Derek has a long and successful working relationship with director Tim Burton, running Tim Burton Productions since 2001. Most recently Derek co-produced Frankenweenie, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Picture in 2012. That same year he produced the music video Here With Me for The Killers. Derek is currently serving as Executive Producer on Big Eyes, starring Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams, slated for a 2014 release. Derek was born in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude in Communication Studies from West Chester University.