The big picture

• Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks to Zach Braff about his small but important role in
  Bad monkey,
  where his acting performance is influenced by his experience as a director.
• Braff is grateful for Bill Lawrence’s brotherly support and admires Vince Vaughn’s riffing skills on set.
• Braff hints at directing two episodes of
  shrinkage
  Season 2 and his experience as a director of old legends like Harrison Ford.

Zach Braff has had success in front of and behind the camera and now shares the screen with the comedy genius Vince Vaughn in the new Apple TV+ series Evil Monkey. Although his role is small, it is crucial in this show. Vaughn plays former cop Andrew Yancy, who investigates a murder to restore his reputation. In addition to a pesky monkey, they are joined by Michelle Monaghan (The family plan), L. Scott Caldwell (On the run), Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2), Meredith Hagner (Search party), Alex Moffat (Saturday Night Live), Natalie Martinez (The promise of return), Ronald Peet (First Reformed), And Jodie Turner Smith (According to Yang).

In an interview with Collider Steve Weintraub talks to Braff about his experience returning to acting for this role after his many directorial engagements. Braff talks about his gratitude to Bill Lawrence and admiration for Vaughn’s riffs. He also hints that he will be working on two key episodes of the upcoming second season of shrinkageand talks about his experiences working with legendary actors like Harrison Ford. Hear how his directing influences his acting in the video above, or follow Braff in the transcript below.

Zach Braff and Bill Lawrence: From “Scrubs” and Beyond

“He’s like a brother to me.”

COLLIDER: Congratulations on the series: small role, key role.

ZACH BRAFF: I’m really excited about how it turned out. I knew it was a small role, but I was just happy to work with (Rob) Delaney, Vince Vaughn and Meredith Hagner. Now that I’ve got it all figured out, I’m like, “Oh, wow. I have a bigger role than I thought.”

You play a key role in this. I must start with the most important question. Bill Lawrence has fundamentally changed your life. There is Scrubs; he has you on an episode of Ted Lassofor which you received an Emmy nomination; he let you direct shrinkageHe got you a role in Evil Monkey. What is it like to shop for him on his birthday?

BRAFF: He’s the ultimate example of “What do you give the man who has everything?” You’re right. He was just a huge advocate for my goals. I’m so, so grateful to him, and that goes beyond what you said. When I make my movies, he’s the first person to give me script notes. When I finish a cut, he’s the first person to give me editorial notes. He gives me so much life advice. We go to the sauna together. We lie in the sauna and give each other life advice. He is like a brother to mehe is like my big brother and I am just so grateful for him.

What if he asks you to do something like that? Does he text you and say, “Hey, you need to come to Florida for a couple of weeks?”

BRAFF: Because Bill is such a big advocate of mine, he said, “I have this role, and it’s not something a casting director would consider you for, but I’d love to see you in it.” Of course, I do whatever he says. I really appreciated that. I was just thrilled to be in a scene with Vince Vaughn. It was great to play something different than what I normally play.

It was hard not to ruin recordings with Vince Vaughn

One of the things about Vince –obviously I know you’re as much a fan as I am — is that he has such a unique way of saying his lines. What I liked about it was watching the people in the background and the other characters really laughing at what he’s saying. It’s not a hidden laugh. What’s it like actually doing a scene with him where he’s reading the script but then trying out these alternatives and trying to find the best version of it?

BRAFF: I’ve never experienced anything like it, to be honest. With most people who improvise, sometimes it just goes nowhere. You use the good ones and cut the bad ones. He improvises so effortlessly and it’s always funny. The most important thing is not to ruin the take because you’re bound to stare at him with a smile on your face. He’s so surprising. He’s the quickest-witted actor I’ve ever worked with.

He has been making me laugh for a very, very, very long time, just like you.

BRAFF: Thank you.

After directing, Zach Braff admits: “Being an actor is a bit boring”

You have been directing for many, many years now. How has your work as an actor changed compared to the years you have spent acting for other directors?

BRAFF: You think, “How are they going to cut this?” Whether it’s the shot or your performance, I feel like you’re wondering, “Where are we in the script? How do you think this is going to be cut into the movie? What shot do you think this line is going to be in?” You can’t help but dissect a scene that way. I think it informs me. Not that you ever get it just that way, because that would be absurd, but you’re at least thinking, “This monologue is clearly being played from one of these two perspectives. I need to make sure I do my best on it.” That’s just happening in your head as you go along.

How often do you look on set now at what lenses people are using and just can’t help but see how they’re going to block it?

BRAFF: Well, I love that stuff. Every set I’m on, I talk to the DP about why he chose this camera system or these lenses, just because I’m a techie. The funny thing is, when you become an actor again, it’s a bit boring. Being a director is so stressful and you have to answer questions all day long in rapid succession. As an actor, you do your scene, then you sit back in the trailer and think: “I forgot, there’s not much to do.” (laughs)

I’ve been on a lot of sets and it’s not as exciting as people think.

BRAFF: No, and people are always disappointed, no matter who they are. They always say: “You are Despite it make the scene?”

Braff directed two pivotal episodes of the second season of “Shrinking”

I like it when you are behind the camera. Have you directed shrinkage Season 2? What are you working on?

BRAFF: I have two episodes of shrinkage Season 2 – really pivotal episodes, (episodes) 3 and 4. It’s really exciting. This year’s season is incredible. It’s such a surreal exercise being friends with Harrison Ford and directing him. I never get over it. That’s the main thing I’ve been doing lately: submitting my cuts for those two episodes.

I’m a huge fan of the show. I just spoke to Bill about the three seasons and he kind of explained the story arcs to me. What’s it like directing Harrison Ford and how often do you question everything you’re about to say?

BRAFF: Well, that’s the thing. I’ve directed Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Harrison Ford, Ian Holm. I’ve directed some old legends, and I’ll tell you: You want a director as much as anybody else. You don’t want someone to show up and be intimidated. Everyone, no matter who you are as an actor, wants a confident leader. So don’t get me wrong, I definitely have to give myself a pep talk every now and then. But even though he’s Harrison Ford, he wants someone with a vision of how the scene and the episode is going to go. He’s very receptive and we’re on the right track.

The first two episodes of Evil Monkey can be streamed on Apple TV+, with the next episodes being released every Wednesday.

Watch on Apple TV