be good at all basics before you do effects

I hate it when people put a preloader, on short animations.

Learn how to make a play button, god dammit.

Yeah, practice the basics first as AR said.. just practice lots and be prepared to waste many hours of your life. have fun with that. :>

hey, people have made whole livings as special effects animators, so I see nothing wrong with getting good at effects while you are getting better at actual animating. with that aside, you need to be more consistent with your frames, as they look sloppy.