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In a candid interview, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through 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 with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't 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 impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to 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 specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish 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 bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I was at a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.