In this Saturday, September 5, 2015, photo, three women in costumes look at sea life swimming above them during a private party held at the Georgia Aquarium as part of Dragon Con in Atlanta. The convention draws fans from around the country to take part in sci-fi and fantasy costume contests, a massive parade through downtown Atlanta and educational seminars about science and costume making. (Photo by Ron Harris/AP Photo)

Photographer Howard Schatz had an idea: place actors in a series of roles and dramatic situations to reveal the essence of their characters. Such was the premise behind his book, In Character: Actors Acting, which captures some of Hollywood’s most emotive stars in the act of, well, making faces. Luckily for us, he continued the tradition for Vanity Fair. Here are some of the best.

Model Amber Rose attends the Maxim Hot 100 Party at the Hollywood Palladium on July 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

People gather to watch the eruption of the Mauna Loa Volcano while the lava flow is covered with the clouds in Hawaii, U.S. December 3, 2022. (Photo by Go Nakamura/Reuters)

8 May 2001: Ronnie O'Sullivan of England poses for pictures at the Hilton Hotel with the trophy and his girlfriend Bianca Westwood after winning Embassy World Championship Snooker Final in Sheffield.

Actress Maddie Ziegler holds her bag as she poses during People's “Ones To Watch” event celebrating Hollywood's rising and brightest stars in West Hollywood, California September 16, 2015. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Reuters)

A 40-foot sculpture of the swimmer Rebecca Adlington was unveiled at the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park on July 25, 2016 to launch a campaign by Kelloggs to encourage the public to support Team GB at the Rio Olympics. (Photo by David Parry/PA Wire/Barcroft Images)

Brazilian model and actress Alessandra Ambrosio seen wearing a Gucci fanny pack and boots from Dior on April 15, 2018 in Indio, California. (Photo by Timur Emek/GC Images)