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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character signified for 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 specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants 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 believe she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark 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 identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

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

Chaos on Location

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 emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from success. Success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.