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Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays Queen 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?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

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 definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in secondary school, a speaker 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 failure than is gained from success. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.