Dear THU team,

My name is Sara Bernal (aka Sara Bernardt). I am excited and humbled to be given this opportunity to express myself and have the chance to participate in this wonderful initiative.

A lil bit of background: I have always draw, paint and create, though I am a selft-taught digital artist who jumps to any chance of learning and thus decided to join all kind of valuable teaching courses. I have worked for an indie game as a 2D character concept artist, for Netflix as a digital matte painter and lately for Xelliun Productions doing storyboards, concepts, matte paintings and motion capture acting. Furthermore I have led 4 teams at Game Jams including at Microsoft, crafting 4 little games.

Among a few unlocked achievements I can count myself lucky and grateful for are winning a Wacom Speedpainting contest, been featured by Spanish Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza & Coca Cola twice doing a Character Concept Art project, been Cover Artist for and featured by Allen & Houston Magazine and attend BAFTA Games Awards Ceremony 2018 thanks to Square Enix. Adittionally I have moved my artwork around 16 exhibitions worldwide.

The main reason I decided to apply to THU Creators Circle is the necessity of getting women voices heard in the game industry. We are plenty and we are here (not only women really!), with our ideas and initiatives waiting for a chance to become reality. Mine is in the oven, baking slowly but steadily, awaiting the crucial moment to be pitched, produced, showcased, played and enjoyed as a pumpking pie (or cheesecake?). I believe in sorority, equity, adaptability, inclusion and progress, and I cannot wait to find a lovely team to develop together playable experiences aiming to reach people's hearts and inspire future generations. I am deeply founded of the idea that video games are art that mixed with new technologies will bring positive changes to the world. I see utterly clear the moment when this poutpurry of technology, art, enjoyment and limitless possibilities will become the 10th Art, worthy of being recognized by the general public as much more than just a mere distraction. But for that we need to join forces and hardwork on this to stop being a dream. So let's go! 

Bonus info for reading this far: My main passion is….drawing! In my "free" time I keep drawing + working as a director/ artist on a game I am building in Unreal Engine 5  and a business plan for the creation of a company, with the help of mentors, friends, and kind souls who believe deeply in the idea. Learning new technologies, as geek, is a must. I am extremely passionate about art (who would have guessed), techs, videogames, books (I read A LOT), inspiring films, soul touching music (ever heard of Newretrowave?)…knowledge in general.

Favourite things in life: Peace, love, respect, nature, beloved ones, animals... (Now, what you really want to hear: Harry Potter, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Sci-fi (all, quite literally), matcha green tea, Japanese culture, my cat, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Jim Henson's movies (Dark Crystal, Labyrinth), and sunny weather. And light sabers, seriously. And Spaceships. And the universe. And color pink...Sorry...Not sorry!

I like helping others.

People say I'm a social butterfly (I consider myself an introvert but I accept opinions), charismatic, empathic, open minded and a "go getter", so I guess I should believe it, though is hard :) 

Thank you for reading Bible 2.0. I am super looking forward to learning more about this experience, network, grow and even making new friends. Again, feeling grateful and humbled about this 🙏🌸 Arigatou Gozaimasu !! Thank you very much!, Muchas Gracias!, Merci Beaucoup! 😊

Sara ッ