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Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4! Meet The Modern Bo Peep

May 28, 2019 By Ashley 19 Comments

290 shares

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4 and she's just as witty and confident as ever. When I was at Pixar I got a chance to talk with the team that was responsible for bringing modern Bo Peep to life. It's been 20 years since we've seen Bo Peep, what has she been up to? Is she still the same toy that we knew before? Read on to learn more about Bo and what we can expect from her in Toy Story 4. 

Related: Meet Forky From Toy Story 4!

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4! Meet The Modern Bo Peep

Where do you start when bringing Bo Peep back to the big screen? Story Supervisor Valerie LaPoint shares how it all began.

Five years ago Valerie began working on Toy Story 4 and Bo Peep. Right from the start, everyone knew that Bo Peep would be a big part of this story. 

We know she's confident, flirty, a voice of reason to Woody, and she knows him better than anyone. We began to wonder what could've happened to her after she was given away? Who do we want to see Bo Peep become?

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

TOY STORY 4 – Bo Peep Concept Art by John Lee. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

They landed on she doesn't want to be on the lamp or embrace being porcelain. She just wants to be a toy. 

It's ingrained in all of us that a lost toy is the worst possible outcome for a toy. But for Bo, becoming a lost toy is actually the best thing that can happen, shifting Woody's and our perspectives on that.

 

To compliment Bo's new lifestyle and role, she would need to be reinvented without losing what people recognize as Bo. Character Modeling Artist Tanja Krampfert walked us through how they settled on her look for Toy Story 4.  

We had to be sure when we reinvented and redesigned her that people would still recognize her as Bo Peep. We went back and looked at the original artwork that was done for Toy Story. Also, we looked at every little time she was shown in a film. 

We also did a ton of research trips to flea markets and antique stores to check out figurines. We even went to see porcelain dolls being created by Disney. The team learned a lot about the fabrication of porcelain. And put that into the shading and overall design. 

They went through several versions of Bo, including her as a collector doll aka embracing her porcelain roots, classic Bo Peep, what her working clothes would look like, and more. 

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

TOY STORY 4 – Bo Peep Concept Art by Carrie Hobson and Daniela Strijleva. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Story Artist Carrie Hobson shares what we can expect of the new Bo Peep.

Bo is a character who decided she didn't want to sit on a shelf and wait for her life to happen. She had to learn how to adapt. She takes chances and is somewhat unpredictable. Bo doesn't play by toy rules. Unlike other toys, she can break her default toy mode, meaning when she becomes a toy for a kid she can choose which type of toy she will be. She is more active and resourceful as a lost toy. Bo has to be really smart about how she gets around because she is porcelain. 

Bo has a sense of humor and a go with the flow attitude. This new Bo is tough but she is also caring. She loves her sheep and her best friend Giggle McDimples. All in all, we wanted to stay true to the core of who Bo was but show and embrace that she has adapted and grown as a character. 

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

When it came to modeling Bo for Toy Story 4, the team was careful not to make her too gritty. She might be on her own but she is a toy not a human. Life hasn't been that tough on her, Characters Modeling Artist Mara MacMahon explains.

Bo is self sufficient, self assured, and confident but she doesn't wave her authority around like a big stick. She doesn't stand in the room and demand attention. We also didn't want her to be too gritty or even masculine. She's not a tom boy. She's a shepherdess, and even though she can handle herself she can also be feminine. 

It's been 20 years since we've seen her. First time we see her on screen as new Bo we have to know oh that's Bo. . 

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

TOY STORY 4 – Bo Peep Concept Art by Mara MacMahon. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

New Bo Peep means a new way to animate her. Out of the big puffy dress and into more practical clothing means a whole new world for Bo in terms of animation and movement. Directing Animator Patty Kihm shares some of the challenges of animating her.  

Classic Bo was feminine and reserved in her movements. She wore a restraining outfit that restricted her movements. Bo enjoyed the safety of her child's room, never really adventuring outside. She was content to live indoors with a kid. Bo always had a dry wit and great sense of humor.

Modern Bo still has her dry wit but has grown and matured since the last time we saw her. She is independent, comfortable with being on the road, athletic, and her new outfit gives her the freedom to express that. She is confident and a leader in her new world.

Although she looks human, she is only 10 inches tall and made of porcelain. Early in production we quickly found that she felt too human. Typically in animation we want to exaggerate movements but for Bo we needed to decrease her movements to make her look more like a toy. 

One of the challenges we faced was how to portray Bo as both athletic while still feminine. We found that strong, athletic women are often portrayed as masculine in movies. But we wanted Bo to be both. 

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

TOY STORY 4 – Bo Peep Concept Art by Carrie Hobson. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

So how did they accomplish the balance between masculine and feminine? Directing Animator Becky Tower explains where they found their inspiration.

Bo is poised, purposeful, graceful, and strong, much like dancers and gymnasts. We thought this would be the perfect place to start for our reference. Again we have a delicate balance between the fragility of the porcelain material combined with the needs of an action hero. Right away we knew there was a dynamic contrast built into Bo. 

First we looked at gymnastics and how they move efficiently, arms straight, legs together. It was like they were protecting their bodies and we thought this would be appropriate for a toy made of porcelain. Then we looked at dancers with their strong posture, and graceful, in control movements.

Another obstacle in her animation was Bo's staff. No longer just an accessory to a shepherdess, this staff is a part of who she is and helps her in her new role. 

We explored both realistic and interpretive staff movements. The animators watched videos on martial arts with their fierce, bold, unapologetic, and in your face staff fighting. Also utilitarian uses such as spear throwing and survival skills. We even looked at monkey staff and contact staff performances.

I don't know about you but Bo Peep is my kinda girl. She didn't sit around waiting for life to happen to her or for someone to rescue her. Bo has taken her new life and made it the best one ever. I'm all for any character taking control of their destiny and living life to the fullest. 

My only complaint is it's not June yet and the good people at Pixar wouldn't tell me how the film ends. *Pouts* 

Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

 See Bo and the rest of the Toy Story 4 crew when they come to theaters June 21, 2019! Tickets are on sale now!

Toy Story 4

 Keep up with your favorite toys on Facebook | Twitter #ToyStory4 | Instagram | YouTube 

Toy Story 4 Final Trailer

 

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Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4

 

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Filed Under: Disney, Disney Movie, Entertainment Tagged With: Bo Peep, Bo Peep Is Back In Toy Story 4, Disney movies, Disney Pixar, movies, Pixar, Toy Story, Toy Story 4

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for GiGi EatsGiGi Eats

    May 28, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    I don’t think you know HOW excited I am for this movie! I will 10000% be seeing it in THEATERS – and I don’t see movies in theaters pretty much EVER!! Toy Story will ALWAYS have a close place in my heart. I even remember where I watched the first one for the first time ever!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Amber MyersAmber Myers

    May 28, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    I can’t wait to see Toy Story 4! I’ve always liked Bo Peep. I know I will probably cry when I watch the film. I cried buckets for Toy Story 3.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KarenKaren

    May 28, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    I’m really looking forward to seeing this movie! It’s been so long between Toy Story movies, that I might have to watch them again before watching 4! I think Bo will have an important role in this one!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Jamie | Makeup Life and LoveJamie | Makeup Life and Love

    May 28, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    I am so incredibly excited to see this movie. I love all the Toy Story movies so far. This one looks so good so far.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for robin ruerobin rue

    May 28, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    My kids have aged out, so I am not sure if I will be seeing this or not, but it sounds like a cute movie.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for PamPam

    May 28, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    I csn’t wait to see the next Toy Story. It’s such a classic franchise and it’s so cool that Bo Peep is coming back.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for MelanieMelanie

    May 28, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    I do not think that my kids have seen all of the first four Toy Story movies. I need to catch them up before the 4th one.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for BethBeth

    May 28, 2019 at 11:48 pm

    I’m excited to see Toy Story 4! It is so interesting to get some behind the scenes information, I’m looking forward to seeing the new Bo in action. It seems like she is going to be such a strong character.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Lisa MartinLisa Martin

    May 29, 2019 at 7:18 am

    I think I’m more excited to see this movie than any other this summer! My kids love Toy Story as well, so we’ve already made plans to see it as soon as it comes out.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for TomiTomi

    May 29, 2019 at 8:34 am

    Wow! I didn’t realize how much Bo has changed so much since the series began. We are definitely going to see Toy Story 4.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for RachelRachel

    May 29, 2019 at 11:25 am

    I can’t wait to see that movie. I want to get tickets for the whole family. I remember seeing the first one in theaters.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for KathyKathy

    May 29, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    I can’t wait to see this movie. My daughters and I are excited. We’ve very excited to see bo peep too!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for CatalinaCatalina

    May 29, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    wow! I love Toy Story! I can’t wait for Toy Story 4 and for Bo Peep! You made me curious!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for MarysaMarysa

    May 29, 2019 at 10:29 pm

    This looks like it is going to be such a good movie. I didn’t give much thought about Bo Peep and some of the other peripheral characters, but it’s neat to learn more about their creation.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for SwathiSwathi

    May 30, 2019 at 12:45 am

    I need to take my kids to Toy Story movie, As they love all the characters in the movie, Great review.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for HeatherHeather

    May 30, 2019 at 12:46 am

    Can’t wait to see her character in the new movie!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for MelissaMelissa

    May 30, 2019 at 10:37 am

    I seriously can’t wait to go see Toy Story 4! My son is 14 and we are counting down the days to go see it together! Great memories! I am glad to hear that Bo Peep is back!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Amy hAmy h

    May 30, 2019 at 10:29 pm

    I can’t wait for this movie! I’ve watched all the other Toy Story movies… I think the kids and I are going to have a Toy Story Marathon next weekend!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for MichelleMichelle

    May 31, 2019 at 10:20 am

    I am so excited to learn more about Bo Peep and see how her character develops. My oldest son and I are so excited for Toy Story 4 and cannot wait to see it together. #MotherSonDate

    Reply

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Avatar for MichelleAshley Saunders is a movie critic, writer, podcaster, and gamer from the Washington DC area who is always ready to travel.
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