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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 invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

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?

Straight away, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot 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 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. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. 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 as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away 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 during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, 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: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

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?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.