ABOUT
Threshing Media specializes in documentary-style storytelling and music-focused media, with a heavy emphasis on outsider culture and found media.
Started in 2013, by Ryan Sarnowski, Threshing Media set out to document the last days of a man devoted to a forgotten, Midwestern cult. The results of this effort became Manlife, a feature length documentary that won the Audience Award at the 2017 Chicago Underground Film Festival. In 2018, Manlife became one of the first film distributed by Cow Lamp Films.
Outside of documentaries, Threshing Media enjoys working with fringe musicians to cook-up fun and frugal music videos. Forever in love with the mystery and magic of editing, Threshing Media prides itself on being able to extract the best from whatever material is given.
If there were a motto for Threshing Media, it would be:
Separate the wheat from the chaff and jam econo, forever.
Whether working directly with artists or other production companies, Threshing Media believes collaboration creates more meaningful ideas, deeper communication, and better art.
Threshing Media has often collaborated with other production companies and organizations to provide additional storytelling skills and cost-conscious creative problem-solving techniques to their projects.
Below are select highlights of the work Threshing Media has contributed to over the past few years:
The Saga of the Whittled Hodag
371 PRODUCTIONS and JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER
This fantastical musical video tells of a whittled Hodag that came to life when "The Thief" snatched him from his creator. Written and performed by Jim White (Thief) and Paul Fonfara (Carnival Barker), the song and visuals are inspired by the life and work of Wisconsin visionary artist Levi Fisher Ames and the tall tales he would sing about the hundreds of natural and mythic creatures he would carve out of wood.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
Kidoodle Story Snacks
TANKTHINK, WES TANK, and KIDOODLE.TV
Kidoodle Story Snacks were designed to be high-energy and educational bumpers featuring the host of Wes Tank's StoryRaps. Twelve StorySnacks were produced and played routinely on Kidoddle.TV and online.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Writing
Videography
Editing
Present Music: Neon Life
TANKTHINK and PRESENT MUSIC
For its final virtual ensemble concert, Present Music took to Turner Hall, performing pieces by Aviya Kopelman, Henry Threadgill, David Lang, Tansy Davies and Daniel Kidane. Their performance was intermingled with a series of short films focused on reconnecting with life.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Directing
Producing
Editing
Videography
Wisconsin Foodie
WISCONSIN FOODIE and PBS WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Foodie is an independently produced, Emmy winning television series dedicated to exploring the culinary culture and innovations across the state of Wisconsin.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
Videography
Wes Tank’s StoryRaps
TANKTHINK, WES TANK, and KIDOODLE.TV
StoryRaps was an original children’s show featuring viral YouTube sensation, Wes Tank, putting a hip-hop spin on classic works of literature. It ran for one season on Kidoodle.TV
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Writing
Videography
MSO Winter Quartet
TANKTHINK and MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A short series of outdoor holiday musical performances by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra shot beneath the marquee of the new Bradley Symphony Center at the Warner Theater in downtown Milwaukee.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
Videography
Present Music: Reality Check
TANKTHINK and PRESENT MUSIC
When the reality of COVID hit, Present Music was forced to re-imagine their concert series. Taking to an empty parking structure, the Present Music ensemble gathers with hip-hop artist Klassik, soprano Sarah Brailey, and theater artist Sheri Williams Pannell to perform music by Klassik, Frederic Rzewski, David T. Little, Emma O’Halloran, and Gil Scott-Heron.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
Videography
Milwaukee Socialism
TANKTHINK and MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
A short documentary designed to showcase Milwaukee Public Library’s large collection of socialist material gathered from the three different eras when the city had a socialist Mayor.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Videography
Editing
Once a Buck, Always a Buck
RADIO TOWER PRODUCTIONS, MILWAUKEE BUCKS, NBA.COM
The Once a Buck, Always a Buck video series played during Bucks games and online as a way to showcase long-time Bucks fans and their unique passion for the team.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Editing
Ode to Sheboygan
JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER and ERIK LJUNG
A short documentary highlighting the work of poets Kevin Coval and Jamila Woods from Young Chicago Authors (YCA) as they help residents of Sheboygan develop their writing. Their work culminated in a closing performance where results developed during the residency are shared by the local writers/performers.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Editing
Shout Trout Workout
TANKTHINK, WES TANK and SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
Science and silliness come together as Wes Tank raps from a graphic novel about trout migration while performing his best interpretation of a migrating trout. Collaboration with Swansea University in Wales, UK, TankThink, LLC, and Wes Tank for World Fish Migration Day: October 24th.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
Videography
MSO 2020 Gala Shorts
TANKTHINK and MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
When the pandemic forced the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to hold a virtual gala a series of short videos was produced to hype the construction of the Symphony’s new home inside the historical Warner Theater.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Editing
The Books
TANKTHINK, WES TANK and
UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE & WAUKESHA COUNTY
Inspirational rap video designed to raise donations to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Emerging Readers program. Wes Tank visits one of his favorite bookstores, where he professes his love of books and reading by putting a playful spin on a classic Kurtis Blow track.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Writng
Editing
Videography
Habitat for Humanity:
The Cost of Home
TANKTHINK and MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY and
A 3-part mini-documentary examining Milwaukee’s affordable housing crisis, how it came to be and how Habitat for Humanity produces empowerment and change through homeownership.
Threshing Media’s Roles:
Producing
Videography
Editing