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.

A Pakistani farmer guides his bulls as he competes in a traditional bull race in Khunda village in the northwestern district of Attock, some 80 kilometers from Islamabad on January 3, 2015. Tens of thousands of people gather whenever there is a bull race held in Pakistan which are usually the highlight of festivals organized in rural areas of the Asian country, and attract lots of spectators due to their thrilling nature. The traditional competition attracts landlords and farmers from all around the province where the race is held, and they all bring their fastest and strongest bulls in hopes of gaining a reputation. (Photo by Aamir Qureshi/AFP Photo)

A woman dressed up as a zombie participates in a zombie walk in Stockholm, Sweden on August 19, 2017. (Photo by Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP Photo)

Fashion lovers are seen gathering outside the shows during Paris Fashion Week, France on October 3, 2017. The over-the-knee boot trend is oh-so real this season thanks to Balenciaga, whose spandex boots have been flying off the shelves. Fashionista’s throughout fashion week battled blisters in order to look on-trend in the footwear. (Photo by Katz Sinding)

Six year old Gillian Smith preparing for the All England Stage Dancing Competition where she has previously won five certificates and a silver medal in the under sevens category. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Keystone/Getty Images). 5th July 1957

Angel Taylor Hill attends Angel Taylor Hill introduces the new Tease Dreamer Fragrance Collection at Victoria's Secret on March 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)

Gina Labianca (L) tries on a super woman outfit as Charlie Lucas tries a snow white Costume at the Halloween MegaStore Miami Beach on October 21, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida. The megastore is a temporary location for the store which opened for the holiday to sell costumes, masks and other items to people needing to dress up for the evening of October 31 when costumed people around the world observe the day. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)