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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch 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, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – 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 picture. When I was growing up, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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 back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other 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 something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in 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, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. 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 way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.