Making a Promotional Video

[trikcard]

I'm an extreme amateur when it comes to Video Editing, although I learn fast and have been using programs like Illustrator and Photoshop for years.
I do stand-up comedy and am trying to put together a promo video for my packet to mail out. I want the normal special effects and things in it. I was wondering, which do you recommend After Effects 7 or Premiere Pro 2.0?
I've studied up on them and I can't tell much of a difference beyond Premiere is the obvious choice for longer videos due to the rendering. My promo video will only be between 2 and 5 minutes. Which of these would be better? This is probably the first of many videos I make, so I don't mind taking the time to learn a software if it will help me in the long run.

[guns1inger]

Premiere is an editor with some effects capabilities. After Effects is a motion graphics and effects compositing program. Yes, there is overlap in capabilities, but they are not the same thing.

The other thing to consider is how much is special effects, and how much is you. If you are showcasing your work, don't let it get overwhelmed by video trickery.

Personally, with your level of experience, I would suggest Premiere Elements or Vegas Movie Studio. They will do all the editing you need, without swamping you with things you don't.

[overloaded_ide]

I agree with guns1inger,

The other thing to consider is how much is special effects, and how much is you. If you are showcasing your work, don't let it get overwhelmed by video trickery.

Although you want it to be nice and it would be good if the clients viewing it enjoy it, that is quality of the content and quality of the video image and sound mostly, and you don't want allot of stuff detracting from the content which is what you are trying to actaully sell, YOU!

As a standup comic you won't be able to have video trickery on stage live. If your trying for a TV show, well that's differnt perhaps.

I once did a demo DVD for tiny band that wanted to get on stage as an opening act. They paid me to do all the fancy stuff, The feedback I got was the clients were more interested in who did the DVD for them than the band itself. Sometimes too good can be bad also perhaps? Although it should look professional of course, nice package and maybe a printed disk or other methode of labeling it, prefferably not hen scratch with a marker or crayon.