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Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest 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 it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, 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 talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew 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 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 scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source 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 settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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

While 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 brilliantly. But they just work 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 punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes 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 was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening some champagne on set, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

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 that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.