About the script
Synopsis
A gifted therapist's ideal life is shattered when his young daughter tragically drowns. Months later, still bound by grief and having lost faith in the power of therapy to relieve suffering, Dr. Robert Spencer battles with depression and a crumbling marriage. He reluctantly agrees to treat a lost, traumatized child, skillfully navigating her fragile emotions to unravel the mysterious circumstances that rendered her mute. He teams up with local Sheriff Mike Lee to question unseemly characters and decipher clues that reveal the shocking truth about her missing parents. The mounting danger escalates the pursuit of an elusive killer.
Similar in tone to such films as THE SIXTH SENSE, DON'T SAY A WORD, and WITNESS, BEARER OF BURDENS is an emotional crime mystery that journeys to the depths of grief and loss but also reminds us that healing is possible when we help each other and ensure the pathway for communication is always open.
Screenwriter
Hello, my name is Les Collins. After retiring from a position as a nuclear chemist, I turned to screenwriting. I have always been captivated by the power of a well-crafted story told through film. As a young man, I was so inspired after seeing the movie ROCKY that I refused a ride home with my friends, instead running the five miles home, punching the air to Bill Conti's iconic theme in my head. I have produced several short videos, one a visual pitch of a commercial for Weber Grill company. The video was later shown to college students by a marketing professor as an example of how to hook an audience. Consultation with script consultant, Erik Bork (BAND OF BROTHERS), along with Masterclasses by Ron Howard (CINDERELLA MAN), Dan Brown (The Davinci Code), and Michael Hauge (STORY MASTERY), has helped me develop as a screenwriter. BEARER OF BURDENS is a story about restoring broken lives, renewed hope, and mutual healing. My hope is that it will make a lasting impression on moviegoers long after leaving the theater.
Seeking Development
The BEARER OF BURDENS script is available to producers, directors, and development executives seeking fresh, new material. Two independent coverage services have given my script a RECOMMEND for production. In addition to my current project, I am in the process of writing a comedy entitled ALPHA CHEF, a story of an aging fry cook whose dream of becoming a great chef is rekindled when he wins a chance to compete on a popular nationally televised cooking show against titan chef and childhood bully, Gordon Ramsay.
Interested parties may contact me with any inquiries with the form below. Your questions and comments are welcome.