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Through a thoughtful interview, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her latest role 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 role is Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. 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.

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 at the time we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

Which questions get asked most frequently 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 has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail listing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker 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 Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, 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 named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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 that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from success. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.