Uta Hagen made a series of nine steps that actors should live by.  She believed that If you can master all of these before you go in to record the first scene you will be a great actor.
1.  WHO AM I?  

2.  WHAT TIME IS IT?  

3.  WHERE AM I?  

4.  WHAT SURROUNDS ME?  

5.  WHAT ARE THE GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES?  

6.  WHAT IS MY RELATIONSHIP?  

7.  WHAT DO I WANT?  

8.  WHAT IS IN MY WAY?  

9.  WHAT DO I DO TO GET WHAT I WANT?