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.

More than 1,200 vintage posters that would send any movie buff into orbit were discovered in an Ohio garage, including the only known copy of an almost 7-foot-tall creation for the 1947 reissue of “Dracula” that could sell for $40,000. The Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in Dallas puts them all on the block March 22 and 23, including some rare specimens from the silent movie era. (Photo by Courtesy Heritage Auctions)

A lightning strikes St Peter's dome at the Vatican on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI announced today he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28 because his age prevented him from carrying out his duties – an unprecedented move in the modern history of the Catholic Church. (Photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP Photo)

Julya Baer, 30, attends a candlelight vigil and celebration of Prince's life in Leimert Park in memory of musician Prince on April 21, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Prince died earlier today at his Paisley Park compound at the age of 57. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

A guest proposes to his companion as they arrive for the screening of “Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 23 May 2019. The movie is presented in the Official Competition of the festival which runs from 14 to 25 May. (Photo by Julien Warnand/EPA/EFE)

A sculpture made by activists on Lambeth bridge during the Extinction Rebellion protest in London, England on October 7, 2019. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

American model and television personality Kendall Jenner attends the Longchamp 70th Anniversary Celebration at Opera Garnier on September 11, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Maitre/WWD/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A military cadet gets help from a colleague to adjust her hair before taking part the military parade in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, December 1, 2018, as thousands turned out Saturday to celebrate 100-years since Romania became a modern-day state, amid concerns about rule of law and the state of democracy. Crowds braved temperatures of minus 5 Celsius (23 Fahrenheit) to watch the military parade of troops, tanks and military vehicles. (Photo by Vadim Ghirda/AP Photo)