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.

Aiden Haas, left, and Lilli Alcala pose after being crowned Mud King and Mud Queen at the 29th annual Mud Day, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in Westland, Mich. The event, open to children 12 and younger, was at the Hines Park-Nankin Mills Area west of Detroit. Children 12 and younger were able to slosh around in the pit while participating in mud limbo, wheelbarrow races and other free activities. (Photo by Carlos Osorio/AP Photo)

Cyclists compete during the UCI BMX World Championships Elite Women's Moto Race on May 29, 2016 in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia. (Photo by Raul Arboleda/AFP Photo)

(L-R) Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, J K Rowling and Rupert Grint attend the World Premiere of “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1” held at The Odeon Leicester Square on November 11, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Members of the Baby Dolls, a traditional Mardi Gras social club, dance during a second line parade honoring music legend Fats Domino, in New Orleans, Wednesday, November 1, 2017. The thousand-strong group marched and danced from Vaughn's Lounge to Domino's former home in the Lower 9th Ward. Domino, a New Orleans native, died this past week. (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

A potential Banksy has appeared on Vale Street in Bristol, United Kingdom on December 10, 2020. The elusive artist is from the city and is known for creating new works without anyone catching him in the act. An image of an old woman sneezing without covering her mouth has been spotted on a wall in the Totterdown area – a possible nod to the current health crisis. Crowds are already gathering at the bottom of Vale Street – one of Britain's steepest roads – to take pictures and discuss. (Photo by South West News Service/Action Press)

California “weed nun” Christine Meeusen, 57, (R), and India Delgado, who goes by the name Sister Eevee, smoke a joint at Sisters of the Valley near Merced, California, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

A girl struggles with winds from approaching Typhoon Matmo along the eastern coast of Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. (Photo by Wally Santana/AP Photo)