Miranda Otto Reveals Perspectives on Acting, Devoted Fans, and Life's Gifts.

During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, first, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for 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 inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

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

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know 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 do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been 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 named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance 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” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.