Kevin Gillis outlines how testing 2D-3D hybrids and digital restorations preserves the Canadian classic’s watercolor legacy.
Kevin Gillis is developing a revival of the Canadian animated series The Raccoons following its 40th anniversary. The project includes potential series and feature developments, with Gillis currently evaluating production styles through CGI and 2D-3D hybrid tests. This follows a major 4K restoration of the show’s five seasons and specials, preserving the signature foggy watercolor backgrounds. The production is also transitioning its musical legacy to digital platforms, releasing the closing song “Run With Us” and other vinyl-only tracks for the first time. Gillis originally pivoted from songwriting to animation after seeing the special The Point, eventually producing 60 episodes. The creator attributes the show's longevity to storylines rooted in real-life experiences, such as environmental conflicts over deforestation. Current scripting focuses on maintaining the sincerity of characters like Cyril Sneer while adapting the illustrative aesthetic for millennial audiences and their children.
The transition from illustrative crosshatching to watercolor backgrounds demonstrates how creative leaders manage production budgets without sacrificing visual quality. Gillis’s testing of 2D-3D hybrids shows the importance of technical experimentation when reviving legacy intellectual property for modern viewers.
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