[3] The series was preceded by three Nilus the Sandman television specials broadcast between 1991 and 1994 on CTV.
[4][5][6] The series was produced by Cambium Film & Video Productions and Delaney & Friends Cartoon Productions, and distributed by The Family Channel and Western International Communications (WIC).
The show features the Sandman, named Nilus (voiced by Long John Baldry), who helps children and teenagers through their dreams while they are asleep, with the dream stories being animated.
The scenes at the beginning and the end of each episode are shot in live action in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The children are first surprised with their new animated avatar-self and start a journey discovering Nilus's friendly acquaintances – a talking clam and a camel – who help him during his mission.