The original outline for 'Mississippi Grind' was actually an attempt to go funny. But when we showed it to people we realized that maybe it wasn't as funny to other people as it was to us - we have a pretty specific sense of what's funny - and then we thought, O.K., we need to do this more like we would actually make one of our movies.

Ryan Fleck’s quote reflects the process of evolution and adaptation in the making of Mississippi Grind. He explains that the original outline for the film was initially an attempt to create something more funny, but after sharing it with others, they realized it didn’t resonate as much with audiences as it did with them. This moment of realization highlights the difference between a creator’s personal sense of humor and the wider audience's perception of what’s funny, acknowledging that comedy can be highly subjective.

The statement “we have a pretty specific sense of what's funny” reflects Fleck and his co-creator’s unique approach to humor. They recognized that their sense of humor might be more niche or personal, making it challenging to translate that into something universally entertaining. By realizing this, they had to reconsider how they approached the film, shifting away from their original comedic vision to align more closely with their true style and creative instincts.

Fleck's comment that they then decided to make the movie “more like we would actually make one of our movies” shows the importance of authenticity in filmmaking. Instead of trying to cater to what they thought would be broadly appealing, they chose to embrace their own vision and approach, even if it meant stepping away from the initial comedic tone. This pivot reflects a common experience in the creative process, where initial ideas can evolve and change as you better understand your audience and the story you want to tell.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Fleck and his co-director Anna Boden’s collaborative work on Mississippi Grind, which balances elements of drama and comedy. Their shift in approach shows how creative teams often adjust their work based on feedback and self-reflection to ensure that their final product is as true to their artistic intent as possible. The quote speaks to the fluidity of the filmmaking process and the importance of aligning a project with one’s authentic voice.