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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role 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 role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing 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 repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other 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 abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice 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, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.