Films
Check Engine (2024)
I. Emotional Light Inside Mechanical Silence
Museum-Quality Cultural Manifesto Reflection on Check Engine (2024 film)
Check Engine (2024 film) exists at the intersection of grief, masculinity, and the cultural silence surrounding emotional suffering.
The film approaches mental illness not as spectacle but as lived interior landscape.
At its narrative centre is Joey, a character navigating the psychological aftermath of the unexpected loss of his best friend, Ben, following a motorcycle accident. The story explores the complicated geometry of grief: anger folding into guilt, responsibility intertwining with love, and the social pressure many men experience to perform emotional strength rather than vulnerability.
The film’s philosophical contribution lies in its examination of masculine emotional expression within contemporary society.
Joey’s struggle reflects a broader cultural pattern in which vulnerability is often interpreted as weakness rather than as a necessary form of psychological honesty. The character’s internal conflict represents the tension between social expectation and human fragility.
The narrative does not treat grief as a singular event but as a persistent state of consciousness that can echo long after loss occurs.
The film communicates an essential idea:
Pain that is not spoken often searches for other ways to be heard.
The production philosophy behind the film extended beyond storytelling into lived practice.
Collaboration with Renew Psychology ensured that cast and crew members had access to mental health support during production. This integration of professional psychological care into filmmaking represents a progressive model of humane creative work.
The partnership demonstrated that artistic excellence and emotional safety are not opposing forces. Rather, they are mutually reinforcing elements of sustainable creative culture.
The project’s holistic production environment also reflected community partnership values.
Engagement with the motorcycle community through the Canadian Motorcycle Roadracing Association during August 3–4, 2024 race events helped bridge cinematic storytelling with real-world cultural identity.
Motorcycling culture often embodies freedom, risk awareness, mechanical precision, and personal courage. These thematic qualities resonate symbolically with the film’s exploration of grief, control, and motion through emotional turbulence.
Support from local food partner Wismo provided practical nourishment for cast and crew through individually packaged buttermilk biscuit snacks, reinforcing a philosophy that creative labour is sustained not only by vision but by physical and emotional care.
II. Masculinity, Mental Health, and Cultural Conversation
Calgary Creative Industry Editorial
Check Engine (2024 film) contributes meaningfully to the evolving Canadian conversation about men’s mental health.
The film addresses the social stigma that often discourages emotional disclosure among men, particularly in contexts where cultural norms equate strength with silence.
The narrative encourages a redefinition of courage.
Courage is not presented as emotional suppression but as the willingness to acknowledge suffering and seek support.
The involvement of community mental health professionals during production demonstrates an emerging model for ethical storytelling in sensitive thematic domains. This approach suggests that future film production environments may increasingly integrate wellness resources as standard practice rather than exceptional accommodation.
Independent Canadian cinema has a unique opportunity to lead globally in this domain.
III. Community Production Philosophy
The production of Check Engine (2024 film) was guided by a collaborative independent production structure consistent with an ACTRA Alberta Independent Production framework.
Key creative leadership included:
• Writing by Kevin Moriarity and Jesus Ortiz
• Production leadership from Kukulcan Productions
• Executive and collaborative production contributions including Lance Royal Smith and Victoria Givlin
The project demonstrates how independent film ecosystems can function through partnership networks rather than large studio capital structures.
IV. Cultural Meaning of the Title
The metaphor of “Check Engine” operates on multiple interpretive levels.
A warning indicator in mechanical systems signals that attention is required before continued motion.
The film uses this symbol to represent the human condition:
People often continue moving forward even when internal systems are asking for care.
The story invites audiences to consider the possibility that stopping to seek help is not failure, but maintenance of life itself.
Closing Reflection
Check Engine (2024 film) contributes to Canadian independent cinema by positioning mental health, community partnership, and narrative authenticity as inseparable elements of production.
The film stands as a cultural statement that storytelling can serve both artistic and humanitarian purpose.
The project’s legacy is not only in its screen presence but in its production philosophy: that filmmaking can be an act of care.
The engine of humanity does not run on perfection.
It runs on attention, compassion, and the courage to pause when warning lights appear.
Community Sponsorships
Renew Psychology
In bringing Check Engine to life, Victoria recognized the importance of not only telling a story rooted in emotional truth but also creating a production environment that prioritized the wellbeing of everyone involved.
To align with the series’ powerful mental health narrative, Victoria spearheaded a collaboration with Renew Psychology, a leading mental health practice in Calgary dedicated to compassionate, evidence-based care. This partnership ensured that cast and crew members had access to a certified mental health practitioner throughout production — a vital step in fostering open dialogue, emotional support, and balance on set.
The inclusion of Renew Psychology was more than a sponsorship — it was a statement of purpose. By integrating mental health professionals into the creative process, Victoria and the team reinforced the message at the heart of Check Engine: taking care of your mind is just as essential as pursuing your passions.
This collaboration set a new standard for holistic, mindful filmmaking — where storytelling, safety, and emotional wellness drive the engine together.
The Canadian Motorcycle Roadracing Association
Extending this spirit of connection beyond the production, Victoria initiated the Check Engine production team to also partner with the Calgary Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA). The team joined the community at a live motorcycle race day weekend August 3rd & 4th, 2024, where they were able to promote the film, meet local riders, and engage with a passionate network that values both the thrill of the ride and the importance of safety.
Wismo
In addition, thanks to Victoria’s outreach, Check Engine welcomed a collaboration with Wismo, a local snack company dedicated to providing convenient, nourishing options for everyday life. Understanding that balanced nutrition plays a key role in maintaining mental health, Wismo supplied a selection of their Biscuit Stick Buttermilk Healthy Snacks — individually wrapped and perfect for travel, school, or set life. These thoughtful snack packs helped sustain energy and morale for the cast and crew, reinforcing the production’s holistic approach to wellness, care, and balance throughout the filmmaking process.
These collaborations — bridging mental health advocacy and the motorcycle community — reflect Victoria’s commitment to storytelling that not only entertains but uplifts, educates, and unites people across shared values of care, courage, and community.
Minuteman Press
Further supporting the project’s creative spirit, Victoria also facilitated a partnership with her friends at Minuteman Press (6th Street SE, Calgary), who generously helped design and produced custom Check Engine t-shirts for the cast and crew. These shirts not only fostered a sense of unity and pride on set, but also became part of a merchandise initiative to help raise funds toward production efforts.
By connecting local business owners to the film’s creative journey, Victoria helped create opportunities for the community to take part in supporting independent storytelling — proving that collaboration, both big and small, fuels the heart of every meaningful production.
Fake James and Sounds & Scenes
Victoria partnered with her friend Fake James and Sounds & Scenes for the Calgary premiere of I’m Seeing Things, a collection of short films exploring mental health, addiction, and resilience. The Check Engine cast and crew attended in support, celebrating the work of Ty Javos and Fake James while helping to bring awareness to important mental health conversations. Fake James also played a key role in the audio editing of Check Engine, exemplifying mutual arts collaboration and contributing original songs that advocate for mental health. This partnership reflects Victoria’s commitment to fostering community, supporting wellness, and collaborating with artists who share the film’s core values.
Social Media Graphics
Victoria also designed and created multiple social media graphics to help share the film’s meaning, themes, and message across digital platforms. Her creative contributions made it easier for the team and partners to communicate the story’s impact, engage audiences, and spread awareness of the film’s core values in a visually compelling and effective way.
