🔗 Share this article

Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, 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 – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn 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 specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish 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 bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin 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 you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium 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 most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have 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 mathematics or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.