Mini Movies

I really wanna know how to make a mini movie icon. But the thing is, when it comes to using Image Ready i'm pretty hopeless, I have no idea how to use it. I also have Animation Shop but I can only make a flashing signature with it. Yeah i'm pretty hopeless aren't I!
What I was wondering was does anyone have a tutorial that will tell me, step by step, how to make a Mini Movie Icon, using either Image Ready or Animation shop.
Also, to screencapture I use VLC, how do i cap it so I can make the mini movie?
Sorry for being so difficult, but I gotta start somewhere, ^_^

Thanks.