Sorry to dissagree (we are aloud to do that here aren't we?) I've used just about every edit software out there is at least once. With one or two exceptions. I edited a 30sec commercial on Imovie shot with DV and it was fine. But there is somthing different between pasting a series of clips together and using a non-liniar edditng system.
FIRST is for inspiration and recognition of science and technology. Well Cheap and easy never inspires me. I am economical and I get the best deal I can but I look for the right tools not the free tools. Dean Kamen states that he hopes students are inspired by working side by side with professionals (engineers) to see how the Real World works. Not to see how the guy in the basement works. (PS I have my own business and work from my home so the above statement is about mentality not location) AVID and Media100 are the two leading editing stations for the Industry- so it only benifits you to use them over anything else. I never saw a real editor use anything else (as far a non-linear systems go) There are a few compositing systems like the Flame and such but they are soo expensive that they are few and fare between.
There was a lot of complaining going on after last years Championship Event. That Animation gets shafted every year. Well if you want to change that- Get some Production/Post-Production professionals involved on your team. Dont sit in the corner and hope someone notices you. Knock on some doors and get them interested. Ask for mentoring relationships with the Pro's. Most of them dont know you're there. I have trained dozens of people who came out of college and wanted to get into the graphics/animation/video field and most of them knew didly. Even with a degree. You guys need to step up and get real experience now not in 5years.
If you want to change the view of Animation start with your own attitudes. Are you part of the team or do you serve the team. I actually like to do both. But I have been a Mentor from this profession and I encourage other professionals to help out both physically and fiancially. My voice is heard on the entire team, not just with animation.
Animation is a Technology. It is only a small part of a larger profession. The more you understand each aspect of that profession the more you respect others for what they do, but the better you can serve your client base and/or company that you are a part of.
I got into this business as a 3D animator- my education is in Architectural Design. That was in 94. Now I can sit at an Avid and edit, I can sit at AfterEffects and Produce a show, I can sit at PhotoShop and do what ever I need to, design and maintain Websites, I do 3D work for Video and for Print (for Achitects and Developers), I program CDRoms for many Fortune 100 Companies. I am not bragging, I am telling you that I have the client base because of my scope of knowledge. Even if I never touch edit software, I need to talk to editors and give them what they need to finish a show. Even if I didnt produce CDRoms or Wed sites- I need to know how to design graphics to work in each environment. So Understanding the REAL tools of the industry is key to your success and the success of the FIRST Program.
Be FIRST Class in everything you do. As stated in previous posts, if you can only get this or that and you dont have much choice then dont be ashamed to use it. But this is OCT 3 2002, dont tell me you cant get something untill youve knocked on doors and asked for help. Your school may be able to purchase the software and it may not have to come out of your team's budget.
PS- I checked and
www.journeyed.com has student/faculty versions of AVID Express DV for $500 and School Versions for under $1000. If you want to add a capture card you can do that for as little as $100.