Attleboro, MA – from www.thesunchronicle.com – Mansfield resident Jason M. Burns [pictured], a 1997 graduate of North Attleboro High School, recently wrapped production on the new comedic Web series “Adults Only.”

It features entertainers Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”), Danny Nucci (“Titanic,” “The Rock”), Brian Austin Green (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Beverly Hills 90210”), Sebastian Bach (lead singer of Skid Row), Brianna Brown (“General Hospital” and Showtime’s upcoming “Homeland”) and Ronnie Marmo (“General Hospital”), among others.

The series follows Chance Rioux, a former gymnast who must accept a job managing his brother-in-law’s adult video/novelty store in order to make ends meet, all while trying to conceal his identity from the public, particularly a new love interest who serves as the “trigger in his self-reinvention.”

“It’s all about second chances, with plenty of comedy thrown in for good measure,” said Burns, who created the comic book series “A Dummy’s Guide to Danger.”

“Adults Only” was shot in Massachusetts and is set to debut online in late October. Burns recently discussed the project in an email interview.

Sun Chronicle: So where did you come up with the idea for “Adults Only”?

Burns: When I left my position as editor in chief of Ape Entertainment in early 2011, I formed a company called Plymouth Rock Creative (PRC). Our goal in the company was to create digital, web-based content in smaller doses than you’d see on television. With our first project, which ultimately became “Adults Only,” we wanted to make sure that it was something accessible from a production standpoint, so I wrote the scripts around what would ultimately become a show with limited locations. Ninety percent of it takes place at an adult video/novelty store that we built ourselves and the other 10 percent takes place at a coffee shop, which we shot at Aunt Aleda’s in downtown Mansfield. They were amazing! So, the story ended up coming out of what A.) we thought was funny and B.) we thought we could shoot.

SC: As the name implies, is it for adults only, i.e., an R-rated Web series? NC-17?

Burns: No. Actually, we tried to go for the opposite. The setting is an adult video/novelty store, but we never make it the focus. Really, it’s just meant to show how far the lead has fallen in both his professional and personal life. There are a handful of swears, but we bleep them out much the way that “Arrested Development” did on Fox. Our goal is PG-13.

‘Homeland’ actress Brianna Brown appears in a scene from ‘Adults Only.’
SC: Are a lot of people doing Web series now? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Burns: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages, in my opinion. I think now more than ever Web-based content is not only accepted, but it’s sought after. A new generation of people is seeking out entertainment, and they’re not turning to the television to do it. I think we’re just at the early stages of seeing Web-based content become a big focus of Hollywood. At this point, I think the biggest disadvantage of Web content is not having the studio/network money involved, but that’s changing from a production standpoint.

SC: What are your hopes for the series? In TV, viewership would be a general measure of success; is it the same for the Web?

Burns: Yes. I think the more eyes on the series the more successful we’ll feel it is. We have a great cast, many of whom have huge existing audiences of their own, and I think that is a big advantage for “Adults Only.” There are a great number of successful Web series that have no recognizable names, whereas “Adults Only” has almost all recognizable names and faces. That gives us a big leg up. The hope for anything in this space is that we go viral, which, for the lucky few, can mean more viewers than even a network series.

SC: After this, what’s next on your agenda?

Burns: I’m continuing to write the comic book version of “Pocket God,” which is based on the hit iPhone/iPad app. That’s released digitally through iTunes and then collected in print by Ape Entertainment. I also have a comic due out soon called AvaTom, which I wrote alongside Chris Meloni, who most people will recognize as Elliot Stabler from “Law & Order: SVU.” I also just had a book released based on the old TV series “Jericho,” which I wrote with the show’s original writers. It was essentially the third season of the series, which a lot of fans felt was cancelled prematurely.

From “Adults Only” though we will be starting production on an unscripted series soon.

“Adults Only” is eight episodes, each 7 to 10 minutes long. People will be able to find them at funnyordie.com. To see a trailer, go to www.funnyordie.com/videos/3c37e17b5a/adults-only-trailer.