"Carefully execute every instruction given to you by the director, producer, and studio. But that would be a life not worth living"

This quote by Carter Burwell is a suggestion to stay real to yourself and your own creative vision. It is a caution against blindly following guidelines from those in positions of power, as it might result in a life of creative stagnancy and misery. Burwell is recommending that it is necessary to take direction from those in authority, however to also utilize your own judgement and imagination to ensure that the final product is something that you take pride in. He is encouraging individuals to take risks and to be brave in their imaginative pursuits, as this is the only method to really make something that is significant and beneficial. Eventually, Burwell is advising us that it is essential to remain true to ourselves and our own innovative vision, even if it suggests going versus the grain.