like a marquee.
- Release year: Unless your copy is some kind of bootleg time-travel anomaly (intriguing!), the release year should be around somewhere. This might be the original theatrical release or the DVD release date, depending on what your copy specifies.
- Studio/Distributor: Who brought "Chicago" to your living room? This is usually some fancy film company with a logo that looks vaguely like a lion.
Bonus points if you can find the runtime. Why? Because who doesn't love a good trivia fact to impress their professor with? ("Did you know, Professor, that it takes exactly 117 minutes for Richard Gere to win Roxanne Hart's heart through the power of song and dance? Just sayin'.")
Alright, Mr./Ms. Smartypants, now how do I reference this thing?
Now that you've unearthed this cinematic treasure trove of information, it's time to translate it into proper Chicago style (not the deep dish kind, although that sounds delightful right now). Here's the basic format:
- Director's Last Name, First Name. Title of Movie (Original Release Year; City: Studio/Distributor, DVD Release Year [if different]). Medium.
For example, if your "Chicago" DVD boasts Rob Marshall as the director and a 2003 release date:
- Marshall, Rob. Chicago (2002; Los Angeles: Miramax Films, 2003). DVD.
Easy, right? Almost as easy as hiding those questionable dance moves you practiced in your room after watching the movie.
But wait, there's more! (Because referencing is never truly simple)
- In-text citations: Let's say you want to reference a particularly snappy line from the movie in your paper. Here's how you'd do it in Chicago style (with a dash of humor, of course):
Velma Kelly's declaration, "Honey, when it comes to fame, you gotta grab it while you can" (Marshall, Chicago, 2003), perfectly encapsulates the desperation for celebrity in the film.
See? Referencing and a touch of wit can go hand in hand, like Roxanne and Billy Flynn (except hopefully with a less murderous outcome)
So there you have it, folks! Referencing that well-loved (or maybe secretly hated?) DVD of "Chicago" is no longer a mystery. With a little detective work and this handy guide, you'll be navigating the windy city of citations like a pro. Now go forth and write that paper, but maybe take a break for some pizza and jazz hands afterwards. You deserve it.