Since nobody posts on my forums... I figured I would add my two cents...
Dlitz,
The best advice I can offer you, not that you asked, is don't settle. Each one of us has a vision of a flick in our head, and the only one that has to be happy with it is you. You are never going to make something that everyone will love, there will always be someone that needs to add their two cents in, but I guess that is the price we pay for doing this.
The best way to learn is trial and error, I remember when I started, watching stuff that was made in IL-2. I was like "how the heck did they do that?" I would try to edit like they did to no avail.
Try baby steps first, then gradually get into the harder stuff. I learned that the hard way after editing for hours on something, having it not turn out like the other guys did.
I would say the most important part of a "Virtual" movie is the music... it sets the mood, whether it be rock, classical, or soundtrack... listen to it... find the high and low points in it, it will help on where you need to set up scenes at.
As for content of the movie, view and other things.. set it up in your head or on paper... watch the scene you want to set up before you record it in fraps. I myself watch stuff so much I get tired of it...
I am not trying to step on anyones toes, Alf and Zaphod are great movie makers.. you can learn a lot from them...
Stream