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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

Which questions get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

What was the chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

During my time in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.