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Through a thoughtful 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 Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – 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 discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and 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 went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then 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 was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish 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? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the concoction – 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 great detail to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

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 you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name 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 I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept 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 whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.