SCREENWRITER
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GROWING UP THE TALL KID WITH NO ATHLETIC ABILITY, DEREK QUICKLY EMBRACED HIS LOVE OF THE ARTS AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.  HE IS A TEXAS NATIVE AND RECENT GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI WHERE HE RECEIVED A DEGREE IN MOTION PICTURES AND CREATIVE WRITING.  WHILE IN UNDERGRAD, HE SPENT A SUMMER STUDYING FILM PRODUCTION AT FAMU, FILM AND TV SCHOOL OF THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS, IN PRAGUE, ALONG WITH ATTENDING A SUMMER FILM INDUSTRY WORKSHOP AT UCLA.  NOTABLY, HE WAS NOMINATED FOR THE MICHAEL COLLYER MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP IN SCREENWRITING FOR HIS SCREENPLAY RED RIVER, AND HIS SENIOR THESIS FILM, LEFT & LEAVING, RECEIVED AWARDS FOR BEST ACTRESS AND BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY AT THE 2011 HURRICANE’S STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL.  DEREK IS DRAWN TO THE WEIRD, OFF BEAT STORIES ABOUT THOSE UNEXPLORED PARTS OF SOCIETY, MAKING STRAY DOGS THE PERFECT CONCLUSION TO HIS AFI EXPERIENCE.