The economic viability of art has been a subject of scrutiny for centuries. The complexity of balancing creative spaces and basic necessities like housing is central to the debate being explored in the short film Placeholder, which premiered at the Trapdoor Theatre in UCD on the 7th of February. Produced as part of a research project by Jaime Jones from the UCD School of Music, the film explores DIY music and the precarity of practice and performance spaces in Ireland.
At its core, the film effectively lays the groundwork for understanding a pressing issue in Ireland— the shrinking availability of creative spaces. Featuring two DIY bands, Rising Damp and Grave Goods, it examines how the worsening accommodation crisis has forced artists into cramped, makeshift settings. While Placeholder manages to highlight the problem, it refrains from probing deeper or offering any potential solutions.
However, it is definitely a conversation starter and holds potential for further development. Filmmakers Ian Chestnutt, David Knox, Thom McDermott and Seán Treacy capture the gravity of the issue yet manage to uphold the joy of creating DIY music. Across its 26-minute runtime, the film skillfully juxtaposes static frames of warning signs like “Mind Your Head” and “Beware of Rats” with scenes of musicians immersed in their craft, their instruments crammed into tight spaces. These shots speak for themselves, and the interview voiceovers compliment the narrative. The interviewees never talk on camera, which may be a deliberate creative choice. However, including their faces in the frame while they speak would have added a layer of credibility and a stronger personal connection to their narratives.
An interesting creative choice is the use of bright ambient lighting during performances, which momentarily eclipses the underlying struggles, reinforcing the resilience of artistic expression. The incorporation of natural sound from the band performances breaks the fourth wall and invites the audience to experience how DIY music enables a “third space” quality for collaboration.
The film concludes with a poignant performance, as a singer remarks, “I hope it lasts forever. Nothing lasts forever.” This closing line encapsulates the paradox of sustaining hope in an unforgiving system. Overall, Placeholder is fast-paced and follows a clear narrative structure, yet its unpolished, organic aesthetic preserves the essence of DIY artistry. It certainly leaves an impression— though how long it lingers in the viewer’s mind remains an open question. The trailer for the project can be found here.
Arpita Chowdhury – Contributor
