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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes 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; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned 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 a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, 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 in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … 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.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, 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 great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often 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. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense 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 you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.