Recently, I started ripping my DVDs using handbrake into iTunes so I could watch them without going to the media library upstairs to find a movie.  Everything is now in my Apple TV.  This has led to me watching some older television shows such as Planet of the Apes: The TV Series.

Planet of the Apes was an interesting series.  It was by no means great, but its certainly not bad.  At least not by my standards.. (wink). As I was watching one of these shows, it occurred to me that there is practically nothing in this TV series that could not be duplicated by amateur filmmakers for very little cost.  In fact, I would venture to say that with the power of Final Cut, AfterEffects and High-Def Pro Camcorders that amateur made Planet of the Apes would be better than what was broadcast on TV in 1974!

So that begs the question.  Why are there so few amateur films on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.  Yes, I know there are some out there.  I know there are some really good ones out there too.  One of my favorites is Chad Vader.  But really, why aren't the video sites simply overflowing with amateur films?  They should be!  Instead they are overflowing with videos of someone's kid or cat.  Stuff that no one cares about and adds little value to anyone or anything.  Where are all the aspiring college kids?  Where all the college film school kids?  If I am just blind and missing the obvious, please point it out to me.