Web series features music by EDH artist

When Ryan McKinney made the decision to return to his Sacramento roots, it was with the intention of bringing Hollywood-style film productions to Northern California.

After directing Lou Diamond Phillips and Pam Grier in “The Invited” in and around Placer County, McKinney set up shop teaching acting classes at It Factor Studios while he worked on writing scripts and planning his next move.

A brush with death in the form of a traffic collision opened his eyes to his desire to get back behind the camera as soon as possible, and he decided to focus his current attention on the small screen in the form of a Web series sitcom while working to develop other film projects.

Deborah Adair is thrilled to have McKinney on board her production “Set the Table” as director and editor.

“Ryan has been generous with his time and expertise,” she said. “We have a polished, professional-looking production that would not have been possible without him.”

“Set the Table,” the flag ship production of Deborah Adair Productions, now has four episodes available for viewing at watchsetthetable.com. Two more episodes are in post-production.

The series tells the story of a pair of middle-aged empty nesters who are struggling to maintain their connection despite life’s craziness. In a quirky way, they discover that the simple act of pausing to share a home-cooked meal is enough to rekindle that spark.

Adair and John Alston star as Becca and John Peterson.

Adair has been seen in and around Northern California in commercial, film, and print work.

Alston, who has several independent film credits, is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory in Los Angeles and appears as a stand-up comedian in Northern California venues. He has also worked in Sacramento and the Bay Area as a news anchor and reporter.

Also featured in “Set the Table” are Samantha Adair, Charlie Merlo, Julia Smyth and Dylan Nelson. Episode six will introduce Toni Corbett.

Paul Mars Black, an LA recording artist who grew up in El Dorado Hills, where he delivered the Mountain Democrat as a teen, provided the music with recording partner Jo Almeida.

Web series have been increasing in popularity by filmmakers both big and small because of the flexibility that they allow the producers. Episodes can vary in length, and producers are not dependent upon big-budget sponsors for funding.

The series is primarily hosted on its own Website, watchsetthetable.com. Viewers can also find the Web series at blip.tv/setthetable and via its Facebook show page, facebook.com/watchsetthetable.