OnlyOnAOL: This actor got his dream role, and had no idea

By: Donna Freydkin

Here's what you need to know about Griffin Gluck, who's a junior in high school and the star of "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life." The comedy, based on James Patterson's hit book, stars Gluck as Rafe Khatchadorian, who goes up against his rigid, standardized-testing obsessed principal.

The film is as much a goofy peion to pre-teen rebellion as it is a gentle reminder that tests aren't the be-all end-all of school, and creativity has a place in any curriculum. We talked to Gluck about making the film.

In reality, says Gluck, he was no Rafe. "In middle school, I was a much shyer person. But I was always getting in trouble. For some reason I got into trouble for mis-colored socks, or brining my Pokemon or marbles to school. I went to a very strict school."

He got the role the traditional way. "It was auditions, auditions, auditions."

And then things got old-school. "We didn't hear anything for a good month. I went to summer camp and while I was at summer camp, I got the role. But I never knew, because I didn't have service. My parents tried to send me a letter."

Being sans devices was no walk in the park. "It was three weeks without technology, which was hard. It was a good experience. It taught me a lot about myself. As soon as I got back to my phone, I treated it like it was my baby."