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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 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 as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it would air on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently 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 and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing 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 alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

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

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, 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 that character signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

What do you get asked about the most 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 really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, 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, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have 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?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open 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 Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.