Self-portrait

Kaplan’s journey involved turning the camera on himself to document his experience. At 48, he was diagnosed with a possibly deadly form of lymphoma, a cancer attacking the lymph nodes and immune system. He decided to create a project that became the film, “Not As I Pictured,” which isn’t the typically melancholy look at an experience with cancer, but an upbeat portrait.

“Not As I Pictured,” produced in collaboration with organizations such as American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Cancer Society, placed second in East Lansing’s Great Lakes Film Festival in October 2010, and received two CINE Golden Eagle awards. The film will be shown nationwide on PBS.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M, Chris Martin of Coldplay, David Bowie, Will.i.am and Justin Timblerlake contributed music to the soundtrack. There will be 10,000 free DVD copies given to anyone affected by cancer; orders — which include free shipping — can be placed at www.notasipictured.org.