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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic 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 growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become 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 in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

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 seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. 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 the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.