Part 3/9:
Raised in Vancouver, Canada, to South African parents, Derek’s background is as diverse as his interests. His family eventually returned to Canada after his birth in Australia, and he soon exhibited competitive tendencies. Graduating at the top of his class, he was awarded a scholarship to study engineering physics at Queen’s University. However, deep down, his passion lay in filmmaking—a career often viewed as unpredictable. Thus, he chose the "smart path," completing his degree while simultaneously harboring animosity towards rigid structures that stifled his creativity.