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In a candid interview, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants 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 bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were given your name from 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 named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier 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 worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.