The upcoming season of “Survivor” will again feature a local Michigan woman among the new castaways.

Rachel LaMont, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Southfield, is set to compete in Season 47 of the hit CBS show, which premieres with a two-hour episode on Sept. 18.

LaMont, originally from Dexter, has been a fan of “Survivor” for the past seven years. She recalls being instantly captivated by the show the first time her husband turned it on.

“I had never seen ‘Survivor’ before, but as soon as we started watching it, I couldn’t stop. I thought, ‘How have I never seen this show?’ I was hooked,” she said.

For LaMont, the road to getting cast on “Survivor” was a long one. She applied for the show every year for the past seven years, but it wasn’t until recently that she came close to landing a spot. She was nearly part of last year’s cast, serving as an alternate during Season 46, but didn’t end up competing.

That was the season where another woman with Michigan roots — Kenzie Petty, originally from Gibraltar — competed and won, taking home the $1 million grand prize.

Downriver native wins ‘Survivor,’ $1 million prize

LaMont now has her chance at an ultimate test of physical and mental stamina as she joins a new group of castaways on the islands of Fiji. As with previous shows, the latest competitors must form a new society and adapt to their physical and social surroundings while contending with unexpected obstacles and navigating an ever-evolving social game. LaMont said she's ready for the challenge.

"It was always a dream of mine," LaMont said.

Her preparation for the grueling game ahead was intense. LaMont frequented the gym five days a week, focusing on strength training and increasing her muscle mass.

"I knew I had to be physically prepared. The game is mentally and physically brutal, and I wanted to go in knowing I was in the best shape possible," she said.

As LaMont geared up for her "Survivor" journey, she focused on building a strong alliance of trustworthy players, a key component in the game's complex social dynamics. LaMont’s strategic mindset for the game gave her confidence in her ability to play a smart and balanced game. She likens her gameplay approach to the "Goldilocks complex.”

“I think about this Goldilocks complex. You have to be not too smart but not unstrategic, not too physical but not too weak. You have to be just in that middle spot — that is key to winning,” she said.

LaMont’s favorite season of "Survivor" is David vs. Goliath, which she cites as having some of the most memorable gameplay in recent years. "That season had such incredible strategy, and it was inspiring to watch people from all different backgrounds come together and compete," she said.

She said one of the biggest challenges of participating in "Survivor" is the "digital detox" that comes with being cut off from the outside world.

"They took our phones away even before we got to the island, and adjusting was hard," she said. "But being disconnected really forces you to be more present in the game. That’s something I’m hoping to take back with me into my daily life — being more in the moment and less attached to technology."

LaMont’s experience in design also influenced her approach to "Survivor." As a user interface designer, she focuses on creating seamless, intuitive digital experiences that people don’t even notice.

"When you use an app, you don’t think about every button you press. That’s how I want to play 'Survivor.' I want to integrate myself into the game so that people won’t notice me until it’s too late," she said.

While LaMont is driven by her competitive spirit, she’s also excited about the opportunity to challenge herself, both mentally and physically. "I love people, I love games, and I love pushing myself to new limits. And let’s be honest, I love money," she said, laughing.

LaMont said she was pretty unfamiliar with the outdoors prior to the show.

"I’ve never been a big camper, but after 'Survivor' wrapped, I went glamping with some friends, and it gave me a new appreciation for being outdoors," she said.

After filming wrapped, one of the first things LaMont did upon returning home was indulge in a spicy chicken sandwich — a craving she had throughout her time on the island.

"You hear past contestants talk about food all the time, and now I understand why. When you're out there surviving, all you can think about is that first meal when you get home," she said.

To see how LaMont fares, tune in to CBS, starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 for the two-hour premiere of "Survivor."

Lights!

Camera!

Action!

Troy!

Huh?

A round of applause is in order for Troy’s Motion Picture Institute for gaining fresh national recognition as one of America’s elite career schools.

The institute, now in its 25th year, was among 17 schools nationwide selected for a 2023-24 School of Distinction Award from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

The honor goes to schools for commitment to quality educational programs and adherence to standards set by the accrediting commission. The commission is an authority for more than 700 private, post-secondary, technical and vocational schools, colleges and programs of instruction.

For Douglas Schulze, president of the Motion Picture Institute, the award “is testament to our continuing efforts to provide top-tier education in motion picture production.”

It’s also evidence, Schulze said, that the school’s “special sauce” of academic and hands-on education — including instructors with experience in the film industry — is working.

From its operations in a former Chrysler studio at 2040 Crooks Road, the institute has graduated more than 2,000 students into the work of movie and film production.

“A lot of people think you have to go to the West or East coasts to learn how to make movies,” said Schulze, a Michigan native born in Detroit. “But we are Michigan’s best-kept film school secret.”

The institute provides more than 20,000 square feet of teaching and workspace for students to immerse themselves in a range of skills, including screenwriting, directing, producing, cinematography, art direction, sound mixing and film production. Among lessons learned, Schulze said, is “on-set protocols” to prepare students for real-life work demands.

Some 100 students graduate each year, Schulze said, with more than 70% reporting job placement.

“You can’t turn on a television without seeing our graduates listed in the credits,” he added.

Many graduates are active in independent filmmaking, while others work for studios and companies that produce advertising and promotional films. Among those cited by Schulze:

• Six graduates listed in the credits of the movie, “Beverly Hills Cop.”

• Todd Douglas Miller, a documentarian, with “Apollo 11” and showings in IMAX theaters and the Sundance Film Festival to his credit.

• Lapeer-born Amber Harely, script supervisor for the movie “Fly Me to the Moon.” Starring Scarlett Johansson, the romantic comedy was released nationally this month. Harely’s other credits include “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and the dystopian thriller “Civil War.”

• Zack Begans, principal host of the Travel Channel series “Ghost Adventures.”

For Schulze, the institute’s success and longevity add to a filmmaking career that began while he was a student at Eastern Michigan University. While there, he founded the Eastern Film Coalition, bringing together other like-minded students focused on moviemaking.

Among those was Kurt Mayry, a University of Michigan student and partner with Schulze in the Motion Picture Institute. In the years that followed, Schulze and Mayry were active in independent filmmaking, including what Schulze describes as “low-budget action movies.” Among those were films starring John Saxon, who worked on more than 200 television and movie projects, including horror movies, Westerns and martial arts movies.

Schulze and Mayry were among the founders of the Motion Picture Production Program Institute, offering students a one-year vocational program and intensive on-set training. The inaugural class began in 1998 in Oak Park and the institute moved into the Troy facility in 1999. It took the name Motion Picture Institute in 2012.

From its beginning, the institute’s mission has been to provide training for students to learn their craft, associate with professionals and gain hands-on experience. Students vary in age, from recent high school graduates to adult working professionals.

“There are times when we are amazed at our longevity,” Schulze said. “But still, at its core, the school began with a mission statement to be an incubator for all types of filmmaking. That’s still true.”

For more information, visit motionpicture.edu.