How to Cite Multimedia Sources in Chicago Style
Multimedia sources—including films, videos, podcasts, audio recordings, and streaming content—are increasingly important in academic research across history, media studies, and the arts. Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) provides comprehensive formats for citing audiovisual materials in both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems.
Understanding Multimedia Citations
Multimedia citations must identify the creator (director, producer, or performer), title, format, distributor or platform, and date. For online videos and streaming content, include URLs when available. Chicago recognizes that multimedia exists in various formats—theatrical releases, DVDs, streaming platforms, YouTube videos, and podcasts—each with specific citation requirements. The Notes-Bibliography system is standard in film studies and art history, while Author-Date is used in communication and media studies.
Chicago Notes-Bibliography: Films and Videos
Basic Format for Films
Footnote/Endnote:
Film Title, directed by Director Name (Year; Place: Studio/Distributor, Year), Format.
Bibliography entry:
Film Title. Directed by Director Name. Year. Place: Studio/Distributor, Year. Format.
Example: Film on DVD
Note:
1. Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles (1941; Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 2001), DVD.
Bibliography:
Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles. 1941. Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 2001. DVD.
Example: Film on Streaming Service
Note:
2. Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan (Universal Pictures, 2023), Peacock streaming video, 3:00:00.
Bibliography:
Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Universal Pictures, 2023. Peacock streaming video, 3:00:00.
Example: Documentary Film
Note:
3. The Civil War, directed by Ken Burns, episode 1, "The Cause," aired September 23, 1990, on PBS.
Example: YouTube Video
Note:
4. Crash Course, "The Roman Empire in the First Century," YouTube video, 12:35, posted January 15, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
Bibliography:
Crash Course. "The Roman Empire in the First Century." YouTube video, 12:35. Posted January 15, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
Chicago Notes-Bibliography: Audio Recordings
Basic Format for Audio
Footnote/Endnote:
Performer/Artist, Album Title, recorded Year, Label catalog number, Year, Format.
Example: Music Album
Note:
5. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, recorded 1959, Columbia CL 1355, 1959, LP.
Bibliography:
Davis, Miles. Kind of Blue. Recorded 1959. Columbia CL 1355, 1959. LP.
Example: Individual Song or Track
Note:
6. Beyoncé, "Formation," track 12 on Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016, streaming audio, Spotify.
Example: Audiobook
Note:
7. Michelle Obama, Becoming, narrated by the author (New York: Random House Audio, 2018), audiobook, Audible.
Chicago Notes-Bibliography: Podcasts
Basic Format for Podcasts
Footnote/Endnote:
Host Name, "Episode Title," Podcast Name, podcast audio, Duration, Date, URL.
Bibliography entry:
Host Name. "Episode Title." Podcast Name. Podcast audio, Duration. Date. URL.
Example: Podcast Episode
Note:
8. Jill Lepore, "The Last Archive: Episode 3, The Prophecy,"The Last Archive, podcast audio, 45:23, February 12, 2024, https://www.thelastarchive.com/episode-3.
Bibliography:
Lepore, Jill. "The Last Archive: Episode 3, The Prophecy."The Last Archive. Podcast audio, 45:23. February 12, 2024. https://www.thelastarchive.com/episode-3.
Example: Podcast Series
Note:
9. Dan Carlin, Hardcore History, podcast, 2006-, https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/.
Chicago Author-Date: Multimedia Sources
Example: Film
In-text citation:
(Welles 1941)
Reference list:
Welles, Orson, dir. 1941. Citizen Kane. Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 2001. DVD.
Example: YouTube Video
In-text citation:
(Crash Course 2024)
Reference list:
Crash Course. 2024. "The Roman Empire in the First Century." YouTube video, 12:35. Posted January 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
Example: Podcast
In-text citation:
(Lepore 2024)
Reference list:
Lepore, Jill. 2024. "The Last Archive: Episode 3, The Prophecy."The Last Archive. Podcast audio, 45:23. February 12. https://www.thelastarchive.com/episode-3.
Example: Music Recording
In-text citation:
(Davis 1959)
Reference list:
Davis, Miles. 1959. Kind of Blue. Recorded 1959. Columbia CL 1355. LP.
When to Use Each System
| Discipline | Recommended System |
|---|---|
| Film Studies | Notes-Bibliography |
| Art History | Notes-Bibliography |
| Music History | Notes-Bibliography |
| Media Studies | Author-Date |
| Communication | Author-Date |
| Cultural Studies | Author-Date |
Common Errors to Avoid
1. Confusing Original Release and Viewing Format Dates
List both the original release year and the format publication year: (1941; 2001) for a film released in 1941 but viewed on a 2001 DVD. The first date is the creation date; the second is the format date.
2. Missing Time Codes
Include duration for videos and podcasts (e.g., 45:23 for 45 minutes, 23 seconds). This helps readers locate specific content and understand the source's scope.
3. Wrong Title Formatting
Film, album, and podcast series titles are italicized. Episode titles and individual song titles appear in quotation marks. YouTube video titles follow episode format (quotation marks).
4. Incomplete Director/Creator Information
Always include the director for films and documentaries. For videos without clear directors, list the channel or creator name. This establishes authority and helps readers evaluate the source.
5. Missing Platform or Format Information
Specify the viewing platform (Netflix, YouTube, DVD) or listening platform (Spotify, Apple Podcasts). Different versions may have different edits or quality.
6. Omitting URLs for Online Content
Include URLs for online videos, podcasts, and streaming content when available. Use persistent URLs or DOIs when provided by the platform.
Special Cases and Considerations
Television Series and Episodes
Note:
10. "Chapter One," House of Cards, season 1, episode 1, directed by David Fincher, written by Beau Willimon, aired February 1, 2013, on Netflix.
Radio Programs
Note:
11. "The Giant Pool of Money," This American Life, episode 355, produced by Chicago Public Media, aired May 9, 2008, on NPR.
Lecture or Speech Recording
Note:
12. Maya Angelou, "On the Pulse of Morning" (presidential inaugural poem), January 20, 1993, C-SPAN video, 6:31, https://www.c-span.org/video/?35373-1/presidential-inaugural-ceremony.
TED Talk
Note:
13. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "The Danger of a Single Story," TED video, 18:43, filmed July 2009, https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.
Historical Audio Recording
Note:
14. Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation," December 8, 1941, audio recording, Miller Center, University of Virginia, https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-8-1941-pearl-harbor-address-nation.
Using Multimedia in Historical Research
Multimedia sources are increasingly valuable for historical research. Documentary films, oral histories, archival audio, and digitized newsreels provide primary evidence of past events. When citing historical multimedia, include as much contextual information as possible—original broadcast dates, production companies, and archival locations.
For art history, film studies, and music history, multimedia sources are often primary texts themselves. Citing films, recordings, and performances requires the same scholarly rigor as citing written texts. Include technical details like format, running time, and version when these affect your analysis.
Generate Chicago Citations for Multimedia
Create accurate Chicago-style citations for films, videos, podcasts, and audio recordings in both Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date formats. Perfect for film studies, media research, and digital humanities.