Making game prototype, need help

[Creepy Doll]

I plan on creating a simple 2D game prototype in Flash. The full game, should I ever get to making it will feature a ninja on a bloodshed quest of revenge personal ambition. His quest will take him through several different environments battling various enemies ranging from ninjas (a few different types) to wild beasts, pitchfork-wielding farmers and members of a gang in a modern city.
The prototype, however, will consist of a single screen's worth of backdrops, the ninja and a simple enemy. The controls will be simple (just like the full game), allowing for moving about, jumping, ducking, rolling and hacking away at the poor defenseless enemy with the ninja's sword.

This thread will serve as both a plea for help and guidance regarding actionscript and a progress report on the prototype.

The plea for help:

1. I don't know Actionscript. Help me. Link me to some fine tutorials! Yes I'm aware of Google, and am using it to get started, but chances are I'll miss out on some great tutorials you fine people may be aware of but are buried beneath tons of crap that might come up in a Google search.

2. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep checking the thread (or simply "subscribe" to it) as I'm sure once I get things rolling I'll have some specific questions.


Progress report:

All I've got so far is temporary art:
The background and a couple of animations:
<a href="http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1434/forestbackground2jl0.swf" target="_blank">http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1434/forestbackground2jl0.swf</a>
It's rough and not all that good (though I'm kinda proud of the background), but it'll do for the prototype.

Three wise men, an enemy, enemy vehicle and an aerial sword slash.
<a href="http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1796/stuffpf5.swf" target="_blank">http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1796/stuffpf5.swf</a>

Some concept work. Concept for the game's starting area in the lower right corner:
<a href="http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3212/stuff4hd9.swf" target="_blank">http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3212/stuff4hd9.swf</a>

[Cel]

How much do you know about programing in general? You know basic stuff like loops, ifs, classes, etc? Do know any Java Script?

[Creepy Doll]

I think I need to put this on hold until I've bought a book on programming, read it and done all the exercises.
Also I think I'm not doing this in Flash anymore. (except for the pretty pictures)

[Cel]

What are you gonna do it with then?

[Creepy Doll]

The game is moving forward!

I realized my inadequacy and asked a friend to help me on the programming side. The engine will be coded in Python (with Pygame) and the art will most likely be done in Flash rather than Photoshop. I've decided to start learning Python myself (though I doubt I'll be much help on the programming end... at least for this project).
My friend is in college at the moment and will be in Germany this Christmas so it's gonna be a while before we can truly get started on the game, but hopefully sometime next year things will be in some swing.

[Creepy Doll]

Still no movement on the coding side, but here's a little something I've been doodling for the project:


And I notice just now the lighting is about as inconsistent as it can be. Oh well.