Quotes from Miranda Otto

Generally, with films, what tends to happen is that a few people get a lot of momentum out of it, and a lot of people don't.

It's a career that's enticing because you go on stage, for example, and people clap. You get that affirmation, but you can't go into acting for that because it's really your own self-belief that's going to get you through.

It's so great to come in and do something where you know how strong the format of the show is and you're working with writers and directors who worked on the original show. It feels like you're going into a well-run ship already. Then it's just a matter of creating these new characters.

I think film likes me better than the theatre does for some reason.

In the past, I was always drawn to really quirky, idiosyncratic characters.

I think 'Rake' was a very clever crossover, actually, because it does lend itself to the city of L.A.

Sadly, my German is almost non-existent, although I did a little at school.

I think you go through a period as a teenager of being quite cool and unaffected by things.

Around the time of 'The Lord of the Rings,' it was a shock to me just how big it is to be on that kind of media juggernaut. It was a big thing and the scrutiny was shocking.

I worry about my sides. I worry where everything goes. I worry that I'm going to be the leak. I give all my scripts back!

I've been on shows where they're just setting it up, and they're trying to find the tone of the writing and performance. That's always a really chaotic period on shows.

There's such big pressure on people who are incredibly famous, on those who have people sitting outside their front door and taking photos every time they move.

There are so many things from movies that are remembered, that are just looks on people's faces or incredible vistas or beautiful pictures. That is a very important part of cinema.

You do remember things that people say in movies. You remember particular lines and things that are funny. But, you also remember really strong images. Images have a way of bypassing your brain and hitting you emotionally.

I find, in film, we're always making things and having these intense friendships and then losing track of people. When I first start a job, I'm quite nervous, and it takes me a while to find my place, and then it feels like I'm just really loving it and feeling great, and it's all over.

Writers would hate me saying this, and I love words, but I have to say that cinema exists, on one level, for the power of the big image and what that image does.

I enjoyed playing someone who is a professional, intelligent, defined by her work and not her role as a wife or mother.

Whenever I mention Greg Kinnear's name to anyone, they always say, "Oh, love him!" He's a really terrific actor, and very funny.

Any time you have intimacy with someone, there is something between them.

In everything I do, I like to set the idea for girls that they can do anything. I was really moved by Hillary Clinton's speech when she lost the election - she didn't want young girls to feel like it wasn't possible and wanted them to know a female president will eventually happen. That's important.

I was researching my family tree, and I was deeply hoping I was going to turn out to be Eastern European, but I'm not.

I always feel this huge responsibility to the script when it arrives, keeping it confidential.

Sometimes, as a young woman, you are boxed in more to playing characters that are emotional and vulnerable.

When I was younger, people would always say, 'Are you a ballet dancer?' I had that look - one of those skinny kids with my hair in a bun.