View source for The Reel Life of Policemen

Title: The Reel Life of Policemen: Mass-Mediated Fictional Portrayals of Policemen in Filipino Prime Time Television Dramas and Movies

Abstract: Borgonia, G. A. R. (201l). ''The reel life of policemen: Mass-mediated fictional portrayals of policemen in Filipino prime time television dramas and movies.''
Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines College of Mass
Communication.

This study explored mass-mediated portrayals of policemen in Filipino prime time
television dramas, namely: ''May Bukas Pa, Noah,'' and ''Pilyang Kerubin'' and movies, ''Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Misstaken,'' and ''You Got Me'' through content analysis.
The researcher then conducted focus interviews with directors, producers and
scriptwriters of Filipino prime time television dramas and movies who are the experts in
these media. The researcher used the Dominant Ideology theory of Marx and the
Dramatism theory of Burke as the theoretical guide.
Data from the content analysis revealed that characterizations of policemen are
composed of both positive and negative portrayals. The positive portrayals emerged with
the highest frequencies. Devotion to duty, being presentable in terms of the proper use of
the police uniform and being physically fit are the top portrayals of policemen.
Directors, producers and scriptwriters also portrayed police characters positively
from their past works. Experts revealed that the profession of the character does not
dictate whether they would be portrayed positively or negatively. A positive or a
negative portrayal would matter if the character is a lead or a supporting character. As
such, there are no stereotypes of the police character in Filipino prime time television
dramas and movies as what the PNP suggests. On the other hand, if such portrayals of
police officers are to be made, experts make sure that these are what exist in reality.

Keywords: policemen, television, dramas, movies, directors, producers, scriptwriters, filipino