Good video editing/animating software?

Question by Kip: Good video editing/animating software?
I have the typical Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Flash CS4 currently. I’m looking for something more professional. I want something that is easy like Movie Maker, but more advanced and refined.
I am making a movie with my friends and we need animated characters in it. I can do this using Flash but it is extremely difficult, and the output video looks really bad. I’d need to put the clips of my movie with our filmed scenes together in one program and then edit in the animated characters in another. I need it all to come out smooth and retain its good quality.
I would also appreciate being able to do some good quality effects. Not amazing stuff as our movie is supposed to be cheesy looking, but good enough.
I am willing to pay money for it!

Best answer:

Answer by Mr. Answerer II
I can’t help you with animations, but for effects I’d use Adobe After Effects and to edit, Sony Vegas 10.0 (which obviously cost total around $ 2000 bucks but you can get for free if you torrent >:D)

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