Miranda Otto Shares Perspectives on Her Career, Devoted Fans, and Life's Gifts.

In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

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

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

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 tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re really present then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have 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 a district in Sydney. My mother 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?

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized 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 schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.