The actress Reveals Perspectives on Her Career, Devoted Fans, and Unexpected Gifts.

Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it would air on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. 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 repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters 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 abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the individuals 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 your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

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, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to 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 detailed question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion 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 ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been 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 settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre 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 most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.