There's no question about Jim Rash's writing skills: The "Community" actor is nominated for an Oscar for adapting "The Descendants" with writing partner Nat Faxon and director Alexander Payne.
But that doesn't mean Rash makes suggestions about "Community" scripts.
"I'm sort of in awe of what they do on 'Community' in terms of shifting the tone of the show but keeping the integrity of the characters intact," he told TheWrap. "If someone said sit down and write a "Community" episode, I would be panicked. But I'm also not spending hours in the room with them and watching their process. I just get to watch the end result, which is pretty amazing."
Also read: 'Community' Star Jim Rash Says Cast 'Optimistic' It Will Return
Rash, who has also spent 12 years doing sketch and improv with The Groundlings, says character is what unifies all of his work – from short skits to "epic," homage-filled episodes of "Community," to the wrenching family struggle of "The Descendants."
"I like pulling from things I know, as does Nat," he said of Faxon, who like Rash acts as well as writes. "Like everybody, we have fantastic family members to use and skewer, which we have. In a loving way."
Payne asked Rash and Faxon (below right) to adapt Kaui Hart Hemmings' novel, "The Descendants," after they made the Black List of great, unproduced scripts for writing "The Way Back." The screenplay balanced comedy and drama much as "The Descendants" does.
Also read: 'Breaking Bad' Star Visits 'Community'
Payne then took his own pass on their adaptation. In addition to the trio's nomination for best adapted screenplay, the film is also nominated for best picture and three other Oscars, including a director nomination for Payne.
Rash talked to us about how improv and sketch made him a better writer, how he divides writing with Faxon, and what he wants for his high-strung, never-satisfied "Community" character, Dean Felton.
TheWrap: The most memorable part of "The Descendants" for me is Matt King (George Clooney) and his daughter (Shailene Woodley) venting at his wife while she's comatose. Where did that idea originate?
Rash: The scene where Clooney yells at her is not in the novel. That would be a touch of the finesse of Mr. Alexander Payne. He liked that idea of him yelling at her, because he was obviously so angry. The older daughter did say sort of crass things to her mother in the novel… so that anger is more evidenced in the novel from the daughters, not so much from Matt. He's more spinning in the book as far as trying to control them. But it felt good to have him have a release as well.
Your improv work at The Groundlings seems like a nice midpoint between writing and acting: You're writing it on your feet, and performing as you write.
