In order to explore the creative process, Howard Schatz directs and photographs actors as they respond to his situational prompts. Initially shot for Schatz’s book, In Character: Actors Acting (Bulfinch, 2006), this collaborative project has continued in V.F., where the sessions regularly appear as photo triptychs in the Vanities section. For the December issue, Schatz sat down with Ricky Gervais, creator of The Office and reigning king of cringe comedy, who, when he wasn’t cracking up the photographer, opened up about his specific breed of humor.

Plus: See the complete “In Character” portfolio.