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In a candid interview, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch 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, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere 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 looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even 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.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating 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 Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium 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 I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.