Miranda Otto Discusses Perspectives on Her Career, Devoted Fans, and Life's Lessons.

Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

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 you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned 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 people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time 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. Then I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

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 once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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 the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.