learn flash?

[akadis]

I figured this was the section to put this ...
Ive seen plenty of cool websites with flash galeries, flash movies...etc....So im wondering, whats the best way to go about learning flash? - 3rd party software? (i know macromedia Flash MX 2004 costs about $500 USD, and i dont have that kind of cash) are there any good tutorials? or is it simply not worth it to learn flash (i wouldnt add anoying flash baners etc... to my site, it would just be for making a movie someone could view or a photo gallery etc...)

any opinions would be great!

EDIT: i just saw this (http://forums.webdeveloper.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33136) thread and im going to check out what The Cheat suggested

[kricketbelle]

I'm interested in this as well, my job requires that I made tutuorial on the software we carry, and I really like what I have seen done with Flash. I am currently in contact with macromedia for trainning, they have 3 day courses available for $1000.00 beginners, and $1500.00 for advanced, but if there is another way to learn Flash, a good book someone can recommed, or anything thats less than $1500.00, would be great.

[Robert Wellock]

Try a local College course typically they will be nearer £50.00 for a term. $1000, what an expensive joke.

[kricketbelle]

That was $1000.00 Canadian...and I have been to College, and I was tought beginner's Flash, and Beginner's ActinScript. I need more advanced ActionScript, and Flash MX Professional now has movie capabilities that I need to learn.

[SLH]

Not sure on the cost but check out Swishmax at http://www.swishzone.com/
It might have something there you could use...