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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie 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 did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

What’s been your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

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

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

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

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.