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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We were playing 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 went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re really present then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

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

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.