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.

Women look on as Sauber's German driver Pascal Wehrlein steers his car during the second practice session at the Monaco street circuit on May 25, 2017 in Monaco, three days ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrej Isakovic/AFP Photo)

Ciara attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 90th Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 4, 2018. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP Photo)

Russian Police academy female cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany, is Russia's most important secular holiday celebrated on May 9. (Photo by Dmitry Lovetsky/AP Photo)

The Anthem Veterans Memorial was created in Anthem, Arizona, in order to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the US soldiers that have lost their lives in order to bring peace and democracy to many nations throughout the world. Without these brave souls so many countries around the world would not be able to enjoy the fruits of Western Democracy. These pillars serve as a place of honor for military veterans, their friends and family, and to those people who want to pay their respect to the courageous men and women who continue to serve the United States. (Photo by Anthem Community Council)

Pitch invader Kinsey Wolanski is taken away by security during the Champions League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Saturday, June 1, 2019. (Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters)

Women take part in the desert trek “Rose Trip Maroc”, on November 1, 2019 in the erg Chebbi near Merzouga. The Rose Trip Maroc is a female-oriented trek where teams of three must travel through the southern Moroccan Sahara desert with a compass, a map and a topographical reporter. (Photo by Jean-Philippe Ksiazek/AFP Photo)