As a high school student, Derek was a published film critic, contributing to his local newspaper, The Bradenton Herald.  In college, Derek branched into websites and graphic design, creating a fan site about Reprise Records artists The Muffs and contributing DVD reviews and behind-the-scenes articles to various internet and small press publications. After graduating from college with a B.A. in Radio-Television, Derek worked in video equipment rental and post production before being hired at the Network Operations Center of Paxson Communications' national PAX network. When film director Kevin Smith launched his entertainment news site Movie Poop Shoot in 2002, Derek was chosen to contribute two regular columns, Critical Mess and Read More About It.  He has also contributed other features and interviews, including a visit to the set of the Artisan/Lion's Gate production of The Punisher. In 2003, Derek was asked to apply his Critical Mess formula to a feature for Newsweek magazine and his concept of a Kevin Smith/View Askew calendar was adapted for production by Graphitti Designs. In recent years, Derek has been involved as a producer or consultant on several prospective television pilots and one feature film, Mandatory Overtime. In 2006, Derek was the co-director and the graphic designer for the SunScreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, FL.