There are many ways to get into character and actors often research the jobs, hobbies, or activities of the characters they play so they are able to put themselves in that frame of mind. Physical appearance can be important in creating a character as well, and actors will often lose or gain weight, or change their hair colour to physically create the character they are playing. If the part demands any kind of emotional drama (for example, coping with a death), an actor often researches people who have experienced what the storyline depicts in order to realistically understand and convey the emotions involved.
