Open main menu

Changes

19,445 bytes added ,  09:33, 29 January 2013
{{Documentation subpage}}
<!-- EDIT TEMPLATE DOCUMENTATION BELOW THIS LINE -->
{{Auto italic title}}

{{Tl|Infobox film}} is used to list at-a-glance comparative information about a particular motion picture.

== Usage ==

The infobox may be added by pasting the template as shown below into an article, typically at the top of an article above the lead section.

<pre>
{{Infobox film
| name =
| image =
| image_size =
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
| director =
| producer =
| writer =
| screenplay =
| story =
| based on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->
| narrator =
| starring =
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| studio =
| distributor =
| released = <!-- {{Film date|Year|Month|Day|Location}} -->
| runtime =
| country =
| language =
| budget =
| gross =
}}</pre>

== Parameters ==

All parameters are optional.

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left" | Parameter
! style="text-align: left" | Explanation
|-
| <code>italic title</code>
| set to <code>no</code> if the title of the article should not be automatically italicised (for instance, if the title has a disambiguation clause).
|-
| <code>name</code>
| Insert the full common name of the film (defaults to <code><nowiki>{{PAGENAME}}</nowiki></code> if empty).
|-
| <code>image</code>
| Insert a relevant image for the film. Ideally this should be a film poster, but a DVD/VHS cover, screenshot, or other film-related image may also be used. Only use the actual file name, i.e. {{para|image|[[:File:Forrest Gump poster.jpg|Forrest Gump poster.jpg]]}}. See [[#Image]] for further guidelines.
|-
| <code>image_size</code>
| The infobox uses <code>frameless</code> which automatically resizes images to a default width of 220px unless the full size of the image is smaller. Logged in users can change the default width by clicking on "my preferences" and changing the thumbnail size under the "Appearance" tab (see [[Help:Preferences]]). This parameter should not normally be used.
|-
| <code>border</code>
| Inserting <code>yes</code> here will result in a 1px grey border around the image, useful for instances where the image and the background will blend together (such as a film poster with a white background). If no border is necessary, this parameter should not be used.
|-
| <code>alt</code>
| Alt text for the image. See [[WP:ALT]]. This field is normally not visible in standard web browsers, but you can see it by requesting the image's properties from the brower. A visually impaired reader will typically hear the alt text in place of the image.
|-
| <code>caption</code>
| Insert image caption, which should describe the type of image used.
|-
| <code>director</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the director(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each director to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>producer</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the producer(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each producer to his/her appropriate article if possible. Only producer credits should be included, not executive producers, associate producers, etc.
|-
| <code>writer</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the writer(s). This field is primarily used for films where the writer(s) are credited under "Written by". Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each writer to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>screenplay</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the screenplay writer(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. Use this field instead of the normal writer field if films divide writing credits between screenplay and story writers. In addition, link each writer to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>story</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the story writer(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. Use this field instead of the normal writer field if films divide writing credits between screenplay and story writers. In addition, link each writer to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>based on</code>
| Insert the title of the source material and the name(s) of the source material writer(s). Use this field in conjunction with screenplay and story where applicable (i.e. "Screen story") if films are based on previously produced or published material, such as books, plays, articles, old screenplays etc. Use {{tl|based on}} or similar formatting where possible. Do not use this field where the source material is ambiguous.
|-
| <code>narrator</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the narrator(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each narrator to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>starring</code>
| Insert the names of the actors as they are listed in the [[billing block]] of the poster for the film's original theatrical release.<ref>The original poster is also called the '[[one sheet]]' and is the ideal source for this information. Usually the principal credits are listed at the bottom in block letters.</ref> If unavailable, use the top-billed actors from the screen credits. Other additions by consensus. Use the {{Tl|Plainlist}} template for multiple entries, and link each actor to his/her article if possible. Don't add additional text (such as "with" or "featuring") or punctuation to the list.
|-
| <code>music</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the composer(s) of original music. Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each composer to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>cinematography</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the cinematographer(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each cinematographer to his/her appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>editing</code>
| Insert the name(s) of the editor(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. Listing "additional editors" and "supervising editors" may occasionally be appropriate, in which case add the tag "(add)" or "(sup)". Link each editor to his/her article if possible.
|-
| <code>studio</code>
| Insert the company that produced the film. Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each company to its appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>distributor</code>
| Insert the company name(s) of the distributor(s). Separate multiple entries using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. In addition, link each distributor to its appropriate article if possible.
|-
| <code>released</code>
| Insert only the most relevant release date(s) of the film. If multiple entries are required, separate using {{Tl|Plainlist}}. Use {{Tlx|Film date}}. See [[#Release dates]] for additional guidelines.
|-
| <code>runtime</code>
| Insert an approximate time duration of the film in minutes. Do not link to [[minute]]. The [http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ BBFC website] is a good resource - the running time is given to the second, so round it to the minute.
|-
| <code>country</code>
| Fill in the countries of production, as identified by a reliable source. Reliable databases exist (see BFI, AFI, or Variety) that list the production countries. If there is a conflict of information in various reliable sources, then list only the common published nations. Alternatively in the case of conflict, consider leaving this field blank and discussing the issue in the article.<br />When using the field, do not use flag icons, as this places an unnecessary emphasis on nationality; see [[MOS:FLAG]] for a detailed rationale. Also, do not link to Cinema of XXXX; see [[WP:EGG]].
|-
| <code>language</code>
| Insert the language '''primarily''' used in the film. Databases often give every language spoken within the film, even if they only reflect a few lines in the overall script. The [http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ BBFC website] is a good resource for the '''main''' language used in the film. Only in rare cases of clearly bilingual or multilingual films, enter separate entries with a line break (<nowiki><br /></nowiki>). In the case of a single language without any additional text, it will automatically link to the language article (and the film article will also be put automatically in the category concerned). In other cases, give the wikitext for the desired linked text.
'''Note:''' inserting "English" will not automatically link to [[English language]]. This has been done intentionally because readers of the English Wikipedia are already familiar with the language and no benefit is added by placing a link to it. Please do not override this by inserting <nowiki>[[English language|English]]</nowiki>.
|-
| <code>budget</code>
| Insert the approximate production budget of the film. This is the cost of the actual filming, and does not include marketing/promotional costs (i.e. advertisements, commercials, posters, etc). Budget figures can be found at [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/ Box Office Mojo] and [http://www.the-numbers.com The-Numbers], with the later ''usually'' listing a mainstream website as the main source of the budget, such as the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', etc. Such websites are preferred to cite as a reference, if possible. If there are conflicting estimates, do not cherry-pick; list each estimate either as an individual value or as a number range.
|-
| <code>gross</code>
| Insert the worldwide gross revenue accrued by the film. This information is available for most pictures at Box Office Mojo and The-Numbers. If worldwide gross is not available, then indicate which region has grossed that amount.
|}

== Examples ==

{{Infobox film
| italic title = no
| name = Plan 9 from Outer Space
| image = Plan nine from outer space.jpg
| alt = "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE" in large red letters adorns a beam from a night sky containing spacecraft and warplanes. The foreground has the head of a man in a bubble-headed red spacesuit, a caped vampire attacking a victim, a seductive vampiress, and gravediggers at work. Above the title is "UNSPEAKABLE HORRORS FROM OUTER SPACE PARALYZE THE LIVING AND RESURRECT THE DEAD!"; below are "BELA LUGOSI", "VAMPIRA", and "LYLE TALBOT". This movie poster is cheaply printed: the only colors are blue, red, and the yellowed background.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Edward D. Wood, Jr.]]
| producer = J. Edward Reynolds
| writer = Edward D. Wood, Jr.
| narrator = [[The Amazing Criswell]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Béla Lugosi]]
* [[Maila Nurmi|Vampira]]
* [[Lyle Talbot]]
}}
| music = Gordon Zahler<!--music supervisor-->
| cinematography = [[William C. Thompson (cinematographer)|William C. Thompson]]
| editing = Edward D. Wood, Jr.
| distributor = Distributors Corporation of America
| released = {{Film date|1959|07}}
| runtime = 79 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $60,000
}}

<pre style="overflow:auto">
{{Infobox film
| name = Plan 9 from Outer Space
| image = Plan nine from outer space.jpg
| alt = "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE" in large red letters adorns a beam from a night sky containing spacecraft and warplanes. The foreground has the head of a man in a bubble-headed red spacesuit, a caped vampire attacking a victim, a seductive vampiress, and gravediggers at work. Above the title is "UNSPEAKABLE HORRORS FROM OUTER SPACE PARALYZE THE LIVING AND RESURRECT THE DEAD!"; below are "BELA LUGOSI", "VAMPIRA", and "LYLE TALBOT". This movie poster is cheaply printed: the only colors are blue, red, and the yellowed background.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Edward D. Wood, Jr.]]
| producer = J. Edward Reynolds
| writer = Edward D. Wood, Jr.
| narrator = [[The Amazing Criswell]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Béla Lugosi]]
* [[Maila Nurmi|Vampira]]
* [[Lyle Talbot]]
}}
| music = Gordon Zahler<!--music supervisor-->
| cinematography = [[William C. Thompson (cinematographer)|William C. Thompson]]
| editing = Edward D. Wood, Jr.
| distributor = Distributors Corporation of America
| released = {{Film date|1959|07}}
| runtime = 79 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $60,000
}}
</pre>

==Image==
Ideally, an image of the film's original theatrical release poster should be uploaded and added to the infobox to serve as an identifying image for the article. Poster images can be found at websites such as [http://www.impawards.com/ Internet Movie Poster Awards] or [http://www.movieposterdb.com/ Internet Movie Poster Database]. If a poster image cannot be found for the film, or if the film did not have a theatrical release, then a cover image of the film's display case (VHS, DVD, etc.) may be used instead. Cover images can be found at commercial websites such as [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com] or [http://www.amazon.co.uk Amazon.co.uk]. In the absence of an appropriate poster or cover image, a screenshot of the film's [[title card]] may also be used. When replacing an existing image, upload the new image over the old image (where possible), and update the relevant details on the image description page. Click [[#Instructions|here]] to find instructions for uploading non-free images.

Once uploaded, place the file name of the image, e.g., FILM TITLE poster.jpg (or a similar description), in the <code>image=</code> field of the infobox, but do not include the <code>Image:</code> part of the file name. The <code>image_size=</code> field '''only needs to be filled if the width of the image is less than 200 pixels''' (the default image width used by the infobox); enter the actual width of the image, in pixels, so it is not stretched in the infobox. The <code>caption=</code> field should describe the image, i.e., identifying it as "Theatrical release poster" or "DVD cover"; repeating the title of the film here is not necessary. Below is an example of how to use the fields:

| name = FILM TITLE
| image = FILM TITLE poster.jpg
| image_size = 150
| caption = Theatrical release poster

==Credits==
Credits in the infobox should not be retrospectively altered to accommodate name changes at a later date. A person should be credited by the name they were using professionally at the time the film was made.

==Release dates==
{{shortcut|WP:FilmRelease|WP:FILMRELEASE}}
The film infobox is too small to reproduce the long lists of release dates provided by sources such as the ''Internet Movie Database''. Release dates should therefore be restricted to the film's earliest release, whether it was at a film festival or a public release, and the release date(s) in the country or countries that produced the film, excluding sneak previews or screenings. {{Tl|Film date}} should be used for the film's release dates. If other release dates are found to be notable, it may be appropriate to include them in the main body of the article ([[Water (2005 film)#Release|example]]).

Release dates for straight-to-video and television films should follow the preceding guideline for home releases and airings, respectively.

Some editors like to use flag icons instead of country names. However, this should be avoided, as flags are less recognizable than country names. See [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (flags)]] for a more detailed rationale.

== IMDb, Allmovie, and other external links ==

When this infobox template was first created, in December 2004, one of the parameters created an external link to the [[Internet Movie Database]] (IMDb). Irrespective of the fact that IMDb is not used as a [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable source]] for [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifying]] content in Wikipedia articles, it still is a resource that many people, including editors ''and'' readers of Wikipedia, often turn to.

In more recent years, additional external websites have become increasingly useful resources, including [[Allmovie]], [[Box Office Mojo]], [[British Film Institute]], [[Metacritic]], and [[Rotten Tomatoes]]. Also, modern films almost invariably have an official website. As a consequence, new external links were added to and removed from the infobox as [[Wikipedia:Consensus#Consensus can change|consensus changed]] on the subject.

Discussions about the fate of these links took place in numerous places over some time, with a number of people advocating removal of all external links from the infobox, if not the article as a whole. Others spoke of the value of having at least a link to IMDb in the infobox. Eventually, a far from undisputed consensus arose to remove all external links from the infobox and to move them to the External links section where appropriate in view of the [[Wikipedia:External links|External links guideline]].

Important points towards this [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] included fact that the infobox could not include all of the available links and that it would be inappropriate to pick and choose one or a few of those links over others. Suggestions that losing access to the most useful of the available links (typically IMDb) would damage the usefulness of film articles were not found persuasive by many since such links could still be included in the External links section and the table of contents linking to the external links section having ''all'' of the useful external links is adjacent the infobox.

External links to resources such as the [[Internet Movie Database]] (IMDb), [[Allmovie]] and any official website are no longer included in this template. Nevertheless, these resources and others may be usefully added to the "External links" section of the article using the following templates:

*{{Tlx|Allmovie title|id{{=}}am_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|Bfidb title|id{{=}}bfi_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|Mojo title|id{{=}}bom_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|IMDb title|id{{=}}imdb_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|Metacritic film|id{{=}}mc_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|rotten-tomatoes|id{{=}}rt_id|title{{=}}film title}}
*{{Tlx|Tcmdb title|id{{=}}tc_id|title{{=}}film title}}

A link to the official website, if any, may be created manually, or using the {{tlx|official website|url|name{{=}}title (optional)}} template.

==Ratings==
{{Main|WP:FILMRATING}}
Like links to IMDb, statements of a film's rating(s) have been excluded from the infobox as consensus has shifted over the years. Mainly, there are simply too many ratings systems in English-speaking countries, let alone the world over. Further, these ratings systems rarely exactly agree, and a film's rating can change drastically over time as different editions of a film are released, and re-released, to theaters, broadcast, cable/satellite/streaming, and home media. Ratings information should be integrated into the film's article.

==Preceded by/Followed by==
The "Preceded by" and "Followed by" parameters were removed on 16 February 2011. (See [[Template talk:Infobox film/Archive 19#Preceded By.2FFollowed By]])

== Microformat ==

{{UF-hcal}}

== See also ==

== References ==
{{reflist}}

<includeonly>
<!-- EDIT CATEGORIES BELOW THIS LINE-->

</includeonly>
Bureaucrats, developer, smwadministrator, Administrators
10,246

edits