Hello. I'm a beginner with CGI (prefer special effects over visual effects) but i have decided that my next short coming up is just too dangerous to film using special effects. It is a post-WWIII war movie, and i will need a lot of gunshot/rpg effects. being 13 years old, i have very little money due to the inability to get a job or get an allowance. Does anyone have any suggestion on what cheap/free programs to use?
(i have my mind set on this short, and i am qualified to make it [17 shorts] so please don't attempt to dissuade me from making it)

Here is a post I started on the same topic a while ago. Read through this for ideas --

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=6060

Thanks