🔗 Share this article The actress Discusses Insights on Her Career, Devoted Fans, and Unexpected Gifts. During a revealing interview, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers. If You Could Be a Fish 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 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 folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish. A Film 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. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It stars 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 simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such 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, to be watched often. A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague? I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry. Heartening Interactions with Admirers What’s been your most touching encounter with a fan? It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods. Which questions get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans? The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the components that made up the concoction – 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 extreme measures to render it as bad as possible. A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person? I attended a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable. The Source of a Moniker 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 you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all? Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name. Chaos on Set What was the chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set? While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making. A Secret Talent What are you secretly good at? I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting. The Best Guidance Ever Received What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received? When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.