This is one of my favorite expressions in deal making. What is your interpretation of it? How could it come into play as a useful reminder as a media composer?
For me, it means a few things:
A primary one is, it really doesn’t matter how others elect to spend their money. If a producer places great value paying for a particular actor, or cinematographer, caterer or song it really has nothing to do with you unless you are that actor, cinematographer, caterer or songwriter.
Stay in your own lane when discussing money. Comparisons are the the killer of happiness… and are ineffectual negotiating tactics.
Comparisons of how others spend their money are extremely superficial relying on lots of speculation, mixing apples with oranges and leaving out tons of unknown factors. Focus on your own deal. That is what your deal is about.
Unless you are negotiating for craft services, it really doesn’t matter how much they paid for bagels on the set. Another meaning is to stop thinking about how others live their financial lives.
Everyone has their own goals, priorities, risks and reasons of how and why they spend their money. They will live the trade-offs and consequences of their own financial decisions.
It is hard enough to live your own life. Looking over the fence and judging others is a recipe for an empty and unpleasant meal.
