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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent 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 – since it is a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing 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 humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, 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 the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, 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 poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall 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 possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed 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 once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film 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. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule 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 being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.