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Through a thoughtful interview, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is Queen 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 Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece 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 Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best 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 a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, 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 comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often 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. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think 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 you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day 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 popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math 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, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.