WRITER/DIRECTOR

See individual screenplay projects for 30-plus accolades, contest wins, etc.

The Homestudy with an 8/10 rating on The Blacklist:

"Rarely is a script able to do all of the things that this script does. Funny, honest, and immensely powerful, it tells a uniquely compelling story about one man's heart-wrenching fight for legitimacy as a father to his son, and in the process strikes at the heart of the universal human themes of love, acceptance, grace, and strength. It also manages to have an honest discussion about the injustices that still exist in our society. The story doesn't just highlight what it means to be a good father or parent; it reminds us what it means to be a good person. And in a sea of cynicism and pessimism at the box office, that is so refreshing. The plot is clear, well-paced, and absolutely gut-wrenching at times, all in the service of a powerful resolution that's so satisfying it will jerk tears from the most stoic of audiences. The characters are exceptional, especially our protagonist, Eric, a man so quietly heroic, but still complex and flawed enough to have room to grow and arc. The dialogue is pitch-perfect, knowing when to be nuanced, subtle, and subtextual, and when to deliver its powerfully earnest and heartfelt monologues. There really aren't enough good things to say about this script. It's a wonderful story, and an exceptional piece of writing.

With the introduction of streaming platforms and other new buyers into the feature market, the demand for character-driven dramedies like this one has seen an uptick, which positions this project well. Of course, this script's best asset really is its quality. It's exceptional and will stand out in any executive's weekend read pile. It's original, with characters we haven't seen before, and the thematic and social conversations it has elevate it compared to the more derivative scripts it's competing against. It is going to serve the writer well as a sample showcasing a talented and original voice, and it would not be a surprise to see it gain momentum in development."

A Tent on Jupiter

  • The Blacklist review:

    • “This script is exceptionally written from beginning to end, from prose to plotting, with a rich novelistic texture that is rare in screenplays, but is utterly welcome and indicative of a unique and engaging talent. The story itself is addictively page-turning, dealing with uncommonly brutal familial relationships, as harshly real as they are beautifully complex. The character work is beyond most: Joe is superbly relatable & illuminating in all his thoughtfully explored broken dysfunction; but Elaine is the crowning centerpiece here, an incredible character who is as hard to watch as she is impossible not to. She recalls of some of the most iconically complex &/or outright evil cinematic parental figures of all time; equal measures dueling Louise Fletcher demons, Nurse Ratched and Olivia Foxworth, with shades of Faye Dunaway's psychotic turn in MOMMY DEAREST, yet much more grounded in ways that recall Joanne Woodword in THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS or Dennis Hopper in OUT OF THE BLUE. Filled with textured small-town intrigue, stunningly rendered people, an uncanny sense of place, & truly shocking twists and turns, this script is as layered as a novel; rife with symbolism & harsh critiques of humanity, almost like a savage updating of the work of Tennessee Williams.
      The script itself is so well-rendered on every level that the writer should have no issue garnering a ton of attention in the industry from this script alone. This is stunning visionary work, and should make for a door-busting calling card. But, with a bit more thoughtful revision regarding the last few pages, this script could have real chance of getting made, especially due to its small budget and A-list-attracting meaty roles. In the hands of a bold and brave producer, this film could make a major major impact.”

ACTOR

"Need to Know: Derek Nicoletto" - Out.com  Full article here.

as Hades in “zounds!” at Edinburgh Fringe 2019 “It is the flamboyant Hades that steals the show.” - FringeFan.info

Best Actor in an Indie Film - New York Film Awards - WINNER for “Paternal Instinct”

Denver Critics Circle Awards: BEST ENSEMBLE - nominee for “Ten Percent Revue”

SINGER/SONGWRITER/MUSICAN

  • OUTMUSIC Award 2016

  • "Interesting themes, catchy grooves...the talent is obvious." - Billboard Songwriting Contest

  • "Derek Nicoletto...dark and booking, his energetic yet introspective set took in the crown...His set had punk rock intensity with glam rock underpinnings...crowd awing, all-in showmanship." - Out Magazine

  • "Fantastic live set.  Great sound."  Stevie Van Zandt at Fashion's Night Out

  • "An electropop up-and-comer." - Time Out New York

  • "A singer with heart and soul." - Indie Round Up

  • "Versatility and soulfulness." - Infuze

  • Reverbnation Featured Artist - 2011

  • "Passion, talent and ingenuity." - SuChin Pak, MTV News Correspondent

  • "Nicoletto has a unique voice that carries and captures his vivid lyrical imagery." - Blog Critics Magazine

"Nicoletto empowers Foam Ropes with the one-two combination of his voice as a singer, and his voice as a songwriter. These two traits help the project really stand out, especially when combined with the powerful instrumentation that backs the album and its nine tracks.  By and large, Nicoletto succeeds in developing an experience as opposed to just an album through deep and varied songwriting, coupled with stirring performances." - Heath Andrews, May 2015 

"Foam Ropes is an Indie Pop fantastic voyage through the master craftsmanship of one singer/songwriter Derek Nicoletto.Leaving his path in music to study acting, little did Derek know the universe would lead him full circle. His 9 song, self-titled debut is an aurally refreshing ode to the great solo songcrafters who have contributed to this world’s catalog of indie pop’s more soulful expressions." - Middle Tennessee Music, June 22, 2015

"Sure to stir the soul and move the body... a good mix of talent, song styles, and catchy hooks that will keep everyone entertained." ~ 5 Stars (out of 5). Matthew Forss, Indie World Music 

from ArtInfo.com:

Electropop singer Derek Nicoletto says he doesn’t want his forthcoming “Just Panic and Get it Over With” to be a routine album release — he wants it to be the soundtrack for a “worldwide art movement.” And so he appears to be well on his way, having wrangled artists from around the globe to make works inspired by the EP, which he plans to exhibit in a series of group exhibitions in Honolulu, Manchester, Provincetown, and beyond, beginning July 12-14 at 287 Spring Galleryin New York.

For the inaugural show, three-dozen local artists created works in just about every medium, all referencing the new album in some way. (The only restriction was that Nicoletto himself not appear as the subject.) Most works will be available for sale, at prices set by the artists, throughout the weekend.

“Just Panic and Get it Over With” hits stores April 19.

**

"Some of you may remember Derek Nicoletto from his band Telling on Trixie.  As a solo act, Nicoletto favors synth-pop with all of its dance-music associations. Picking up where his 2011 solo debut left off, on the six-song EP Just Panic and Get It Over With (7 Trick Pony), Nicoletto serves up big beats on the royally funky “Kings Are We.” It’s the kind of exhilarating song you can strut around the dance floor to like the big queen that you are. “F5” keeps the dance-party panic going and your heart rate racing. “Mother Numb It” dips into the drum’n bass pool and comes up dripping dizzying beats. “Blink of an Eye,” the sexiest cut, has spring dance anthem written all over it, while “Hell in Gramercy” indicates that Nicoletto hasn’t abandoned his harder-edged side."  - Gregg Shapiro, OutSmart Magazine (Apr 01, 2013)