 Along with "SNL" writer Drake Sather, Stiller developed a short film for the awards about a male model known as Derek Zoolander.It was so well received that he developed another short film about the character for the 1997 VH1 Fashion Awards and finally remade the skit into a film.In 1998 Stiller put aside his directing ambitions to star in a surprise hit with a long-lasting cult following, the Farrelly Brothers' "There's Something About Mary", alongside Cameron Diaz.