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In a candid conversation, Miranda Otto delves 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 Sea Creature 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, 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 Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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 together. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall 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 people you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories 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.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating 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 nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, 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. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.