BITS AND BRAMBLES

 Twentieth Century Fox is holding an online casting call to find a bright, precocious and appealing young actor, age 10-13, for the lead role of Greg Heffley in the film version of the New York Times bestseller, Diary of a Wimpky Kid. Candidates are invited to visit IAmtheWimpyKid.com to learn more about the project – and to upload their audition videos.

The filmmakers will be auditioning males, ages 10-13, only. The character of Greg Heffley is slight, physically unprepossessing, and not overly cute or precocious. He has a quirky, memorable face, is bright and articulate, and possesses a vivid fantasy life — but he is cursed by the fact that he’s in middle school. Auditioning actors must be able to handle dialog and have a flair for ironic comedy.

The best-selling illustrated novel “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney, chronicles the adventures of wisecracking middle school student Greg Heffley over the course of an academic year, as told through the young man’s diary and hand-drawn cartoons.

If auditions aren’t for you, then check out the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Comics Contest.  Prizes include: a visit to your school from Jeff Kinney, a “wimpify your family” original comic, amd signed copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Books.  Better hurry though, as the contest deadline is January 31, 2009.