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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re fully engaged then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … 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 most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time 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 words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of 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 very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from success. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.