Miranda Otto Reveals Insights on Acting, Devoted Fans, and Unexpected Lessons.

During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is 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, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing 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 masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s 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 as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, 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 novel way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, 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 more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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 they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.