Sometimes, when you work with directors who have done it a lot and are established in the business and know the game, there are all these rules that they have. First-time directors will allow you to come in with choices. They're not so jaded by actors that they're like, 'Ugh, just do your job, man.'
What I love to do requires portraying different characters, and you have to separate your life from the role.
Sometimes I'll flip through a magazine and do a double take when I see myself in it, it's just crazy!