Unicorns & Unicorns, the studio founded by Adrianne McCurrach and Sun Komen, has added executive producer Mercedes Allen-Sarria to its BIPOC, LGBTQIA and women-led creative roster/team. As an active board member of the AICP and with a lifelong career fostering relationships between production, agencies, directors, unions, and the commercial industry at large, Allen-Sarria offers a unique combination of on-the-ground and behind the scenes expertise to effectively deliver on well-rounded creative goals.
“Mercedes is a veteran of the industry and carries with her a deep understanding of how to make magic happen–she is a true Unicorn,” shared McCurrach. “She’s a natural fit and brings such an important infusion of energy, joy and leadership to the stable.”
“We’re thrilled to continue to strengthen our integrated creative studio with Mercedes and her amazing production and experiential brain (and not have to bid against her anymore),” added Komen.
Allen-Sarria’s 15+ years paying her dues in the production industry led her to Biscuit Filmworks in Los Angeles where she spent five years as head of production while simultaneously exec producing experiential, music and special projects. At Biscuit, she discovered her passion for non-traditional storytelling and the ever-evolving world of immersive content, which requires the merging of technology and story to make a human connection. This ultimately led her to HELO, where she worked as an executive producer and director of production/immersive content for two years.
During the recent global crisis that put many production companies on pause, working with a biotech engineering company, she simultaneously opened high complexity COVID testing labs all over the United States with Sony Studios and Netflix that allowed many major Hollywood films, television shows, and commercials to safely continue filming.
Allen-Sarria has also dedicated much of her career to mentoring youth filmmakers and supporting several outreach organizations that give back to at-risk youth and individuals.
“Full circle moments in life can be magical,” said Allen-Sarria. “I first met Adrianne over 20 years ago. She is a force of a human; tenacious, smart, and an incredible leader and I have spent the past two decades by her side in some capacity both professionally and personally. Getting to now work at the company she’s long envisioned, tangibly manifested and fearlessly constructed is nothing short of a dream come true. What Adrianne and Sun have done in such a short amount of time at Unicorns & Unicorns is remarkable. They are truly walking the walk when it comes to inclusion, diversity, and the entire ethos of striving to be and do good in this industry and our communities. I look forward to bringing my multifaceted years of experience to this team and continuing to foster the magic they have created.”
2022 has been productive for Unicorns & Unicorns, having recently completed projects for Merrell, Miller Lite, YouTube, and the Smithsonian Institute with upcoming projects for Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Chevrolet, Facebook, Burger King and more coming out later this year.
